From the Pastor’s Desk
Pastor Bob Weidmayer
It’s the good old summertime! Finally, school is out, and we can get to the fun! As you contemplate your summer activities I urge you to stop and as a question. “What is the most important thing in your life?” I suspect most of you would respond like most Americans, “Family!” If that is the case, then let’s just reflect a moment. What do your actions say about your priorities?
Mark 6:31 Jesus tells His disciples “31 “Let’s go to a place where we can be alone to rest for a while.” Many people were coming and going, and Jesus and the apostles didn’t even have a chance to eat.”
Too often we allow the busyness of our schedules and summer to consume us. We are so caught up in the hustle and bustle of sports, work, recreation, and more that we neglect the one thing we said was the most important. Families are often divided as we hustle to get all the kids to their activities usually on the opposite parts of town! When was the last time you had the chance to sit down together at the same time in the same place and enjoy a meal together?
Some may protest; “Our children need these activities to grow, develop and achieve the success they desire!” While that may be true, what is the cost of such success? Actions follow what is valued. There are few things more compelling than being around a person who is passionate about an activity they pursue. The person eats, sleeps, drinks, and breathes it. When asked about what is important to them, you can almost see their spirit on fire as they describe their involvement. Actions follow what is valued. If you value “family”, how does it show? I’ll have some of that, that and that. When faced with a smorgasbord of recreational, educational, or job opportunities the first question should be, “Will my involvement support what I value most?” Most opportunities are worthy of our time and effort, but if they do not support that which is most important, is it worth it?
Summer is a great time to re-evaluate your actions. Are you spending the necessary time as a family to build good habits? Proverbs 22:6 tells us “Train a child in the way he should go, and even when he is old, he will not turn away from it.” Suddenly our overburdened, activity laden schedules become the norm and not the exception and we train our children and others around us that it’s okay to live such a life. This is where Jesus’ words quoted above are so important. A rough paraphrase might be “Let’s stop and take a breath and reconnect.” Those words are not just for His disciples but, ALSO FOR US!
I challenge you to take this summer and say “No” to the overabundance of stuff to do and say yes to that which we value most. Make a priority to come to church as a family either on Sunday or Wednesday night. Make a priority to sit around the table and enjoy a meal daily, no cell phones, no TV just talk. Make your marriage a priority and go on that walk, sit and enjoy the day, reconnect. It’s not too late even if your children are grown and on their own. Invite them over and re-establish the priority. Our actions follow what we value most. Do your actions show that you value God first, family second and all the activities to build us in our walk together?
“Let’s go to a place where we can be alone to rest for a while.” (Mark 6:31)
Serving Christ with you,
Pastor Bob Weidmayer +
St. John's Lutheran Church 