June 25, 2026

by | Jun 26, 2026 | PS from PS

ps from ps – Season FinaleYou can almost feel the excitement of the teachers.  I remember year after year, this very week, running out of a school building excited to launch into summer (and get home before my report card arrived to make “minor adjustments” if needed).  But clearly exceeding my excitement was the excitement and joy and relief of my teachers.  “No more Steve for two and half months!  Thanks be to God!”

I remember them holding the door as we ran toward home or boarded the bus (remember buses?  in the days before every kid got picked up and dropped off by parents??).  I seem to remember them wishing us well, encouraging us and sharing greetings of good health.  In all actuality, they were probably yelling: Don’t let the door hit you in the butt on the way out!”  

But let’s be clear though, those teachers invested into each student for months.  Through ups and down, hard lessons, poor behavior and a few laughs.  Clearly they wanted the best for all their students and hoped that the lessons that were taught actually sank in and would guide and shape the future of each student.  They were preparing each student to change the world.  They were hoping to create a future filled with hope.   

As we launch into summer and all that you and I have planned for the weeks and months ahead, I wonder what Jesus would be saying while standing at the door and holding it open as we stride forward.  Clearly he’s been with us through the hard lessons…the ups and downs…the bad behavior…and even some laughter.   We’ve sat through the classes where we’ve seen him feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the sick.  We’ve listened to the lectures on sharing grace, forgiveness and compassion.  We’ve been part of the labs where fish and bread were broken for more than we could have imagined and water was made into wine.  

So what must Jesus be thinking as we propel through those doors this summer?  Surely he has invested into us.  Surely he’s not just happy to get rid of us.  Surely he wants us to change the world.  And surely HE prepared a future filled with hope for us.  

If only we will live into it.

When we come to church throughout the year and walk out the doors at the end, it’s not the conclusion of the lessons.  It’s the start of the application.  As we finish a school year of faith, it’s not the end of the lab portion, it’s the beginning of the internship.  If we think that arriving at church for 45 minutes is the end game, we’ve missed the teaching point.  

As you go through those doors this week and enter into summer, hear Jesus’ wish for you: May the things we’ve experienced together this year become part of your very being.  May the things you’ve watched me do, the lessons I’ve shared with you and the instructions that I’ve given you be put into action today in a new summer-like way.  And may you, sent into the world, change that world and be the future filled with hope for it.

Lord, may this summer of worship and action in the world reflect what you taught us.  Amen


Still in One Peace,PS