It's June, and summer is in full swing! You may be gearing up for a family vacation, busy sports schedules, or taking trips to the pool. Now that the weather has turned warmer, and summer schedules have loosened up, we're all looking for fun things to do with our friends and families. You've probably already started your bucket list for the summer.
Popular bucket list items for Summer 2021:
- Sky diving
- Attend an outdoor concert or movie
- Visit a national park
- Go to a fair or festival
- Snorkel somewhere tropical
The choices are endless, and you can't go wrong adding any of these activities to your summer agenda. However, if we're not careful before you know it the summer will have flown by and we'll realize although we made lots of memories, we have neglected the most important relationship in our lives - the one with God. Just as our family and friend relationships require time and attention, so does our relationship with God. One shouldn't be traded for the other - they can both be tended to and nurtured at the same time if we take the time to plan and think ahead.
20 Ways to Make the Most Out of Your Summer
Whatever your stage of life, there's something on this list for everyone. Our bucket list includes activities you can do alone or with others that will both help you make memories and deepen your relationships with God and help you have a great summer. The key is to be intentional with your activities, yet give yourself some grace and be flexible when your plans change.
- Take a road trip - and sing loudly in the car.
- Forget about all the days you’ve missed on your Bible reading plan. Pick up with the schedule this summer and stick with it. Or, how about spending Summer in the Psalms?
- Play kickball on a field with friends.
- Drive with the windows down, and keep the windows open at night.
- Choose 12-15 verses to memorize. Work on one a week. If memorization isn't your thing, choose a couple of books for the Bible and decide to read through them by the end of the summer.
- Go to a baseball game.
- Catch fireflies at dusk or go fishing at a local lake.
- Dedicate a day, morning, afternoon, or nature walk in prayer.
- Make plans to watch Space Jam 2! Or your family's favorite movie on-demand or at the theatre!
- When you’re driving on road trips, don’t feel bad about stopping at McDonald’s or your guilty fast-food choice (mine is CULVER’S!)
- Keep track of how many hot dogs or burgers you eat or how many times you eat Chick-fil-A - and no judging!
- Run/walk or support a friend doing a 5k.
- Go to a parade; watch fireworks on the Fourth of July.
- Check Instagram a lot less. Spend less time on YouTube or video games.
- Go outside. Go for a run. Take a walk. Give thanks to God for his creation!
- Read a book just for fun. Read a book by someone who’s no longer alive.
- Stop by the nursing home, hospital, or assisted living center and spend time with someone who would love a visitor. (Check with the facility about their restrictions first.)
- Go swimming.
- Invite a friend to church.
- Buy ice cream with a waffle cone. Or a Sundae. Or two. Share it with a friend.
Make Your Own Bucket List
I hope this list will get you thinking about how you plan to spend your summer, and that it will help spur new ideas or remind you of things you've always wanted to do, and just haven't gotten to yet. And, I hope that during the sunshine-filled days and bonfire glowing nights, you'll set aside some time for the one that made it all possible. Remember, God can use all of these activities to grow us as friends, families, and followers of Jesus.
Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17
Whatever you do this summer, remember that you can glorify God by enjoying time well spent with your family at home and faith family at Berean! This list was meant to inspire you to reach out to friends, spend time with your family, and to not take a vacation away from the local church. We would love to see you ALL summer long!
