The month of June can be a busy one. The new growth in the fields affects our workloads. For many farmers who raise cattle, it is time to harvest and bale food for the animals.
June is also a time of paying special attention to people, occasions and occupations. In our area of the world, June is known as Dairy Month. We highlight those who make a living at producing dairy products for us and the world to consume.
Some special days are remembered in June. We honor fathers on Father’s Day. For many of us our fathers are but a treasured memory. Though no father on earth is perfect, yet from them there are things for which we can be thankful. Personal qualities and life decisions made by our fathers have served to shape our lives. The responsibility for providing for family is a heavy one. How glad I am for my father who did not shy away from making a place where us kids could belong and call it home.
Many couples choose June for their wedding day. My husband and I did. Since my husband was a teacher at the time, I thought that if we married in June, I could expect a long honeymoon because he had a three-month summer vacation. Our honeymoon did last a long time.
When we moved to the farm, little did I know that many times our anniversary would fall on a long day of baling hay. I spent a great part of the day driving the tractor which pulled the baler. My husband labored on the hay wagon lifting and stacking the hay bales. We got tired, but felt gratified when the crop got harvested.
Another day we remember is my husband’s birthday which comes in June. Many times it falls on Father’s Day. So sometimes we get to celebrate a doubly special day.
One occasion in June that has not been commemorated for a long time is Children’s Day. In my younger days, Children’s Day came one week after Father’s Day. My church had a special gift for the children on that day. The gift might be a pencil or a piece of bubble gum, but it was a delight for us kids to be remembered.
Children really are special. They reach into our present and into our future. They need nurturing, protection, teaching, training, belonging and loving. The Holy Bible says in Psalm 127:3 (NKJV) “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward.”
Our investment in children will produce dividends as they mature. The children God has given us have been a welcome responsibility and they have blessed us many ways in return. We thank God for our precious children. Perhaps one day there will be a revival of Children’s Day for children and families to enjoy. It is a good reminder of how important their lives really are.
I hope your June is not all work, but happy remembrances, too.