Doug Creamer: Here Comes Summer

Published 12:00 am Saturday, July 1, 2017

I can’t believe that it’s almost the Fourth of July. While the weather this past week was pleasant, we all know that summer heat is on the way. With all the recent rain our gardens could probably use some warm summer sun to help ripen those tomatoes and to bring on the corn. Some people are beginning to enjoy a harvest from their gardens. I had a slow start this year and there is a certain fat bunny that has been slowing my progress.

The Fourth of July always signals the arrival of watermelons. My mouth is watering at just the thought of a good, sweet melon. The Fourth is also a time for family gatherings. My family used to gather at my house when we lived near Faith. We would go to the Faith Fourth Festival for a few hours and then head back to my house for an epic water fight. We would all get soaked and then fire up the grill for dinner.

Now my family gathers at my brother’s house where there will be basketball games, some billiards, plenty of good food and then going to watch the fireworks. The water fights have ended but there is still plenty of laughter as we get the chance to be together as a family.

Summer’s arrival means that most people will be heading to the beach. We are looking forward to our chance at getting away. I feel bad for all the people who already made their trek and had to deal with all the recent rain. Hopefully everyone will be able to get away and unwind in their favorite places.

Summer also means many of us will find an escape in a good book. I love reading a good book and allowing the author to take me on wild adventures to faraway places. Ironically, I started my first summer book and the exotic place I have been transported to is Charlotte. Can you believe it, Charlotte! Maybe the author will send the main character on some adventure before the book ends.

One day before school let out I saw the assistant principal reading a book. The title intrigued me so I asked about it. It was a book on how to be a better leader in education. She asked if I had heard of the author’s other book about being a better teacher. I hadn’t but I think I may order it. Even after 32 years in the classroom I still think there are still ways I can improve my skills as a teacher.

I believe there are always ways to grow and improve. The same applies to my spiritual life. I have been walking with the Lord for many years, but I know that I can still grow and become better. I try to give everything to God because I know if it is under His control it will be better for me. What I can’t figure out is why I keep trying to take areas back. Will I ever learn?

I think part of the problem is learning to wait on God. I believe that most of us think we can do it faster and better. I believe we fail to understand that God is working behind the scenes to bring about what is best for us. What is best for us is something we can’t perceive from where we are right now. It comes back to a trust issue; do we really believe that God has our best interest at heart?

I have been reading in the Old Testament recently and I read over and over how the people keep walking away from God. It takes an enemy attack or some tragedy to turn the hearts of people back to God. I don’t want to live like that. While I struggle and make plenty of mistakes along the way, I want to pursue God with all my heart. I want to learn from my mistakes and grow spiritually strong. I want to glean from the scriptures the wisdom of God. I want my heart to always be hungry for His presence.

I want to encourage you to draw closer to God. None of us has all the answers but we can encourage each other as we each seek to draw closer to God. There is so much more to discover about God. We could learn something new every hour of every day and still not know all about God. Let’s choose to never give up on learning or growing in our faith. Let the summer fun begin and the learning about God never end.

contact Doug at doug@dougcreamer.com