A Summer to Savor

Summer is here! My youngest daughter is driving home from college today and will spend a month at home before moving off to start her new life in NYC. My oldest daughter, will be home in a few weeks with her husband and our granddaughter for a long weekend visit on Father’s Day. We’ll all be together!  I want the days to linger. I want to savor the moments. Cherish the time. Don’t you? 

Each year we all look forward to the days of summer. I remember summertime when my children were little. 
Lazy days. 
     Sleeping in. 
              Strolls to the park. 
                         Little girl sleepovers. 
                                                   Laughter. 
  Cookies and lemonade stands.
                 Beach days. 
                           Picnics.
                                  Vacations to Callaway Gardens with special friends. 
Road trips. 
        Lunches with girl friends. 
              Craft projects. 
                           Barbecues. 
                                 Reading a good book or two. 
                                                    The joy of no routine.

 Relaxing..... Refueling..... Resting....... 

Maybe your summer is still filled with laughing little ones running through the house.
Savor the days! They will fly by and it will soon be September and another summer gone.

 Or maybe like me, your children are grown and your mind is filled with precious memories and you would just love to recapture the wonder of it all.
God placed the seasons of the weather to change throughout the year just as He has ordered the seasons of our lives. The change is good. It’s easy to get stuck in the routine, in the ordinary, in the expected....and loose our joy, our wonder, the simple things of life.

There is a purpose for each season.

So this summer.......take a break from the routine. 
Do something out of the ordinary. Just one thing!
It doesn’t have to cost extra money. 


Let your mind wander for a minute....

What would that one thing be for you this summer?

Maybe you're like our family and a fancy summer vacation is not in the budget this year. Maybe it never is. But how about a surprise candlelight romantic dinner with your honey, or an old fashioned picnic at the park or the lake. 

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If you’re like me, along with relaxing summer days, you probably have a project or two in mind that you want to tackle. So here’s a word of caution for me and maybe for you too. 
That’s great -- make the plans, but I’ve learned to hold them loosely. 

Let go of perfection and savor each day as it unfolds. 

Every summer I make plans to organize, declutter, and simplify my home.
Every summer I make a little progress, but never seem to complete the process.
I think I’ve come to understand that it will always be a process in our home.
And I’m ok with that.

 Sherry and I both feel the Lord impressing on us to tend to the home front this summer. 

Maybe you are there as well. But I don’t want “my” plans to interfere with God’s plans.

A perfectly ordered home, while a great goal, can never replace the joy of relationships that are nurtured in those lazy summer days. I’ll tackle that closet one more time, but drop the process in a minute to share a simple meal with friends or read a book with my granddaughter.

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So, if you’re a planner like me, maybe it would be better this summer to plan less tasks or projects and do a few well. That will leave more time for play and less stress. 
More time to truly take a break from the routine and slow things down a bit and recharge.

So get creative and plan a memorable summer that nurtures your soul and stirs your heart.

Take a piece of paper and make a list of the things that are “accessible” within your time and budget. Things that would bring delight, joy and beauty to you this summer. Think outside the box!
Dream a little..... 

Let your goal be things that will refresh and restore your faith, your relationships, your marriage, your home. Set a reasonable pace for your days and keep it simple.
(This will be more of a challenge for some of us! That would be me!) 
You may need to look at your list and cross off a few things! 

Don’t let your list rule your days. Keep it spontaneous and fun! Let go of the pressure and the crazy pace you’ve been living and give yourself permission to slow things down and enjoy your summer. Embrace this amazing life and the beautiful world our great God has created.

 Let’s look back on this summer and say we truly savored the days!

Restore Ministries will be taking a summer break from our “Monday Musings” blogs. 

Our goal is to recharge our minds, bodies and spirits by taking a little break from blogging. However, along with lazy summer days, we will be spending some time making plans for the new year which will include writing and creating a Christmas event. (Think Christmas in July for us!)
We will also begin the process of writing a new Retreat for Spring 2016 entitled "Come Unto Me." 

So please pray for us as the Lord brings Restore to your mind. We truly desire the Father’s heart and wisdom as we continue to seek His vision for Restore Ministries.

Mark these dates on your calendars for the coming months!

October 9-11 - “Abiding in Christ” Restore Retreat.  Registration is NOW OPEN!  Click here to register.

December 12 (Saturday 7pm) - Christmas Event - An Evening of Worship celebrating the true spirit of Christmas with beautiful music and drama. A Christmas celebration for everyone!   (LSU - Lod Cook Alumni Center Ballroom, Baton Rouge, LA) 
Registration will be open in July!

Spring 2016 (March) - “Come Unto Me” Restore Retreat (New) 

Have a blessed, restful summer! 
Enjoy and savor the summer days!

Kathy and Sherry 

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