Embracing the Sacred Season of Summer: Who Will You Be at the End of Summer

"A single sunbeam is enough to drive away many shadows." ~ St. Francis of Assisi

The arrival of long Summers stirs up a wave of nostalgia, transporting me back to the carefree days of my youth. I can still feel the excitement that filled the air as Spring ended, signaling the start of three months of rest, pondering, and play. 

Growing up in the 1970s was a treasure, as I spent my Summers in swimming pools, beaches, and parks, fully embracing what we now call 'slow living.' We were bored, but it was a good kind of boredom. Life slowed down, and the possibilities were endless. We had to rely on our imaginations because the only technology we had was an instant camera. One scorching August as a tween, the Newport Beach waves knocked me around as sunscreen and salt stung my eyes. Clinging to the slippery raft, my shoulders sizzled. But not even a bad case of sun poisoning that one Summer could keep me away from those glory days when there was not a care in the world.

Who would I be at the end of Summer? 

First, I would be three months older and wiser. For instance, I would learn not to get too sunburned, which is a lesson in self-care. I would read books and write in my diary, which one day would lead me to be a writer. Even as an adult, Summer remains a time of self-discovery and reflection. Summers are a fascinating season of growth, not just in nature but also within us. I do not always have this time of year off, but even when working, I can embrace the sacred Summer season. One of my favorite places is under an umbrella on the beach. I immerse myself in a delightful book, where the long days stretch into the evening, when the sun dips late and sunsets mesmerize, bringing self-reflection and introspection. It is a time of self-awareness and understanding, where it is just me and God, observing where He is growing me. 

Like sunflowers, which seem to grow overnight and are sturdy and beautiful, this, too, can be our Summer growth. Just as sunflowers thrive in the Summer sun, we too can flourish in the warm, inviting season of Summer with personal growth and self-reflection.

As you step into Summer, kindle your curiosity and welcome the potential for growth and self-discovery. Consider the person you could become by the end of this season with God's guidance and your intentional efforts. Who will you be, and what lessons will you have learned at the end of Summer? Think of all your new experiences and achievements waiting to be discovered. Summer is a season for resting and relaxation but also renewal and transformation.

Here are three ways to flourish this Summer inspired by the rest, pondering, and play of the Summers I spent as a youth. Use these ideas to encourage self-reflection and spiritual growth through Summer activities and introspection. Holding onto rest, pondering, and play creates the ideal conditions for personal development. Rest allows us to recharge and reflect, pondering leads to self-discovery and understanding, and playing fosters creativity and joy. 

REST

Recharge as you reflect. Rest is a gentle thread that weaves in and out of Summer. I find solace in the early morning as I read the Psalms, a peaceful way to start the day. Then, I find dreaminess in my beach chair under an umbrella, long strolling walks, worship, praise singing, and reading my favorite book. These interludes are an opportunity for joy and inspiration, a chance to recharge and reflect, and to fully appreciate the beauty of Summer. 

In this pondering and pause, the lovely Summer begins to reveal itself and unwind with its days of rest, new beginnings, and adventures.

PONDERING

Pondering is a natural extension of rest, a deliberate slowing down to fully immerse in the season. It is a time for self-discovery, self-reflection, and growth. As you ponder, ask yourself, 'What is my purpose in Summer?'

Pondering is a valuable tool for self-reflection and spiritual growth. It helps us dive deeper into our thoughts and feelings, allowing us to better understand ourselves. 

In the Bible, we are told in Ecclesiastes 3:1, To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven," (NKJV). 

I ponder thoughtfully as the first firefly lights the yard like mini fireworks exploding in the tall grass and clover. Slowing down to find our purpose is not just a growth path but also a source of joy. There is a particular pleasure in intentionally pursuing our purpose for Summer, in taking the time to ponder, pray, worship, dance, and enjoy the blessings of this season.

I begin my Summer days with quiet contemplation and self-discovery through long walks, resisting the urge to make a phone call or listen to music. I want to see the blooming flowers and swaying trees, hear the bird symphonies, feel the rays, and see the sun's glint as I reflect and feast on all the splendor around me. 

PLAY

Summer play takes many forms. For instance, a writing workshop, guitar lessons, a creative spiritual retreat, or simply time outside, whether in the mountains, at the beach, or in a park, to experience the beauty of nature and foster your personal growth.

Imagine growing this Summer as strong and beautiful as a sunflower. In our rest, pondering, and play, our roots grow a deep connection to God, our Father. We strengthen our faith and prepare ourselves for upcoming seasons by deepening our roots. Just think of the harmony and joy we can foster in our homes, churches, and communities as we intentionally practice the sacred season of Summer. 

SUMMER REFLECTION GROWTH RESOURCES

1. Stuff I'd Only Tell God: A Guided Journal of Courageous Honest, Obsessive Truth-Telling And Beautifully Ruthless Self-Discovery by Jenner Lee Dukes. This book is not just a journal, but a source of joy and fun. It’s a private conversation between you and God, guided by Jennifer’s prompts, questions, diagrams, and concepts. These tools lead you to both enjoyable and profound places that need healing and one-on-one time with God. It’s a call and an invitation to self-reflection, introspection, and growth, where we get to be honest with ourselves and God. I found the book to be a delightful mix of fun and seriousness, of joy and profundity. https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/492085

1. “Live Slowly: A Gentle Invitation to Exhale” by Jodi H. Grubbs. Pull up a chair and exhale: this book will help you slow down. What a breath of fresh air this book is. Jodie H. Grubbs is a lovely storyteller who invites us into her God-sent way of life. Her own struggle with the hurried pace of our culture gives her the expertise to guide us from the fast-paced lane of barefoot hospital amid island time. https://a.co/d/40uxFMc

1. Spurgeon and the PSALMS" (Thomas Nelson Bibles, 2022, NKJV translation). What an excellent way to read the Book of Psalms, as it encourages your heart this summer. The Psalms are where God revealed Himself so we can know His love for us. Each devotion starts with a short passage from Spurgeon from "The Treasury of David," followed by each of the 150 Psalms. https://www.amazon.com/dp/0785253432/

   
   
   
   

Deborah Rutherford is a Christian wife who loves to write stories, devotionals, and poetry. She is also an award-winning makeup artist. Deborah shares her journey of faith, joy, and beauty on her blog at www.deborahrutherford.com and social media. She is a contributing writer for Aletheia Today Magazine, Kingdom Edge Magazine and Gracefully Truthful Ministries and has a devotional in the book “Shepherd on Duty: Promises of God you Can Trust” (Arabelle Publishing) and the Calla Press, Literary Journal Spring 2023.

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