I know that there is nothing better for them than
to be happy and enjoy themselves as long as they live;
moreover, it is God’s gift that all should eat and drink
and take pleasure in all their toil.
-Ecclesiastes 3:12-13
I have to admit that for the last week or so, I’ve had summer on the brain! As someone who gets cold easily, summer is one of my favourite seasons. I love the hot summer days and warm bright evenings. I love grass and sand between my toes, and being able to slip into a pair of sandals and run out the door. Maybe it comes from my school years, but summer always feels like a break to me. A chance to unwind, to do a little less, to be more carefree. Which got me to thinking this week, why do I feel this way about summer? What is it about the summer months that seems so nurturing to my spirit? When I think of summer, I can easily picture the words from Ecclesiastes that I just shared with you. These two verses remind us that it is good for us to enjoy life. That time spent doing activities that bring pleasure are a gift from God. And so, as summer arrives, I encourage you to approach the summer months with this reading of scripture in mind. Let this summer be an opportunity to spend time with God through the things in life that bring you pleasure. The small moments of summer that lift your Spirits, or make you smile. Evening walks as a warm breeze envelopes you. Running through the grass barefoot, or through a water sprinkler with your children. Lemonade or BBQ, tea outside in the early morning. These are just a few ideas, there are so many more out there to discover! And so, with the arrival of summer, I encourage you to embrace this gift. Embrace God’s gift of time with one another. Even if you do not get summer vacation, enjoy the small moments that nurture you. One of my favourite online blogs Salt Project, had a recent blog post in which they offered “10 Ways to Savor Summer.” You can check that list out by going online to www.saltproject.org,. In closing, I encourage you to share in the comments, one way you will savour summer. How will you welcome God’s presence with you in the coming months? For me, I hope to enjoy as much time as I can outside running and playing with my toddler, being as carefree as possible!
God Bless, Tara Ann
Bideford Pastoral Charge 