~This Summer~

For us BCA-ers, summer is here! After an intense year of busy-ness, homework, sports, tests, and all that, we can finally have a couple months to slow down. But here's the thing: the summer can really have an impact on our relationship with God. Let me give you a couple scenarios to explain what I mean.

One summer, this girl was out of her Christian school. She was away from the Bible classes, her friends, and she spent the summer alone a lot. This had a big impact on her. She began to think a lot about things she shouldn't, didn't spend too much time with God, and spiritually drifted. She started to think a lot about herself, and developed a lot of identity issues. When she went back to school, she was a mess and she knew it. That summer was a bad one for her, because she was not cautious and aware of how easily she could get off track.

The following summer, this girl remembered what had happened last summer, and she was determined to grow spiritually and prepare herself for the next year of school. She disciplined herself to stay away from things that she knew would get her off track, she spent a lot of time with God, and she was careful not to allow herself to slip into the same sinful habits. This time, when she came back to school, she was well-focused spiritually and had grown so much since the previous year.

Those were my last two summers--the summer of seventh grade and eighth grade. I know well how much summer and not being so busy every second can affect you if you let it. This summer, I am determined to spend a lot of time with God and growing spiritually. I encourage you all to do the same! This summer, spend time getting to know God and grow in your love for Him, and don't get distracted by all the extra time you have.