Summer Is Here
At the downtown coffee shop, a 7-year-old boy with golden hair that flops just above his ears watches his tablet with oversized earbuds. Coloring books, a library book about dinosaurs, and transformers are strewn across the table where he is seated. His mother glances at him every couple minutes between making cappuccinos and grabbing pastries for customers. Two shops down, two sisters argue while doing crafts in the back office of the jewelry store. Their father, the manager, takes a few steps back and shushes them before recomposing himself and sharing the details of this particular estate sale find with a couple in search of an engagement ring.
It’s the limbo period between schools ending for summer break and camps staring up. A dread (or joy? pick one.) befalls parents and they drag their children to work and set up camp for them so parents can carry on with their work duties to the best of their abilities.
Mine, as you can see from the photo above, are currently situated in the middle of my office floor, digging through the box of cheap knick-knacks I’ve prepared for occasions such as these (and yes, my daughter is wearing a swimsuit for no other reason than, she felt like it). Soon, I’ll pop in a movie for them while I write the sermon for Sunday.
Today is the Summer Solstice, which marks the official start of summer. Some of you may remember that last year, I got REALLY into summer for the first time of my adult life.
Prior to having children, my summer rhythm didn’t differ all too much from other seasons as I worked full-time, year-round. Maybe I went on a couple trips here and there but overall, my daily routines remained the same.
Weather-wise, I’m also more drawn to cooler and rainier climates, making the summer season less attractive to me.
My first-born going to elementary school shifted my perspective since California public schools close for two and a half months for summer break. Summer camps are offered but for fewer hours, with several weeks off at a time.
Thus, I decided to lean into summer as a time to slow down, be less productive, rest, connect with family and friends, and play, play, play.
This upcoming summer, however, feels different once again.
There are a lot of projects on my plate and slowing down doesn’t feel like an option.
I’ve been reflecting upon this tension lately, of how to lean into summer during a season of my life when there’s so much to get done.
And, I’ve come to the same conclusion that many people arrive at when they find themselves in similar shoes: essentialize, meaning: drill down to the few things that really matter and let go of the rest. Say “no” to less important things to say “yes” to the most important things.
Last summer, we packed so much in! Theme parks, weekly impromptu bbq’s, trips to beaches and pools, etc. There will be less of that this summer. Don’t get me wrong, we’re still taking a couple big trips, one to Italy and another one to San Diego.
But hopefully, in cutting out the other activities and drilling down to my basic priorities of my writing, church life, rest, and play, the summer time can still be a time of deep restoration for my family.
What are your summer longings? You know me, I’m a big fan of setting intentions at the start of each season to identify values and implement practices that reflect those values.
Of all days, today, the longest day of the year, the Summer Solstice, feels like the perfect day to set aside about 10 minutes to ask yourself the following questions:
What words, images, and longings come to mind when dreaming about the summer you’d like?
If you were to pick a symbol to encapsulate that vision for your summer, what symbol would it be? If you were to pick a fragrance that encapsulated your summer vision, what fragrance would it be?
I know that second question sounds silly but I’ve been learning about the power of symbols and smells in guiding us towards the lives we long for. So, as silly as it seems, try it! And throughout this season, take about 20 seconds to breath in either the fragrance or the symbol as a way to point you toward your north star (a.k.a. your summer vision).
On an entirely separate note, I did a two-Sunday forgiveness series at my church that I wanted to share with all of you.
Recently, I realized something.
Forgiveness is perhaps one of the most central values of God and the teachings of the Bible.
And yet, it eludes most of us! We want to do it, but we have no idea how.
This is what inspired me to create the series—to make forgiveness less elusive, more practical, and easy to apply in our lives.
Here’s why.
Miracles happen when we forgive. People are mysteriously cured of chronic ailments when they forgive. Living with anger and resentment are akin to heavy metal chains wrapped around our bodies. When we forgive, we live with greater freedom, joy, and happiness.
The first part of the forgiveness series was about forgiving others and you can hear my sermon on this topic here. The sermon begins at 39:50. The second part of the forgiveness series was about forgiving ourselves and you can hear the sermon about that here. The sermon begins at 21:18. Of course, you’re welcome to watch all the other parts of the service if you want!
I hope these sermons are of help to you. Like always, you’re welcome to reach out for a one-on-one counseling session if you want to explore this in greater depth with me.
I won’t be around for the next couple of weeks because our family will soon take off for our long-awaited vacation to Italy. We’ll spend a few days in Florence and then a week in the Chianti region of Tuscany. By the way, if any of you have recommendations, especially activities that would be fun for families with young kids, I’d love to hear them! Comment below or shoot me an email at lydia@revlydia.com.
Whether you’re going 3,000 miles away or staying in your own neighborhood, may you experience the wonder and restoration of summer.