Giving you a break

Jesus, help me spend my summer relaxing -- and practicing what I've learned! Amen

"I have much more to tell you, but it will be too confusing right now," Jesus told His followers after a long day of teaching. "When the Holy Spirit comes, He will explain everything I've said to you, so you'll understand it better. Then you'll be closer to God."

Summer vacation is so close, you can barely stay in your seat at school! All you want is to be outside in the warm air and hot sun.

Having time off in the summer gives kids a break from all the time you spend in school the rest of the year. It's like the vacations your parents take from work: It gives them a chance to relax and "recharge their batteries."

Even Jesus knew that people need a break from school or work sometimes: In this week's Gospel (John 16:12-15), He gives His followers a break from listening to Him!

Summer vacation seems to arrive just when you feel like you can't learn one more thing: Your brain is full! You've spent the year with homework and tests, and it's finally time to stop for a while.

The minds of Jesus' followers must have felt full sometimes, too. Jesus knew He wouldn't be on the Earth for long, so He spent entire days teaching them how God wanted people to live and treat each other. Jesus shared so many new ideas, it must have been hard to remember them all after a while!

Summer vacation is for relaxing, but it's also for learning in a different way. Having time off from school lets you think about what you've learned, and start to use it.

If you spent the year practicing reading, get some great books out of the library! And if you spent time learning about God, summer is a good time to work not on homework, but on treating people like God wants you to.