In the Heat of Summer – Cool as a Cucumber

Well, we’ve reached the half-way point (or more!) of summer! Parents, how are we feeling?  Exhausted? Stressed? Calm and cool as a cucumber?  I know that a lot of you are not falling in the “Calm and cool as a cucumber” bucket because I have talked with you!  Or rather, commiserated with you!

This past Saturday, many families of Peace spent the day basking in the sun of Water World.  It was HOT! I observed friendships grow, fun inside jokes being made, and maybe dare I say, even some relaxation?!  But there was one thing I really noticed, and it wasn’t something I saw.  As I sat there at lunchtime, waiting for kids to come check in, these thoughts began to sneak into my head – “This is so fun!  I should do more of these outings! It’s so great to see everyone having fun together. I need to get my kids going on our Math at home.  I need to plan more playdates for my kids. I need to get my daughter’s transcript finished. When was the last time I cleaned the bathroom – I need to do that!  I need to buy dog food.  I need to get the Children’s Ministry closets cleaned out. I need to make a detailed meal plan for our meals for the next 6 months. I need to choose the most fantastic Sunday School curriculum ever invented! I need to host dinners for ALL of my friends before the kids get back into school.  I need to……..”

And then it hit me.  STOP!  What started as a small list of things I was thankful for turned into all the things I NEED to do.  Or so I thought.  Who was telling me I NEEDED to get all these things done? After all, they were all good things! All things that would make me feel organized, ready for whatever came my way, and the perfect Mom!  But were these things something I NEEDED to do?! It was a big reality check. 

I can’t do it all!

I don’t have to do it all!

What is most important!?

In our world today, there is so much pressure for parents to do ALL THE THINGS!   All the sports teams, all the activities, all the classes, all the theme-based birthday parties, (You know what I’m talking about……. Pinterest Moms! 😊 ) all of the family nights- ALL OF IT!  You are made to feel like a failure if you don’t do all these things…. Or can’t do them all!

The reality is, we can’t find our true worth in anything but Jesus! No matter how many “to-do’s” you put on your plate AND accomplish, you will never get there.  The only way to “get there” is to have Jesus in front of you guiding you.  If you are feeling like a failure or just plain exhausted, please remember that you have a Lord and Savior that thinks you are “Cool as a cucumber” and will never leave you!  In the midst of crazy schedules and the hot days, take the time needed to rest and take care of yourself – because you can’t pour from an empty cup.  And remind yourself that your kids will not actually fall apart if they don’t have their entire summer planned out for them.  I promise! Let your kids be bored – I dare you! 😊 

 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  Matthew 11:28-30

Amy Bomareto, Children’s Ministry Coordinator