Jesus and summer fun

Summer's here! You're so excited about wearing shorts and riding your bike that it's hard to think about being careful when you go to the park. You're having fun -- who cares about looking both ways before you cross the street?

Jesus would care. He loved to have fun, but He also asked people to follow some rules -- like loving each other. In this week's Gospel (John 14:15-16,23-26), He talks about that.

"If you love me, do what I tell you," Jesus said. "Then I'll ask God the Father to send the Holy Spirit to be with you. God will live in the heart of whoever listens to me, and the Holy Spirit will help you remember what I taught after I go back to heaven."

You and Jesus both know that there are a few rules we all have to follow so we don't get hurt. You know about wearing a helmet and looking out for cars; Jesus talked about following the Ten Commandments and loving each other.

After you leave home to go to the park, you have to keep yourself safe. Nobody's going to run next to your bike, yelling out all the rules you should follow! But with Jesus, things were different. Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to help us remember His rules. When we're not sure what to do about something, we can always pray about it.

Summer is a time to have fun, whether you're riding your bike or playing at the park. But it's always a good time to think about Jesus' rules and love other people.

If Jesus were riding bikes with you, He'd always look before He crossed the street!

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK: Holy Spirit, help me remember the rules Jesus asked me to follow -- and the ones that keep me safe! Amen.

(05-28-98) [[In-content Ad]]