The sweet summer season is officially here! Hallelujah! I, for one, am a HUGE fan of this season with its long days, sunshine, and warmth. I love to spend the weeknights out on the deck, enjoying the color and scent of the flowers I’ve planted, grilling and eating delicious dinners with my hubby, and getting comfy with a good book to wind down the busy days. As mentioned in my last post, I also love being up north on the weekends, spending time with family and friends and soaking in all the graces that lake life offers. One other thing I love – my classy wardrobe of t-shirts, running shorts, and sandals – I pretty much live in these all summer long! (It’s the little things!)
This summer I am being intentional in facilitating three specific things: Connection. Rest. Wellness. In all areas of life. And my method to accomplishing these things is quite simple: Abiding in God and the good things He has blessed me with to make the most out of this season.
As I think more specifically about this new season, here is what my heart is hoping for over the coming months …
- Remaining and resting in God. Being refreshed by His love, taking time to bask in His grace, and being inspired by His beauty and goodness. As I lean into Him and let Him work on my heart, mind and soul, I pray that He will heal the broken areas and clean up the messiness inside, bringing me to a new and restored place with Him. I also hope that I will find clarity of calling and purpose as I focus on Him and what He wants for me (vs. what I want for me).
- Spending quality, one-on-one time with the hubby, whether it’s doing fun and new things or doing nothing at all, I want to connect and make the most of any little bit of time we have to be together. We’re both looking forward to a long weekend in celebration of the 4th of July holiday and we’ll be taking a week off at the beginning of August for another adventure to celebrate our 7th wedding anniversary! I’m excited for the good times that await us in the next couple of months!
- Spending time with loved ones – family and friends – both at home and up north. For connection and conversations, fun and laughter. To be present with those who comprise my “home team” and give to them what they so graciously give to me.
- Physical healing of my foot. I am on a new regimen of spinning, stretching, walking/jogging, and wearing an ultrasound bone healing mechanism for forty minutes every day. I am not one for laying or sitting around much, but I feel in this season that aside from exercise and the have-tos of housework, etc. I need to be taking it easy and give this last portion of injured bone in my foot time to completely heal once and for all. I hope when I see my doctor at the end of next month that he tells me I am finally over this hurdle for good!
- Physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual balance. For all of these areas to be aligned to the best extent possible as I take the time to tend each of them accordingly.
- To get lost in a variety of good reads. I have a list of books I am making my way through, both fiction and non-fiction, and I look forward to any opportunity I get to dive into a good story, learn, and be encouraged by words on the page.
Essentially, I am hoping and praying that this will be the BEST summer yet! A summer that truly recharges and renews, inspires and energizes, and that ultimately allows me to revel in all. things. GOOD.
Hoping the same for you, friends! Cheers to summer!
P.S. If you’re looking for a great way to abide this summer, I recommend the Abide Journal + Field Guide by Naptime Diaries. I started working through this two weeks ago and I fell in love immediately. It speaks to exactly what my heart and soul are craving this season, and it’s self-paced which is a welcome change for this girl who operates everything by a specific schedule. Check it out and let me know if you decide to jump in!
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“Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can’t bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you can’t bear fruit unless you are joined with me.
I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing. Anyone who separates from me is deadwood, gathered up and thrown on the bonfire. But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon. This is how my Father shows who he is—when you produce grapes, when you mature as my disciples.”
~ John 15:4-8, The Message
[…] mentioned a couple of weeks ago that the theme of this summer, for me, is “abiding.” Abiding in God, abiding in the […]