Ah, summertime. A time of rest, relaxation, and recreation; a time of sunshine, warm breezes, high humidity and mosquito’s. Summer is a great time to remove oneself from the ordinary routines of life and rediscover that one actually has a life. As students in school, we called this summer vacation. As adults, we call this a much-needed break from reality.
Whatever you call it, summer is a great time to break away from our busy lives. Whether we go far away or stay close to home, it’s an opportunity to just “go” and do something different. Sometimes, that’s all we need to break up the monotony of our habits. Sometimes, a little break is what we need to reconnect with ourselves and our Creator.
I’m often asked if there is a prayer that families can use as they journey off on their adventures. (As a child, I remember our family praying in the car as we began our vacation – a practice we still keep to this day.) I like to suggest that you pray together Psalm 121 – A Pilgrimage Song:
I lift up my eyes to the mountains;
from where shall come my help?
My help shall come from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
He will keep your foot from stumbling.
Your guard will never slumber.
No, he sleeps not nor slumbers,
the guardian of Israel.
The Lord your guard, the Lord your shade
at your right hand.
By day the sun shall not smite you,
nor the moon in the night.
The Lord will guard you from evil;
he will guard your soul.
The Lord will guard your going and coming,
both now and forever.
May the Lord keep you safe on your journey, and may you be strengthened in body, mind, and spirit so that upon your return, you may be ready to carry out your mission in life. Amen.
