Vacation Time

Vacation Time

   Do you remember your parents saying to you when you were small; “You’re tired, I think you should go to bed.” Oh, we didn’t like to hear that because going to bed meant going to sleep and if we went to sleep we might miss something.” Well, maybe we are a bit too old to remember the things our parents said to us but I’m certain we remember saying it more than once to our children. An explanation for bad behavior was being over-tired. So what does this have to do with the title of my blog, Vacation Time? Well, vacation time is time mean to rest from our daily work alcoholic routine. They use to say that a man could give you a long list of reasons why he had to work 24 hours a day. With the number of women in the working force increasing everyday I am certain that they could give you a long list of reasons for remaining late at the office as well. Hey, no matter how young or how old we are we all need a break because we all get tired and like children when we get tired we get cranky.  If we don’t slow down and get some R&R (Rest and Relaxation) God has a way of slowing us down. You see, God made a human being not a machine and our bodies will crumble from too much work and too much stress. We call the crumbling burnout, breakdown, stress attack and worse still, heart attack. Suffering in this way  is a difficult way to learn a lesson that we need to slow down so why don’t we simply take the advice that we find in Jesus’ word to the disciples in Mark 6:31. He said to them, “Come away to a quiet place and rest awhile.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.

   You can take a vacation anytime of the year and that’s fine but the important thing is to take one. Many will take a break in the summer time because the children are out of school. Our children “flew the nest” some time ago but Jill and I still like to take a vacation. Bermuda is a great place to spend your holidays but we live and work here SO in just a couple of weeks we are travelling to Florida. Although vacations can be taken anywhere I really think it is important to get away to someplace different. Remember, Jesus didn’t say to the disciples, “I think you are tired so have a nap.” No, Jesus said, “Come away.” I hope that all of you reading this blog are able to get away for a few days and that you will enjoy a time of sightseeing, swimming, playing golf etc. etc. Vacations are great times to rest and to enjoy doing things together with those whom you love. Vacations are a time to come together before breaking apart!

   When you are enjoying your vacation please remember one thing and that is that Jesus went with his disciples He didn’t stay behind. Take Jesus with you don’t leave Him at home. Remember, it is a break from our work from daily routine not from the Lord and his church. Don’t be like the little girl who overheard her parents speak of vacation plans and who said in her prayers that night; “God, we are going on vacation see You when we get back.” ENJOY YOUR HOLIDAYS BECAUSE YOU DESERVE THEM.

Rev. John

MISSING

MISSING

It was printed in big bold red letters – Missing. You found it on signs throughout the Island; wrapped around light poles, posted on the ferry boats, beside the road, on rock walls and even on the back window of my car! The signs with the big bold letters “Missing” have been seen around the Island for almost two months. What is missing? Not what is missing but who is missing. Bill Grange came to the Island with his wife to visit and to rest and to enjoy the beauty that Bermuda has to offer. However, one evening he told his wife that he was going for a walk and for almost two months he has not been seen. Bill suffers from short term memory loss which makes his disappearance that much more serious. Suffering from short term memory loss and needing medication the search for him has been intense. Family members arrived from Ontario and along with volunteers from across the Island, the police with their search dogs and members of the Bermuda Regiment the Island from tip to tip was covered more than once. Prayer services were held for Mr. Grange and his family. I wish I could say that they found him alive and confused but I can’t. Mr. Grange is still missing and I know that many are still praying but his disappearance remains a mystery. SO, to the locals who continue to see the signs and to those of you who are reading this blog I ask for your prayers for the Grange family.