Wait! Before you go on Spring Break – Remember who you are taking with you.  Not just your friends, a couple of parents, or someone that is being called your chaperone.  If you are a believer, you take Christ with you wherever you go.  He likes the beach too.  Okay, okay, and the mountains.  I just prefer the beach, so I know He goes with me there. 

C – is for Christ who died for your sins so that you could have everlasting life. Whoa. Everlasting. Like forever.  Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  His death covered a multitude of sins!

H – is for our eternal home, heaven.  I, personally, cannot wait.  But heaven is only granted to those who love the Lord and keep his commandments.  Some say, I’ll get to that later.  John 14:2 “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.” He promises a place for ME! Just for ME – and for YOU! But are we only willing to be obedient when it is convenient for us?

R – is for the blessing of redemption.  Isaiah 40-43 is probably one of my favorite passages.  Isaiah 43:1 “But now, thus says the Lord, your Creator, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine!”  He redeemed ME on the cross and I am HIS.  What a promise for ourselves and our children.  Oh, and did you get that, He FORMED you.  Your DNA is specific! And hey, I met the man who discovered DNA ~ seriously, he’s still alive.

I – is for intelligence.  God gave us a wonderful mind that allows us to be creative, allows us to come before Him at any time, but He also gave us the ability to make our own choices.  Will you make wise decisions?  You might think that it will stay right where you are, in that moment in time.  But a wrong decision can follow you the rest of your life.  Ecclesiastes 10:2 “A wise man’s heart directs him toward the right, but the foolish man’s heart directs him toward the left.”  Listen to your heart; your gut.  Do not hesitate to say – I can’t do this.  I had to make a decision like this recently and it was hard, but I know God will honor my obedience.  And there were others praying for me.

S – is for satan.  We all are susceptible to temptation.  Jesus was tempted.  But how will you handle temptation?  Satan will discourage you, entice you, and destroy whatever joy you may have in Christ.  You can be having the best time and BAM! What just hit me?! I wasn’t even paying attention!  That’s the point.  It’s because he knows how to destroy.  John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”  Have a great time, but don’t let satan steal the joy of your salvation.  Dance in the sun, sing in the rain, but be mindful of the sincere faith within you. 

T – is for your testimony.  What does your testimony say about you? Others know and they can tell a difference when your testimony changes.  The change might be just slight, but enough that HIS light is not as bright as it has been.  You know what Christ has done for you. It might be that you need to tell someone else what Christ has done for you.  REALLY done for you.

I debated about saying anything about spring break because I didn’t want anyone saying to me that I was just upset because Trey was not able to go on spring break.  That’s not it at all, actually. He’s on PERMANENT spring break! There are loved ones that are already in college that have experienced spring break two times over that I am more concerned about.  My plea is that parents will remind their children to stand up for Christ, in ALL things, knowing He will bless their endeavors.  And it doesn’t have to be during spring break! 

My prayer is that your spring break will be fun, spent with friends that you trust, and doing what you love to do whether it is laying on a beach or fishing from a lake.  I will also be praying for my own family who is traveling to Disney without Jay and me.  Collin with have a blast with his Aunt Donna and Uncle Bill.  I made the remark that it just won’t be the same.  Collin so wisely said, “No, but we’ll make new memories and not forget the old.”

Go out and make memories! Special memories that you would not be ashamed to have Christ tag along.  Oh, and I’d like a Florida shell please.