Savoring the Sweetness of Summertime - Encouragement Café - July 31

Savoring the Sweetness of Summertime
 By Mindy Lee Hopman

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV

As a child, I thought that time passed very slowly. I was always looking forward to the next stage of life: growing up, graduating, going to college, getting married, and having children.

Now that I have children in my home, and I love this season of life so much, I need for time to slow down! But time moves quickly these days.

So, slow down summertime! My family needs you!

We need long walks on the beach, time to sit around the table for dinner, and time to play games until late at night. We need ice cream and popsicles after long, hot days. We need time to read, time to write, time to build and be creative, and time to have coffee dates or lunch with friends, family, and former students.

There is always so much I want to do with my family during summertime - and then I remind myself to slow down. Breathe. Take it all in. We do not need to move at school-year pace. It's summertime.

And God whispers to me, "Rest."

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”Psalm 46:10 NIV

I think God wants me to be still long enough to savor the moments. He wants me to open my eyes to see that He has already done more than I could have even imagined in my own life.

God knew that I would come out of a broken home. He knew He would give me a man to marry who would love Him and together we would agree to build our marriage on the Rock. He knew that He would give me the opportunity to stay home to raise my children when they were young, and then He knew that I would be involved in their education when they got older.

God knew that I had a heart for Him and that I would seek Him so that I could know Him and then share Him. Wow, He knew my story so well because He wrote my story.

God can see the big picture from the beginning of time to the end of time, while we can only see a snapshot of time. His ways are higher than mine and so much better.

So I can be still and rest in Him. I may not do everything we have on the "agenda" this summer, and we may not get all of our projects finished, but we will enjoy the process and take time to play and reconnect because time is moving too quickly these days.

My eyes see everything that needs to get finished, but my heart knows that we all need a little time for our souls to rest, reconnect, and just be one in Him.

When we take time to rest in Him, He moves beyond our expectations and with Him, time is eternal and for that, I am grateful.

Heavenly Father, I praise You for who You are and for the gift of Your Son on the cross whose poured out blood offers forgiveness and reconciliation to all who choose to believe. This gift gives us courage, hope, and peace as we rest in You for eternity. In You our hearts are full and time has no limits. Thank You. In Jesus' precious name I pray, Amen 

However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”-- the things God has prepared for those who love him. 1 Corinthians 2:9 NIV

© 2021 by Mindy Lee Hopman.  All rights reserved.

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