It’s here, summer! There was a time I could hardly wait for summer to arrive. Daydreaming out my schoolroom window, I imagined all the summer adventures that awaited me. No deadlines, no commitments, no homework, just three months of long-summer-day fun!
Naturally, the summer mindset of my childhood carried over to adulthood. And though my life is never commitment free, I still purpose to plan my summers with an added ease to them. Years ago, when my grandchildren were young, I joined their world of play. While they discovered new things, I revisited old childhood memories along with the ones I made with my children: Squirt gun fights, snow cones, flying kites, running through the sprinklers, tossing a Frisbie, picnics, and seemingly endless water activities! Viewing their excitement became contagious, creating a host of wonderful memories to look back on. And though we’re all older now, we recently enjoyed a game of Marco Polo in the pool. Well, minus “someone” who doesn’t move as fast as she used to getting tagged a lot!
I love adding fresh adventures and making new memories with family and friends!
Though my heart also desires to discover whatever new things God has for me.
The Bible uses the word new over and over. You get the clear impression the Lord loves doing new things in our lives. He made us new creations. 2 Corinthians 5:17. In the Old Testament, God told the Israelites and Judeans that a day was coming when he would make a new covenant with them. Jeremiah 31:31-33. Then, in Ephesians 4:23-24, we receive a new attitude of our minds when we put on the new self, created in his image for righteousness and holiness. And, of course, we all wait in anticipation when God creates a new heaven and a new earth! Isaiah 65:17-18 and Revelation 21:1.
There is a problem, however, with adding “new” things into our lives. It seems to require—room. For everything we add, we need to let go of something else. Create space. Whether it’s cleaning out a closet for new clothes or eliminating past pursuits for new endeavors. Summer, in a way, can become a late spring-cleaning in our lives. A time for reflecting on what we’ve been doing, to see if it still holds value for us, our family, and most importantly, our Lord. A break from the usual helps us to gain a better perspective. The added ease of summer affording us quiet times to think, evaluate, and consider new possibilities.
How about you? Do you want to create some space in your life this summer? See what different things God might have for you? Reflect on your “routine” and determine if changes need to be made? Or maybe gain a stronger commitment and joy to where God already has you? Whatever the case, open up your heart and mind, and take some “summer adventures” with those you love, and with God.