Summer: Serenity or Stress?

Audio File

We all go through different seasons... I am in the season that most teachers look forward to: summer break!!!

I have mixed feelings... it's very bittersweet. Don't get me wrong, I am THRILLED that it's summer! I am looking forward to my time with my sons and extra time with my husband (since I won't be planning and cutting and organizing and grading ANY school work for the next few months). But I'm also a bit sad. I have fallen more in love with my job this past year than ever before. Though some days were very tough with certain kiddos or circumstances at work, it was my mission field. Now I have to wait until August, until a new herd of kids is brought together for me. So what about this break then? What to do.

Oh, I know what I'll do! My list is long... and grows longer each day. To-do lists, activities lists, DIY lists, etc. I am eager to get going on certain projects, check certain boxes, take a load off of our family in a way I really couldn't during my ten months of employment.

One of those boxes to check -- BIBLE STUDY! And honestly, I don't want to check that box for a long time! Hear me out - I WANT to start on a plan of studying the Word more deeply, I just don't want to check the box like I'm DONE studying the Word. Get it? (Maybe I should rename the item on the list to "organize and initiate...")

In our house, our two boys are "encouraged" to stay in their rooms until 8 a.m. on the weekends. Now with summer break here, that will continue through the week. I decided that because my alarm is going off at 7:15 at the latest. Y'all... that's more than 2 hours after I have to get up for work during school!! I am SOOOOO excited! Back to focus: that 45 minutes prior to the boys exiting their bedrooms and launching mass chaos coming downstairs full of sweetness will be spent sipping on my coffee and studying the Word. BAM!!! Nailed it! Perfect plan! Except......... what to study? What to read?

When I think on that, I get a little ansy or overwhelmed. There's so much I want to read up on and dive deeper into. I only have 8-9 weeks of this! Time is going to fly by!!! Oh no!!

WAIT! Stop right there. Breathe.

Every moment that I have to read, study, pray, and quietly meditate will be like a piece of gold I didn't have before. A precious jewel added to my collection. I will feel richer and closer to the Father than ever before. So instead of stressing, I am making a list!

I carry a little tiny composition notebook with me - pocket size! It takes about .5% of space in my massive mom purse so it's really not much of an addition to carry. When I have a thought, a question, an idea, or something I want to give more attention to I can whip out my teeny tiny notebook and jot it down at that very moment. The notebook actually says Acts 2:42 on it - helps me keep focused what the notebook is for! :)  Then when I have time (like from 7:15-8 say, every morning) I can flip through there and figure out what I'm going to focus on. Sometimes my feelings from previous days (or events that occurred) cause me to go with a certain focus. That works too!

Either way, I am looking forward to this plan. It will take self-control (not sleeping in any longer, not being distracted by other things during this morning time, ....). If I can have enough self-discipline in this one VERY important area of my life, I am SURE that I can have the self-discipline to maintain healthier eating habits and active lifestyle that I've been wanting to do better at lately. Prioritizing these, I feel, is very important as well! So I'm going to start with my soul and then work towards my heart and tummy -- and then everything else on my list! :)

This is sort of a different type of entry than I normally do on this blog. However, I wanted to get a few things written down and shared with each of you as my summer break gets started. Even if you don't have a summer break, you have summer! I hope you find something refreshing about this time of year, no matter what "season of life" you might be in.

Here's a few verses that have popped out at me. I'll get them posted here before the clock dings 8! :)

Psalm 23:2-3  He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.

Psalm 4:8 In peace I will lie down and sleep, for You alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety.

Isaiah 40:29-31 He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait on the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run and not get tired. They will walk and not become weary.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.

Let us challenge each other, and hold each other accountable in this season of life, that we find rest in the Lord and renewed strength to grow deeper in our relationship with our Heavenly Father!

Dear God,
Thank you for this morning! Thank you for being near to us and allowing us to draw near to You. We often can find a gazillion ways to stay busy and overwhelmed with the chores of today, but please help us to be filled with the knowledge to take time and rest in You! I believe You will fill us with the strength to continue on the right path, checking the boxes of things that need to get done. Thank you for Your love, grace, and mercy! Amen!