The Pastor’s Piece – Pastor Kevin Cernek, FCFI Chaplain
FCFI
June 7, 2026
June is a season of abundance. The days are long, the evenings seem to stretch on forever, and God’s creation displays its generosity at every turn. Strawberries ripen in the garden, fields turn green, and calendars fill with weddings, graduations, family reunions, and backyard gatherings. It is a wonderful time of year that reminds us that God is not merely a God of enough, but a God of abundance.
When I think of June, two memories immediately come to mind. The first takes me back to when I was about 12 years old. One evening, my family was craving fresh strawberries and ice cream. The problem was that the strawberries were still out in the garden, and a thunderstorm had just blown in. For reasons that probably seemed logical to two young boys at the time, my brother and I volunteered for the task. We ran out into the darkness carrying a bowl and began picking strawberries while rain beat down on us. Thunder crashed and lightning lit up the sky. Every flash shed light on what we were doing out there. Looking back, it may not have been the wisest decision we ever made. But youth often has a way of overlooking danger (especially when there is ice cream waiting at the finish line).
We hurried through the patch, picked a large bowl of beautiful berries, and raced back to the house soaking wet, slightly frightened, but totally unharmed. The reward was worth it. The whole family enjoyed fresh strawberries and ice cream that evening thanks to our efforts. I should add that Mom and Dad were gone that night. Had they been home, I suspect that adventure would never have happened.
The second memory involves graduation. When I graduated from high school, my parents invited a few friends and family members over for cake and ice cream. If memory serves me correctly, perhaps twenty people attended. They stayed for about an hour or so, visited for a while, enjoyed dessert, and then headed home.
Things have changed. Today’s graduation parties are mostly events of impressive proportions. There is enough food to feed an army, enough desserts to satisfy every sweet tooth in the county, and enough conversation to last well into the night. People who I have not seen in years show up. Neighbors stop by. Even former classmates unexpectedly appear. If not for the late hour, we might stay up all night reminiscing.
A very large amount of effort goes into these celebrations. Entire families become involved. There is cooking, baking, decorating, cleaning, finding enough tables and chairs, setting up tents, mowing, weed-whipping, and cleaning out garages. It truly is a celebration marked by abundance, generosity, and joy. Recently, after their last child graduated, a parent from a larger-size family shared how they were going to miss the graduation party tradition. Not because they enjoyed the expense and all the work involved. But they were going to miss it because graduation parties provide a reason to thoroughly clean the property at least once every year.
There is some wisdom in that. Before a graduation party, the yard gets mowed and trimmed. The flower beds receive attention. The garage gets swept out and washed down. The boxes that have been sitting untouched in the corner for years suddenly become candidates for disposal. Old projects leaning against the wall finally get moved. Sometimes a fresh coat of paint even appears. Everything looks better. And perhaps more importantly, it feels better. There is something deeply satisfying about restoring order to a place that has become cluttered. Things are put back where they belong. Neglected areas receive attention. Hidden corners are cleaned out. When the work is done, you can stand back and admire the results.
Life itself benefits from the same kind of occasional cleanup. Not necessarily of garages and storage sheds, but of priorities, habits, and attitudes. It is easy to accumulate things we never intended to carry. Disappointments linger. Worries pile up. Small compromises become larger ones. We get busy, distracted, and sometimes lose sight of what matters most.
That is why occasions like graduations are valuable. They invite us to pause and reflect. They remind us that life moves quickly and that each season brings new opportunities and responsibilities.
As graduates prepare to step into the next chapter of life, whether that means college, a career, military service, or some other path, I hope they understand a truth that has stood the test of time. The Bible says that a good name is better than riches. That wisdom is just as relevant today as it was thousands of years ago. Money, achievement and success all have value. But character is worth more than all of them. A good reputation cannot be purchased. It is earned one decision at a time. Someone once said that character is what you do when no one is looking. There is much truth in that statement. The choices we make in private determine the person we become in public. Employers appreciate skill. Friends appreciate loyalty. Families appreciate responsibility. But all of those qualities are rooted in character.
As young people begin building their futures, I hope they pursue not only success but integrity. I hope they become known for honesty, kindness, reliability, and faithfulness. Those qualities never go out of style.
Life, at its core, requires both faith and courage. Faith gives us confidence that God is present and at work even when we cannot see the outcome. Courage gives us the strength to keep moving forward when circumstances are uncertain. The two work together. Faith without courage often remains inactive. Courage without faith can quickly become self-reliance. But when faith and courage walk hand in hand, they provide a solid foundation for life.
True success is not measured simply by income, possessions, titles, or accomplishments. Those things may come and go. True success is found in trusting God, living with integrity, loving others well, and having the courage to do what is right.
June is a season of abundance. The days are long. Our gardens are full. The celebrations are plentiful. Families gather. Memories are made. As we enjoy the blessings of this season, may we also remember the things that matter most – a good name, strong character, enduring faith, and the courage to follow wherever God leads.
May God bless you.
Kevin Cernek is Lead Pastor of Martintown Community Church in Martintown, Wisconsin.