June comes and with it the end of a school year. Several months stretch before me and with this is the anticipation of no set schedules, sunny, relaxing days and the freedom to come and go when I want without the usual busyness of life. I empty myself of the clutter from the school year and work hard to renew and restore myself with all of summer’s goodness. The days stretched out before me almost feel like guilty pleasure until I am reminded that in order to refill, I need to first empty myself of all the stress-filled moments from the school year. In the process of emptying myself of everything, I indulge in summer’s sweet rest.
From the outside looking in, summertime appears as laziness until you look closely at the process of rejuvenation that is taking place. Summer is a gift I am blessed with as a teacher. I treasure this gift and want to make the most of it, so I step back during the summer in order to be a better teacher throughout the school year. Rest is a gift that you can allow yourself to receive when you are empty and need to be filled again. For me, summer is my time to fill up the empty spaces and slow down. Everyone needs to find their sweet summer time of rest.
Some ways to create this slowing down and being intentional with your time are as follows:
1. Long walks
This is my time to meander through a favorite park and listen for God’s whispers among the trees.
2. Lunches, dinners and just extra time to connect with friends
These occasions are so sweet because I am filled with love and relationships that are nurtured during this time.
3. Renew and reacquaint myself with me!
The joy of slowing down comes in these moments when you remind yourself that you are worthy in God’s eyes and in your own.
4. Reading – lots of reading!
Reading feeds my soul and just fills me with a sense of accomplishment.
Sweet Summer Memories
Summer is my time for rest. A time for being intentional with how I structure my day. A time for slowing down, going slow and enjoying what the day brings. A time to go at God’s pace and not my own. A time to just be!
Memories are captured in the snapshots above-moments that I would have missed if I did not slow down to enjoy. Summer’s sweet rest creates memories that will be savored in the quiet moments I gift myself with during the busy school year.
God promises us rest and the restoring of our lives. Go to Him during your stress-filled days and lay it all before Him. The promises of renewal are good and like a fresh breeze when we release it all and thank Him for the gifts that He shares.
May these verses serve as a reminder of God’s promises!
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:28-29
Your righteousness, God, reaches to the heavens,
you who have done great things.
Who is like you, God?
20 Though you have made me see troubles,
many and bitter,
you will restore my life again;
from the depths of the earth
you will again bring me up. Psalm 71:19-20
Blessings,
Mary
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Love your photos! We all need to slow down and take a rest sometimes, don’t we? And not just during the summer! I love how your ideas can be incorporated into our daily and weekly lives regardless of the season. Thanks for linking up this week, Mary. xoxo
Thanks Holly! I’m praying hard that the summer rest will carry over and that I certainly can take some of these moments to remind me to slow down, breathe and be still. So glad you were encouraged by this! Hugs!
Oh how I wish I could rest in the Summer months. But with holding down a full-time job, most of my days look the same, no matter the season. I would love to sit out on the porch, gazing into the sun and be reminded of His love, lingering there for a bit.
I pray that you find your rest in little moments throughout your day. May God send reminders like a breath of fresh air or a walk outside at lunchtime. It truly is in these small memories that we can pull them back in when the weight of the world is trying to knock us down. Love you friend!
I can’t believe summer is already over! This is beautiful, Mary, your pictures and words. I love the verses you chose. I have to remind myself daily about His promises of rest and restoring- 2 things I’ m always in need of. I’m so glad to hear you had a wonderful summer. I know teachers must have a great deal of stress through the school year. You definitely deserve the summers to refresh. Praying for a peaceful school year for you, my friend!
Thank you Candace! Your words are such a blessing to me! I pray that you create restful moments that being you restoring amidst the craziness of this new school year too. As a mom you have moments that are are stressful due to children’s schedules as well as your own. Treat yourself when you can!
I appreciate your post, and your love for summer’s rest! I love our slower pace during the summer months! “Rest is a gift that you can allow yourself to receive when you are empty and need to be filled again.” Great insight, Mary, and so very true! So happy you’ve rested during these months. Praying for you as school begins again. Ours begins tomorrow. I don’t like to see summer end. Blessings!
Thanks Julie for stopping over here. When summer ends I always become sad and reflective of those memories that I want to carry with me throughout the rest of the year. Thank you for the prayers and I’m praying for all as the school year begins that God blesses each classroom, teacher, student and parents who interact with children each day. Blessings!
I don’t know whether I like the pictures or the sentiment better!
So glad you stopped by! The pictures definitely take me back to those memories that I created this summer. Happy Tuesday to you!
If I had a park with swans nearby I may never go home 🙂 I need to find my “summer of rest”. This was beautifully written, Mary, one to savor and remember. Thank you.
Thank you June! The interesting thing is that the swans were at a nearby cemetery that is absolutely beautiful and they love having people come to walk and enjoy its beauty. Blessed that you stopped by today!
“The promises of renewal are good and like a fresh breeze when we release it all and thank Him for the gifts that He shares.” Amen! I have good memories from long bike rides, time with family and friends and quiet moments on my patio. I do so love summer. I’m hoping the warmer weather stretches out a little bit farther to enjoy with my husband when he returns. But even if it doesn’t there won’t be any complaining here. 🙂 This was a refreshing post, Mary. Blessings to you as the school year begins. Thankful for the time of renewal you had with Him. xoxo
I am so thankful for summer renewal. I’m praying that we all can tap into summer memories to sustain us as we continue through the year. Stepping back and letting God’s rest and renewal wash over us will be such a gift especially during those moments when the struggles outweigh the joys. Blessings, my friend!
… and i just don’t want it to end …
Me too!!! Let’s hope those beautiful memories we created last throughout the year.