Summer Time Reflections

Long days.
Short nights.
Sunshine.
Warm weather.

School holidays.
Vacations.
Barefoot.
Squirt guns.

Ice Cream.
Watermelons.
Fresh vegetables.
Cookouts.

Chasing butterflies.
Catching fireflies.
Rolling in the grass.
Hide and go seek.

Family reunions.
Vacation Bible School.
Summer Camp.
State Fairs.

All of these activities and more are associated with summer. And according to the calendar, today is the official, first day of summer. In fact, to be more precise, here’s what USA Today says about summer’s beginning.

The first day of summer in 2022 is Tuesday, June 21, but there’s a more precise moment that astronomical summer will begin in the Northern Hemisphere. That’s at 5:14 a.m. EDT on Tuesday, which marks the 2022 summer solstice.

This is the precise moment when the North Pole tilts closest to the sun, making the sun appear at its highest point in the sky of the year.

At that moment on Tuesday, the sun will be directly above the Tropic of Cancer. That’s the farthest north the sun moves in the sky, which is why the days close to the solstice have the most daylight of the year.

Some people call it “the longest day,” but to be precise, it’s the day with the most daylight because every day has 24 hours.

That’s more than you wanted to know, isn’t it?

However, reading that causes me to ask “How do we know that? How can we be so precise?”

Of course, the answer is found in what we call the “laws of nature.” Just like we can chart the tides, or forecast the various stages of the moon, we can know the beginning of the seasons.

What we call “the laws of nature,” or the “law of science,” is actually the laws put into practice by our Creator. “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Gen. 1:1).

God made summer. And Fall. And Winter. And Spring.

Following the Genesis flood, God offers the promise to Noah.

While the earth remains,
Seedtime and harvest,
Cold and heat,
Winter and summer,
And day and night
Shall not cease.”
–Gen. 8:22

The exactness of our seasons, a full moon, or a high tide reminds us there is God. He is alive. He’s the Creator. And we’re the created.

Furthermore, it’s good to remember as we enjoy summer activities not to leave God out of our plans. Here are a few suggestions.

♦Make good use of your time to create fond memories for your family.

♦Enjoy nature. Remind your children that the beauty of our world from the majestic mountains, to the lush valleys, and to the sandy beaches were created by God.

♦Take advantage of churches in your area that offer a Vacation Bible School for your children. Or maybe a special summer series.

♦Be a good steward of your family finances. Don’t overspend.

♦Be sure your activities don’t conflict with your spiritual values.

♦When traveling, don’t skip church services. Find a local church to attend worship. You will be encouraged. And so will the brethren.

♦Send your kids to a summer camp that promotes Christian values.

♦Slow down a bit. And enjoy time with your family.

♦Spend a little time every day in prayer. Bible reading. And sharing a Bible story with your kids.

♦Every day remember–“This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it” (Ps. 118:24).

Have fun. And have a great summer.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman