As we enter into the busy summer season, we are excited about upcoming plans to get out and enjoy our brief and glorious summer months in New England. Whether opening up the pool or airing out the cottage; getting the boat back out in the water or planting our gardens, there is certainly no shortage of activities to keep us occupied! I for one, am looking forward to seeing friends and family, whether they are coming to visit me, or I am traveling to see them.

One upcoming trip for me is to my college reunion at The College of Wooster in Ohio in mid-June. Three of my girlfriends and I plan to spend the weekend together in our old stomping grounds, catching up on life over the past….several years, and getting reacquainted with our classmates. There are some friends with whom you feel that no time at all has passed since you last saw one another, and you can just pick up right where you left off. That kind of friendship is a gift, something to be cherished and nurtured.

How do we stay connected to those who are important to us, especially in a time when many people move several times throughout their lives, and often live far away from the people and places they called “home” when they were younger? There are certainly better ways of staying in touch now than in earlier days, with technological advances allowing us to reach people at the touch of a button, video chat with people across the miles, and across the ocean, and stay “friends” with people on Facebook. But nothing beats that face-to-face time, where we can just be ourselves and have a nice, long conversation with someone we haven’t seen in a while.

It can be like that in our walk with Jesus as well. Sometimes, we get so busy and distracted by all the things that are going on in our lives that we forget to take that time to check in with Jesus, whether through prayer, scripture study, or worship. But when we do get some time to ourselves and spend a few moments in conversation with Jesus, we find that we can pick right up where we left off. And we don’t have to schedule time in advance, Jesus is always ready for that talk, whenever we need it. So, in the midst of what I hope will be a full and enjoyable summer, remember to take some time to nurture your relationship with Jesus, in ways that are meaningful to you. Connect with him through nature, in times of quiet prayer and solitude, and in the middle of life’s celebrations and difficulties. He’s waiting for you.

Wishing you a blessed summer,
Pastor Trina