Good evening brethren and Happy Sabbath!

And in addition...

....Happy Summer! This week marks the end of the school year for our kids, which is it's own kind of special joy. You remember that don't you? That feeling when you took that last step off the bus and hit the ground running for the house?  For me, it meant long days, ice pops and spending time in my favorite playground - the great outdoors!

Truly a special time

As a kid, summers meant freedom.  And while adulthood means saying goodbye to carefree summers, there is a certain sense of relief and joy still that the summertime brings - assuming you have air conditioning....

While Solomon didn't have A/C, he knew what was good.  Although not speaking directly of summer, he does speak of the sun in Ecclesiastes 11:7 (NKJV), "Truly the light is sweet, and it is pleasant for the eyes to behold the sun."  He continues with a warning though in verses 8-9, "But if a man lives many years and rejoices in them all, yet let him remember the days of darkness, for they will be many. All that is coming is vanity.  Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth;  Walk in the ways of your heart, and in the sight of your eyes; But know that for all these God will bring you into judgment."  

Solomon reminds us to be mindful of what we will do, because we will be judged for it.  But he also says in essence, "Some day you will get old and won't enjoy things the way you used to, so enjoy life while you're young!

Have fun!

Summer time is the perfect time to do that, especially if you have children or grandchildren to enjoy it with.  God certainly expects us to obey His laws. But He also wants us to have fun. Make sure and take some time to make plans to enjoy your summer!