The end of this school year has brought many events and a lot of busyness, which is typical for the end of the school year. This year though has seemed busier, more intense, crammed, and jam packed. Maybe it’s because my kids are older and they are involved in more activities. Maybe it’s because it’s a milestone year for one going into high school. It is just all of the things. This morning my baby left for a 3 day overnight field trip, Friday night my middle baby went to his 8th grade dance, and my first baby has been busy with finals and projects that require afternoon naps to make up for the sleep he’s been missing out on at night. Meanwhile, I’m in a place where I find myself at the gas station every 3rd day to replenish the fuel that I’ve gone through driving everyone everywhere. But alas, there are so many blessings in all of this and I’m looking to the Lord for my daily bread.

Saturday morning was going to be a particularly busy day following a late night Friday and preceding an early morning Sunday. I decided to get up early to go for a run. I can’t do things like that during the school year, it just doesn’t work in my schedule. But on this Saturday morning I was reminded what I love about summer time. I love that I can get up early and not have to rush back for anything. I love that even if there are plans to be had, that the pace is slower and there is no pressure. I love that I can get up because I want to not because I have to. I love that I can go for a run with my dog, watch the sunrise, and still be home before anyone has gotten themselves up yet.

Tonight, the first night that my baby is away, before I did the dishes or watered the grass, I went out for a sunset walk. Just me and my pup. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not about the solitude, though tonight it was nice, I would gladly take anyone’s company, it was about the schedule being open and having the time and the ability to go.

Summer is not always my favorite. The mosquitos are terrible to me, I can’t get too much sun, I get kind of grumpy when I’m too hot, but for the love of a sunrise or a sunset, I’m ready for a summer slow down. This is what I love about the summer.

And God said, “Let there be lights in the vault of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark sacred times and days and years. Genesis 1:14

Heavenly Father, thank you for causing the sun to rise today. Thank you for our daily bread and that apart from you I can do nothing. Lord I thank you for all of the blessed busyness. I thank you for healthy children who can participate in activities that they enjoy. I thank you that we live in a place that has sports and field trips and dances. Lord I thank you for teachers who pour into our kids and provide them with an education. And Lord I thank you for the slow down that summer time brings that we all need so badly right now. Lord help us to slow down and breathe. Thank you for sunrises and sunsets, the paintings in the sky that you give us for our enjoyment. You are an awesome God. In Jesus name, Amen.