Mission trips, family vacations, summer camps, blockbuster movies, summer jobs, pool parties and just hanging out with friends — all activities awaiting teens this summer. Many teens have worked long and hard all year not only to complete school assignments but also to participate in extracurricular activities, vie for scholarships, work part-time jobs and help with volunteer work. Rest and downtime are just as important as work and school. The summer break provides an opportunity to rest, experience a change of pace and do things we don’t have time to do during the school year.

Lazy days or summer craze

It is easy to fill our summer weeks with all sorts of fun camps, trips, events and plans. But sometimes we risk overscheduling ourselves during the very time that was meant for rest and relaxation. With summer breaks being roughly ten weeks long, and parents somewhat in charge of schedules, it is easy for teens to feel overbooked even during the summer. Hopefully, while participating in all the fun activities, teens will reserve time to relax on the beach, lounge by the pool, enjoy a few blockbuster movies or rest after a not-so-tiring hike with a picturesque view.

Rest and refresh

The change of pace and summer-only activities can be enough to help even the busiest teens feel more relaxed. Now, more than ever, it is important for us to encourage teens (and parents) to follow the example God modeled of including days of rest along with days of work. Teens may need to negotiate with parents to create the downtime that will help them relax and feel refreshed. And parents may not always consider video games or shopping at the mall to be as relaxing as teens do. But, whatever activities teens choose, time away from school to rest and relax will help them feel refreshed and ready to return to school at the end of the summer.

Question of the day: What are you most looking forward to this summer?
Focal scriptures: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8; Psalm 16; Exodus 23:12

For a complete lesson on this topic visit LinC.