A Time of Reflection

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:18, NIV).

Four of the nine nieces and nephews that are of age have started back to school. The other five will be back in the classroom next week. I can’t believe “summer” is almost over! 

Admittedly, I’ve spent quite a bit of time away from the computer screen this summer. The amount of writing I’ve done has been a lot less than previous years, but that’s primarily due to the amount of time I’ve spent with family and friends. 

One thing I’ve wanted to be intentional about is gratitude. So today, I am just going to take a few minutes to share five things from this summer that have been memorable. 

• Friday’s at the pool! Although they were fewer and farther between due to weather conditions this year, Friday afternoons are always a highlight as I gather with some girlfriends at the pool to eat, drink, and be merry! It’s always a special time, and I feel incredibly grateful for the women the Lord has placed around me to do life with.

• A weekend trip to Owensboro, KY! I had the pleasure of spending a long weekend with a great friend. Although we missed her family as they were gone serving on a mission trip, it was an opportunity for us to spend some extended time together, and go deeper in our friendship. The Lord is so kind to put people like Wini in my life. 

• Countless days and nights at the ball field. Watching my nieces and nephews do what they love has been such a gift. Long, hot days at the ball field sound like a nightmare for some. And while I admit that some of the scheduling is a little ridiculous at times, I wouldn’t trade being there for those moments for anything.

• The big moments! 8th grade graduation, high school prom, performance in the Distinguished Young Women Program, wee ball games, and milestone birthday celebrations. I’m grateful for all of the big moments I could be part of this summer.

• Girls weekend! I recently returned from a couple of days away with my oldest niece, who turned 17 this summer. As she prepares to start her senior year of high school, we spent a couple of days doing the two things she is most professional at: shopping and sleeping! It was a special time for us, and it’s something I’ll always cherish.

I could go on about all the memories made. Sometimes the most significant moments are the ones that often don’t get captured: eating popsicles on the front porch, riding the ranger to go check the cows, eating snacks between ball games on the weekend, and so much more. 

Take some time today to reflect on your summer. Maybe it’s not marked by the same kind of memories that I recounted. Maybe it’s been a really hard summer. Either way, may we look to Jesus, in gratitude and remember what it says in 1 Thessalonians 5:18: give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Gratitude may not always change our circumstances, but it will always change the posture of our hearts, and that’s what matters most.