This week’s blog is written by Tina Bentley, a member of the LWML IT committee who faithfully receives my blog postings.

Patti

As we enter summer it conjures images of sun, beaches, lazy days, and children on break from school. I am a teacher in the homestretch of my school year, I am looking forward to my summer. I look around my school and I see tired teachers, staff, and students who are ready for a break from the routine of school. Most of the students and staff are eager to leave school and embrace their summer freedom.

However, a few students seem moodier than usual and not quite themselves.  What is going on? I thought all kids lived for their break from school? Are they tired like the other students? Yes. What’s the issue? Many students have a hard time transitioning from school to summer. That might seem strange, isn’t summer the best time of the year for students? Not for all of them.  Summer can be a time of uncertainty for many students in our communities. School is a place of safety and routine and gives many students a sense of security. This is where they know they will be cared for and fed each and every day.  Summer is a season of uncertainty. Will they have food to eat? Will they have someone to care for them throughout the day? Where will they spend their days? 

What does that mean for us as ladies of the LWML? How can we impact these children in our communities? How can we share Jesus with these vulnerable children? Here are some ideas:

• Talk with your local schools and other community organizations to see what programs they have in the summer where you can offer your services.
• Volunteer for your congregation’s VBS, perhaps offer to take neighborhood children who wouldn’t be able to attend otherwise.
• Volunteer to help with the libraries summer program
• Donate to your local food bank, they need the donations in the summer as well. They might even have a summer program for students. 
• Contribute to or start a fund to send local children to summer camp for a week
• Host an open gym or other activity with your society., perhaps partnering with your youth group

Use this summer as a way to share the love and comfort of knowing Jesus to children who desperately need it.

The ultimate freedom comes from knowing the love of Jesus. We don’t need to go out of the country or even out of the county to share the love of Jesus with children.  Share Jesus with the children in your community, they need it so much as we all do. We have freedom in Christ, which is much better than the freedom from school.

Tina Bentley
Guest Blogger