Each summer brings opportunities for social gatherings, extended travels, and moments of reprieve and relaxation. Summer is one of my favorite seasons of the year. Growing up as a “Cali Girl,” there was never an absence of things to do and places to go, especially in the summertime. Although summer as a child looks very different from summer as an adult, the nostalgia is very much the same; it’s a whole vibe!
The smiling sun stretches the days long. Everything is in full bloom. Sundresses, sandals, shorts, and graphic tees become the OOTD (Outfit of the Day). Sure, it is blazing hot outside, but we can still find enjoyment, laughter, and cheer in our search to escape the heat waves. There’s an abundance of festivals, family reunions, vacations, cookouts, beach/pool trips, and swanky get-togethers. It’s summer, summertime!
Summer is the perfect time to experience God’s joy as you venture outdoors, surround yourself with laughter, share smiles, and even indulge in a few celebratory toasts.
Proverbs 15:15 reminds us that “…for the happy heart, life is a continual feast.” In Christ, we have the ultimate link to happiness. Although our lives will not be absent of hardship and trials, we have a direct pathway to unbridled joy in every season — not just in the summer. We all can’t escape to another state, country, or visit an island, but we all have the ability to find the joy that is in knowing Christ Jesus. The infectious laughter of a child, the caress of a cool breeze on your neck, the smile of sharing a hug with a friend, the memory of a loved one who has passed are all reminders that the joy of the Lord has no limit. It is in these reminders that we meet God, face-to-face. In this place, we can “rejoice…and be glad” (Psalm 118:24).
Cheers to Summer!
Meditate:
Psalm 126:2 – “Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, ‘The Lord has done great things for them.”
Pray:
Dear Most Gracious Father, we are blessed to have everything we need. You are the ultimate source of happiness along this oftentimes tumultuous journey called life. We thank you for the summertime reminders to shine bright no matter the circumstance. We find joy in the midst of hardship, and we bless your name for all you have done. May your unspeakable joy reside deep in our soul and come forth in our interactions with others. May we sing praises of joy and have a spirit of gratitude in all that we do. Amen
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