It’s that time of year again! Time for FUN in the SUN! What many of us don’t realize is that there are object lessons in the details, beach bags included. Many moms often find summertime challenging in regards to family time devotionals, so why not use what’s on everyone’s mind to see Jesus.
We wouldn’t dream of going to the pool/beach without the “essential” supplies, and it just so happens that many of these “summer time sundries” serve as spiritual reminders as well! Why not take the opportunity to teach the littlest beach bums a lesson or two?
Let’s have a look inside a typical beach/pool bag and see what we pull out!
It’s in everyone’s bag. It’s on everyone’s mind. Sunscreen is the topic of the day. The ongoing debate over SPF is even in the news. It’s often the first thing to go into our pool bag.
Sunscreen / SPF
While the initials traditionally stand for SUN PROTECTION FACTOR, let’s change that “S” to SATAN and begin a discussion about who Satan is and why we need protection. Even the littlest beachcombers will understand that we need to be “protected” from the enemy that seeks to steal & destroy. If we aren’t careful, he’s ready to BURN us! I’m calling it SUMMERTIME ARMOR!
“Put on the FULL ARMOR of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”
Ephesians 6:11, NIV (emphasis added)
Water Bottles
It’s easy to get dehydrated in the scorching summer sun; a water bottle is handy and healthy to have along. It’s also a reminder of where the “living water” can be found. Another great mini lesson in the simplest of water bottles-forgetting to pack the water makes everyone miserable and forgetting the “living water” makes us miserable too!
“Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.”
John 7:38, NIV
A Few toys, like a SAND SHOVEL or RAFT
These are essential if you are “pooling or beaching it” with young and older children alike! Throwing in a simple sand shovel serves as another reminder…Be careful where you “build that sandcastle” they are prone be destroyed by incoming waves, while the ever-present “raft” named Jesus is always waiting to keep us afloat.
“But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”"
Matthew 7: 26-27, NIV
Flip Flops
YES! There is even an object lesson in those fanciful, colorful FUN shoes.
The message in the flip flops is unmistakable. Walking in the footsteps of Christ is ever on my mind as I glance down at my “flip flopped” feet. Flip flops are an object lesson girls love! It’s a great afternoon activity to use fabric and decorate a pair to serve as a reminder to look down and be reminded to “walk like Jesus.”
“Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.”
Proverbs 9:6, NIV (emphasis added)
Umbrella
Living in the south, summer storms can be unpredictable! Arriving at the beach to see that all of the “umbrella chairs” have been taken is another reason to bring an umbrella along. Traveling with an umbrella is always wise!
No doubt, another reminder and lesson to share with our children is found in that umbrella. What a better way to remind our children that HE is our “shelter in the storm.”
“I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.”
Psalm 61:4, NIV (emphasis added)
Sunglasses
Essential for eye protection. Why not seize the opportunity to talk about how important our VISION is. The sunglasses can remind us where our eyes need to be “fixed.” Forgetting that can make for a miserable day!
“But my eyes are fixed on you, O Sovereign LORD; in you I take refuge”
Psalm 141:8, NIV (emphasis added)
These summer essentials are indeed life~essentials. This summer as we pack up the USUAL items, why not use them as a launching place for some family devo time. Often times we forget to see the lessons that the Lord lays right in front of us and we try to re-invent the wheel when it comes to family time devotionals. This summer, paying a little bit of extra attention to “what’s in YOUR bag” just may help you and your family carve out some special family devotional time.
I love the analogous content of this post! Thank you!
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Love this, dear Lori. Super object lessons – ALL over the place. Off to unpack my bag too!
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So fun! Love it, Lori!
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excelent! I will use it today for my family devo. Ilove it GBU.
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Awesome! What a great post
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