“Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
— Matthew 6:34
Happy summer! Here is some simple but direct advice on how to make the most of this season. Beach more and worry less. I see these words every day while resting on my patio or splashing around in my pool. I purchased the fun sign to remind me that our Lord spent a lot of time by the water, including his time of rest and prayer. As a matter of fact, there is a small cave on the side of the Mount of Beatitudes in the Holy Land, overlooking not only the peaceful sea of Galilee, but a beautiful beach or shoreline as well — a cave which is known to be one of the places where our Lord often went for solitude. He also told us that worrying will get us nowhere fast, “therefore do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself.” (Matthew 6:34)
If beaching more and worrying less is good enough for Jesus, it is good enough for me. I recently returned from an incredible visit to Italy which is now open to travelers once again. And while I wasn’t able to head to the beach, I did manage to add a few extra days to the journey for nothing but prayer time and relaxation. Whether it was visiting a favorite church, or having a wonderful Aperol Spritz in one of Rome’s famous piazzas, the time was well spent.
Given the recent travel statistics from the 4th of July holiday weekend, there is good reason to believe that plenty of people, although they may not realize it, are also following the Lord’s example. According to AAA, three-point-five million Americans traveled by air between July 1st and July 7th. And even with gas prices up around a dollar over last year, road trips far surpass those numbers with nearly 44 million people hitting the roads during the same period.
So, whether you’re heading to a local or distant beach, or spending more time as I am in my own little poolside paradise, remember to beach more and worry less. It’s definitely time for more Teatime.
