Summer 2008Dear Friends,
Summer is here along with longer days and vacations. Most take a break from formal schooling and children look forward to more free time. Give yourself a break this summer from all the many scheduled activities that fill the school year. If ever there was a season to relax, it is summer! If not now, when?
Too often, we promise ourselves time to slow down as soon as some project is finished, or the holidays are over, or… But the promise of that much-needed down time remains elusive as new obligations or opportunities seem to spring up and fill our calendar. What a shame. Those long lazy days of summer we had eagerly anticipated never quite materialized.
When Fall arrives, how many of us will look back fondly on some unhurried, carefree summer days? Even Sundays and vacation days often end up jam-packed. And then we wonder why we are so tired! Somewhere along the way, we have forgotten how to slow down, relax and have unstructured, stress-free down time.
I confess that I find it difficult to slow down sometimes, too. But as I get older, I see the need for more time set aside with the Lord, and more time to relax. I’m getting better at planning for that time just as seriously as I plan appointments or commitments. I’ve also learned that the Kingdom will not collapse if I say “no!” The Lord runs the universe; not me. I trust Him to give me the wisdom to make wise choices in spending His time, for each day is a gift from our Lord.
I wrote the following “psalm” having hurried through too many seasons of life.
The calendar is my shepherd, I shall not slow down.
It makes me to hurry through each day.
It leads me to distraction.
It drains my soul.
Yea, though I run through the hours of my life,
I cannot keep up.
The clock and the day-timer, they beckon me.
I prepare my day in the presence of my To Do List.
My schedule runneth over.
Surely fatigue and stress shall follow me all the days of my life,
And I will long for a place of rest forever!
I’m sure many of us can identify with this! I’ve found that some activities help me to slow down and feel restored, while others only make me run harder with more responsibilities added to an already over-full plate. Make an effort to balance your family’s activities to include plenty of time for rest and renewal.
One relaxing activity I’ve enjoyed this year is gardening. I purchased one packet of wildflower seeds from
Wildseed Farms,
www.wildseedfarms.com, for about $10. I had more than enough to fill a large flower bed. Preparation was simple: sprinkle the seeds over loose soil, and water each day for the first few weeks. Each day we’ve been delighted to discover new flowers blooming. Neighbors stop by to enjoy the show and it’s been fun to invite some of the little ones in our neighborhood to pick a flower for Mommy! Beautiful butterflies add to the show.
Wildseed Farms sells hundreds of wildflower seeds; be sure to purchase those that are designated for your area of the country. I found it easier to order the special Southeastern Wildflower Mix, a good mix of flowers for our hot southeast.
Gardening is a relaxing activity the whole family can enjoy. Children love to plant seeds, water the garden and wait with eager anticipation to see what will come up!
Here are some photos from my garden so far this year.
Cosmos with morning dew still on the petals.
Miniature sunflowers will later provide seeds for the birds.
Be sure to read the devotional,
“Life’s Speed Limits.” You may also enjoy reading a previous Online Letter,
“Summer During the 1950’s.” Be sure to check the Online Letter
Archives for recipes and homemaking tips.
I pray you and your family will enjoy this summer!
Until next time ~
Yours in Him,
Copyright, 2008, Laurie Latour.
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