Does Summer have you excited or stressed? What is Summer inviting you to do (or not do)?
We are officially on Summer break mode here in Maryland!
Our 3 daughters wrapped up their last days of 4th, 7th and 9th grades earlier this week and wasted no time scheduling sleepovers with their besties!
One thing that hasn’t slowed down for us, is the Summer sports schedule!
Last weekend I soaked in Livvy’s sand soccer tournament in Ocean City, Maryland, while Shawn held down the lacrosse games…
And this weekend, Shawn is traveling to New Jersey with Maci for Lax for the Cure and Eve and I are traveling to Pennsylvania for her lacrosse tournament, while Livvy is thankfully bunking with a teammate for a local lax tournament. SO thankful for wonderful friends, who help us when we are outnumbered with girls and games!! 🙂
Yes, Summer is in full swing here and it has me thinking…
Because as our 3 girls continue to advance rapidly through the school years…
Summer has become…
Well, more sacred.
Today on the blog, I’m sharing a brief note about what the start of Summer is stirring in my heart, and what it means for me and how I am choosing to show up in the world over these next 11 weeks…
Follow me friend.
What Is Summer Inviting You To Do (or not do?)
Earlier this week I spent two days on the sidelines…and not on the sports sidelines.
No, this week I was on the sidelines of life, when I came down with a terrible virus that came like a train out of nowhere and took me out of commission for two straight days.
Thankfully, Shawn kicked right into detailed traffic controller, Mom mode and organized all the rides for all the girls, to all the places.
But sadly, I was so sick I missed getting Livvy on and off the bus for her last day of school.
Something I love to do.
Thankfully, I am feeling much better and am back in the swing!!
But now that I am?
The forced rest has adjusted my posture a bit on how I am choosing to show up this Summer.
In a nut shell?
My posture is decidedly…
Moving more slowly.
In other words, I am deciding to let off the gas pedal a bit…move more gently and thoughtfully into the coming weeks.
I am checking in with myself to make sure my head is in conversation with my heart, and that they are both on the same page and pace.
The page being?
It’s more of a blank page but with one phrase written in loose open cursive…
“Stay softly aware, in order to savor“
The thing about sacred moments?
Is that you don’t actually realize they are sacred…until much later.
When you rewind the tape of season’s past…only then, in reflection, does the sacred stand out.
It turns out?
When I rewind the tape of season’s past and memories made?
Most of my sacred memories are birthed between the sunrises and sunsets of the sand and sea…
In Summer.
Summer is my favorite season of the year and also?
I am painfully aware that we have this Summer and two Summer’s after that…before we move into what will be college prep and move mode for Eve.
So, yes, this Summer is inviting my heart to savor the slivers of life that have a tendency to slip through fingers, when we aren’t paying attention…
Last night, as we were leaving lacrosse practice, the sunset was undeniable.
I pulled the car over and let Livvy and her sweet friend stick their heads out of the sunroof, to catch a better view.
Of course, that led to one thing…
Cartwheels in the grass, under the setting sun.
I sat in the driver’s seat and for a few minutes, watched these care free girls cartwheel and giggle their way through the seconds of the sun’s last breaths, before it slipped past our sight.
The moment…savored.
Friend, I’m not certain of all that you have on your plate right now.
I know the season of Summer looks different for each of us.
Whether the structure of your days perhaps just bends a bit or completely dissolves and takes on new form…
I believe there is an invitation on the table…
To reflect.
To pause.
To listen.
To respond.
What is your heart inviting you to this Summer?
Is it…
More rest?
More margin for white space in a crowded calendar?
More walks around the block of the neighborhood at night?
More trips to the snow ball stand?
More reading for fun?
More putting yourself back on your priority list?
Less rushing?
Less pushing?
Less striving?
Less worrying?
Less second guessing?
Less scrolling and stressing?
More slowing and savoring?
Whatever your heart is inviting you to this Summer, my hope is that you take the time to notice and bring your head and your heart together on the same page and pace.
If you’re longing to slow down and embrace the season more intentionally, you may also enjoy reading my thoughts on On Having A Gentle Summer & Simple Joys.
For me, I am contemplating taking July and August off from writing here on the blog in order to savor the time with all of our girls off from school and allow my creative juices to enjoy a brain break.
Also, I am praying about a starting a podcast…an idea that has been stirring in my heart for quite some time as a new way to connect with you.
*If a podcast form of the blog sounds like something you would enjoy listening to, I would love for you to share your thoughts with me in the comments!
One thing I know?
In order to truly savor Summer and find some important answers to questions I’m pondering….
It will require a choice to quiet the noise and slow everything down, as much as realistically possible with a busy family schedule….
The only way I know how to slow down despite a demanding schedule is…
To follow my instincts…
Which looks a lot like –
Pulling the car over again and again, when I catch those rays dancing in the sky above…
Inviting us…
To watch that Summer sun show off her closing act…no matter where we are, or where we are going.
Living on a prayer,
Heather
I was in OC last weekend watching my nephew play! We live in Berlin, so we were nice and close to stop by and watch 🙂
I agree with taking time this summer. We do not have kids, but we still end up being busy and summer flies by. Summer is my favorite season too, so this year I said, take it slow and soak up everything. I want to have spontaneous date days and nights (even if it’s on a work night:)). Sit on a porch and enjoy a beverage with a friend. Watch the sunset in the backyard. Enjoy your summer!
That is so fun that you were able to pop over and watch your nephew play!! Couldn’t agree more with soaking up this favorite season of ours and creating space to savor the smallest delights! ENJOY!!! XO
YESSSSSS….We just ended week 2 of break with a trip to Disneyland and I was exhausted upon arrival! That’s what the Lord is whispering to me…slow down on the excitement of the “space” of summer and filling it up. Be still. Be present. Loved this! Thank you.
So glad you enjoyed this post!!! Sounds like you have been busy and enjoying Summer fun. Thrilled to hear that you can feel and hear the Lord’s whispers on your heart, so thankful to know this message connected with you! Thank you for being here! XO