A Summer Like No Other

The righteous thrive like a palm tree and grow like a cedar tree in Lebanon.

Planted in the house of the Lord, they thrive in the courts of our God.

They will still bear fruit in old age, healthy and green, to declare,

“The Lord is just; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.”

(Psalm 92:12-15 CSB)

Aloha, Fellow Kupuna

What a timely promise from the Psalms to reflect upon and embrace!

With summer here, opportunities to spend time with family and friends – old and new – are sure to be on the rise with graduations and weddings to celebrate, and church fellowships and simple get-togethers to enjoy.

Why has God blessed us with each of these relationships? Is it so that we might be a reliable source of unconditional love and encouragement, a seasoned voice of wisdom and a ready help in times of need? Is it to be a grandchild’s greatest cheerleader, or a fountain of joy and laughter to rejoice with those who rejoice, and a compassionate ear and a shoulder to cry on for those who weep?

An emphatic yes and amen to all the above….

But more than anything, isn’t it that just as the Father sent Him, we’ve been sent by Jesus to bring hope and bear lasting, spiritual fruit by declaring the good news that “everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life”?

So as we look forward to catching up with loved ones and “talking story” into the night, let’s pray for each other that God would help us naturally include in our sharing the joy and peace of living life with Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.

As we do, we’ll surely thrive and enjoy a summer like no other!

To God be the glory,

Owen Tanoue