"Spring being a tough act to follow, God created June." –Al Bernstein

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. - James 1:17

The longest day of the year was on Friday, June 20th. It marked the real beginning of summer! As a kid, summer was one of the most important parts of the year. No school, long days filled with nothing, and endless fun moments. As an adult, we may not be able to just drop everything and enjoy lazy days or spontaneous adventures. But we can still learn and work to embrace the rest, joy and beauty that summer brings. We can savor all of the goodness of this season! 

The Importance of Rest

"Summertime, and the living is easy." –Ella Fitzgerald

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

Remember when you were a kid and summer meant you could sleep in? Take a nap in a hammock? Or just spend the day lazing around? Life may not give you all of those opportunities in abundance over the summer. Yet there is an invitation to slow down. In summer, you don’t have all of your regular plans. You might even have more space on your calendar! 

Jesus invites us to rest. He gives us freedom to rest. It is not something we have to earn or work toward. Rest is something that we should make into a regular part of our lives! So this is your summer challenge: make space for rest on your calendar. Whether it’s scheduling a whole afternoon, just to sit and read or nap. Or maybe making sure that you can have an extended time for journaling and reflection one day. Whatever it is that sounds just right to you, let yourself enjoy some rest. 

Joy in the Simple Things

"Live in the sunshine. Swim in the sea. Drink in the wild air." -Ralph Waldo Emerson

When you are young, it can be so easy to find joy! Running around outside with bare feet. Eating a popsicle in the sunshine before it melts. Playing until the sun has set and feeling as if you have worn out the whole day. As we get older, it can be harder to capture that feeling or even just to allow ourselves to fill up with joy! It can be an act of rebellion toward a world of weariness, sorrow and pain. It can also be actively choosing love for our lives. 

Let this season be a reminder to find joy in the everyday. Buy the flowers, dance in the kitchen, wear that bright summer dress (or better yet, grab a cute faith-inspired tee from our boutique that shares just the message you need!).

A Little Refresh and Recharge 

"I wonder what it would be like to live in a world where it was always June." –L.M. Montgomery

Let summer warm you up and help you to refresh and recharge! Take some time to choose a way to refresh your life. Try one of these things!

• Start a special summer Bible reading plan. Maybe focus on the words of Jesus, or hope filled passages. 

• Get a gratitude journal and focus on what you are thankful for every single day. 

• Create a cozy nook on your patio or porch, or even in your room, and head there to spend time with God every day. 

“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” - Psalm 118:24

"The crickets felt it was their duty to warn everybody that summertime cannot last forever. Even on the most beautiful days in the whole year—the days when summer is changing into autumn—the crickets spread the rumor of sadness and change." –E.B. White

QUESTIONS AND REFLECTIONS 

One of my favorite things to do is to ponder, reflect and journal, it gives me time to think through all the various aspects of life. May you find time in your day or your week, to sit and reflect. You can use these questions as a starting place for your reflection, or just an addition to your normal journal rhythm.

1. What are your favorite parts of summer?

2. What is one thing you can do this week to savor summer? 

3. What parts of summer bring you joy? 

4. Where have you seen God at work in your life lately?

5. What’s one thing from this blog that you want to use or put into action? 

"'Cause a little bit of summer is what the whole year is all about." –John Mayer

"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.” - Matthew 6:28-29