We have rounded the corner, and summer is here! An earlier article this year, dropped a little hint that spring has a “git-er-done” feel for me; and although I like every season, I do have my favorites. There are definite aspects of spring that are undeniably beautiful, and that I enjoy and embrace in spite of what feels like an adjustment period along with unpredictable weather episodes.
This spring, the emergency alert sounded on our phones (for the first time ever that I remember) warning us of a tornado in the area in the middle of the night. (All was well, thank the Lord!) In addition, the seventeen-year cicadas sounded like sirens all around our house for probably four to six weeks during the daylight hours. And—the above-ground swimming pool that we chose not to open last year was as green as the thick foliage on the trees that the cicadas were wild over!
July also feels like a transition, but one that feels more like a rest (at least to a degree) from the labors of spring preparations (for summer) and chores (from the winter break), while an underlying excitement for what’s coming tickles your fancy just a bit. The annual (“dog day”) 1 cicadas begin to sound off a signal that summer is here but are making way for sunflowers and season changes. The hot summer sunshine beckons us to lounge by the pool with a good book while our sun-kissed skin takes a break from the rays smiling down on us as we took to the water.
Hard Work and Freedom
July also carries the reminder of our freedom and the sacrifices of those who have worked—and are still working–to make it possible. This year’s Independence Day was extra special for me. As I mentioned in my previous article, I had worked to clean out the house. I am happy to report that the week of July the 4th, I (thankfully!) was able to follow up with the next goal of cleaning and now have high hopes of keeping on a better schedule to maintain…in both areas (with a tentative plan in place). (I actually even fit in some coffee-shop writing that same week!) I worked at the shop on Thursday; so by Friday, the 4th, I was ready to celebrate!
It felt like my work had paid off and I was ready to relax and celebrate the holiday and the completed tasks with hope of moving forward! The celebrations of freedom for me included gratefulness for the freedom to choose…to choose to close my shop and be home for the day. It meant rest and relaxation…thanking God for the breeze and the privilege to prop up my feet and read a book. With the 4th being on Friday, my celebrations extended over the weekend, as I am sure was the case for many Americans. My celebrations also included hotdogs and baked beans, swimming and sunning, family and games; and hearing fireworks from our yard that we couldn’t see, and seeing fireworks in unexpected places on our drive home Saturday night!
We are blessed beyond what we can imagine or measure because of those who work hard behind the scenes to secure our freedom. We are benefiting from the sacrifices of many, while easily forgetting as we go on our merry way. May we give thanks for our freedom; focus on the One who gives us blessings; and cherish the gifts of work and play…because we benefit from both. May we find contentment and never take for granted the benefits of those labors of love and hard work even in our day-to-day…running water and electricity, an overflowing grocery store and money to purchase OUR CHOICE of food, air conditioning and gas for our cars.
“Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth.”
1 Timothy 6:6 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/1ti.6.6.NLT
Summer has brought to mind so many reasons to be thankful. Yes, it’s been hot, but my A.C. is working; and not many things do I love more than six a.m. sunrises with a walk and sitting on the deck (or balcony at the beach!) with a light wind blowing while I start my day with God and His Word. The breeze feels like God breathing a blessing of approval as I follow Jesus.
Freedom and Surrender
You know, His Word hasn’t always been so easily accessible. Some people today still need Bibles in their own language; yet I am blessed to have a collection of varying sizes, colors, and versions along with ones that I have now inherited and cherish. The ability and access to read and receive may very well be a privilege that some still long for.
I don’t take a morning walk every day, as was the case yesterday; but I did have the privilege to sit on my deck, feel the breeze on my face, and read my Bible and pray. As I did so, I was reminded of our human frailty. God promised Isaac in Genesis 26 that He would be with him and bless him (verse 3), yet in the same chapter, Isaac “was afraid” and lied to protect his life (verse 7). The situation was taken care of (as I have no doubt was by God’s intervention), and then, a little later God reiterated that He would be with him and bless him. He also gives Isaac, what I feel, are such gentle and loving words from a loving Father… “Do not be afraid.”
“…”I am the God of your father, Abraham,” he said. “Do not be afraid, for I am with you and will bless you. I will multiply your descendants, and they will become a great nation. I will do this because of my promise to Abraham, my servant.””
Genesis 26:24 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/gen.26.24.NLT
Perhaps at this moment, Isaac was more convinced because he followed up with worship…
“Then Isaac built an altar there and worshiped the Lord…”
Genesis 26:25 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/gen.26.25.NLT
It’s easy to forget our blessings and focus on the problems that pop up. It’s easy to forget God’s faithfulness and His promises. It’s easy to look ahead and see what could go wrong even when everything is going right. And, (for some reason) it’s easy to fail to trust a God who never fails; and it’s easy to fail to surrender to a God who says, “Do not be afraid.” BUT—He is so kind to remind us where our help comes from. When we surrender our worry, our fears, and our efforts to control to the (One and only) God who has earned our trust over and over, we find an unexplainable, unearned freedom available to us.
So with freedom to work and freedom to take some leisure, I celebrate summer and what it entails…especially this year. I embrace surrender and celebrate God’s gentle reminders that bring a freedom and a peace that passes understanding.
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:4, 6-7 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/php.4.4-7.ESV
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” (Amen)
2 Corinthians 3:17 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/2co.3.17.ESV
- farmersalmanac.com ↩︎
Simply Celebrate With Jackie 