The last day of the school year has come and gone. You are now enjoying three months of vacation bliss-sipping iced tea on the deck or reading that Christian novel you have been wanting to read all winter-at least that is what your students probably think. Unlike yourself, they don't know that their last day of school was not your last day. You started your vacation about two weeks later, after you finalized all the grades and cleaned out the ol' desk. Then when you take into account the month of preparation you'll use for the next year, you just have one month to sit back and relax instead of three.

So use your time wisely.

Focus on your family
Teachers and administrators have the wonderful privilege of teaching and mentoring many children during the school year. Unfortunately, this privilege can cause us to overlook our family's need for our time and attention. Teachers are planners and organizers by nature, so use that gift to make this summer the best your family has ever had! Go on that fishing trip with your son, plant a garden with your daughter, make breakfast-in-bed for your spouse. Just plan something and enjoy the fellowship!

Focus on having fun
Having fun can energize even the most serious-hearted souls! When was the last time you had fun? What do you consider to be fun? Proverbs 17:22 gives us the advice that, "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones." Have you always had a dream of doing some activity that you thought would be fun? Maybe it's time to give it a try! Doing something fun will put a spring in your step and joy on your face.

Focus on your faith
Jesus is the perfect example of getting away. He took time away from his ministry to commune with His Father. Luke 5:15-16 says: "But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear and to be healed by him of their infirmities. And he withdrew himself into the wilderness and prayed." Spiritual renewal and strengthening comes by taking time to pray and read God's Word. God will bless us with the energy to face the coming year if we follow Jesus' formula of quiet time with God.