We’ve just enjoyed a church family camp at Clarks Beach, on the Manuakau Harbour, the first in ages, and I’d forgotten how much fun they can be.

We arrived late on the Friday night, Duncan finding Camp Morley more by luck than by my expert navigational skills! We were just in time for supper and stayed up late chatting and playing games before bunking down in a family cabin with our four offspring, son-in-law and his sister.

On Saturday we woke to a sparkling morning, looking out over the tranquil stretches of Clarks Beach. It was off to breakfast, followed by a beach walk before devotions, then games down on the sand.

The youngsters all enjoyed a swim and there was time for reading and a doze for those so inclined.

The highlight of the weekend arrived on Sunday morning with three beach baptisms. It was a privilege to be there, knee deep in the sea, to witness three of our young people take that special step.

I vote we have family camps more often!

It was so nice to share the company of our church family in a relaxed environment, laughing and having some good old-fashioned fun.

We get so caught up in the seriousness of running our lives that we often forget about “chilling out.”

And, I think, sometimes we get too caught up in the seriousness of being Christians by over-complicating our faith.

Jesus said:

“Come to me all you who are burdened and weary and I will give you rest. Take my yoke and learn from me… and you will find rest for your souls…”

(Matthew 11:28-30)

– Fran Pardon