To Summer: A love letter

So, Crossroads is in a series on Jonah. It's been challenging and complex in a way that I didn't expect which is kind of awesome. I was going to write about it today, but my head and heart haven't really agreed on the right words yet....so I'm going to let it simmer and stew and watch where the spirit leads me. I like the way it's making me think, and I'm trying hard to choose the right words.

When I find them, though, they will be beautiful and simple.

anyway..

It's almost August. Summer is almost over, which is a little ridiculous. It always takes too long to get here, and it always leaves too soon. But for three months, we are kissed with sunshine and beautiful possibilities. Days are long, and nights are calm.

Summer is always fleeting. From the day after summer begins the days begin to get shorter, like a stop watch prompting us to Carpe the crap of the Diem.  Urging us to choose joy, and forgiveness because sunshine feels better that way. It's like we're being reminded that everything is far too short and we should go cross things off our bucket lists because the sun is never going to shine for as long and watermelon is never going to taste as sweet. if not now, then when? There's never going to be a good time for anything. Timing will never be perfect because the timing has nothing to do with our hypothetical schedules.

Summer reminds us of God's grace and goodness. The smell of flowers, and the sound of the wind and the warmth of the sun are all reminders that He is good and faithful and provides for all of us including the flowers and the birds...

She reminds us how to be happy with simplicity of life. With water and sun and family. Somehow reminding us that our people matter more than most things. That time with them is sweet and special and sitting down to share a meal is one of the strongest, most tangible examples of love.  We begin to wonder why we don't do these things more often because in summer we allow ourselves to let our guards down a little more than usual. We smile and laugh more, we invite people into our lives in a way that is unique to only this season. Swim suits and shorts are the dress code which in itself provides a freedom to just be ourselves.

I'm thankful for the reminders of summer. I 'm thankful that it somehow always shows me the best parts of life, even in the midst of a storm, blue skies are God's promise that He brings relief and that he is good, and even after a storm things begin to grow again.

I just feel bad for people who don't get to experience the beauty of every season. I appreciate summer so much more because I've experienced the harshness of winter.

I mean, metaphor for life, obviously.

Here's to you, Summer. The old friend that never let's us forget how awesome life is. I tip my sunhat to you.