June Pastor’s Pen

June Pastor's Pen

The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.

Proverbs 18:10

By the time you receive this edition of The Pastor’s Pen and read it, children will be out of school for their annual summer vacation. Streets and parking lots will have an increase in bicycle traffic. The pool will be crowded. Skateboarders will be surfing the concrete and asphalt. And there will be a lot of extracurricular activities that are fun but also have an element of danger.

 

 

Once in a while, I think it’s good to be reminded to keep safety at the forefront of our minds. Drive with some extra caution, anticipating a ball, a bike, a child unexpectedly entering your path. Keep your eyes on your child if you go to the pool or an ocean resort. Sparklers and fireworks can be fun and have their place; just remember we only get two eyes and ten fingers.

 

 

I used to have a church member who, every summer, would give a children’s story on water safety because he was a member of the community fire and rescue department and knew firsthand what a family goes through whenever there’s an accidental drowning. He’d always stress the importance of swim lessons and wearing a floatation device when waterskiing or aboard a boat.

 

 

It may seem strange for a pastor to use his/her space in the church newsletter as a bully pulpit for summer safety. But the Israelites depended on the LORD to be their safety and shield and I would much rather have my sheep safe than keep vigil at a hospital bed or officiate a funeral.

 

 

Think safety. What applies to children applies to adults. And when you’re driving, don’t forget to be on the lookout for scooters and motorcycles. Look left, look right, and look left again before you enter an intersection.

 

 

Have a safe summer!

 

Joel Nogle

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