Sweet Summertime

It's summertime. That means long days at the pool, the anticipation of going to the beach and sinking your toes in that cool sand. It's smooth legs and tank tops, Barbeque's and cold lemonade, spending all day with your children who are now out of school. It means ice cream and Popsicle's and staying up late to watch fire flies. It means finally getting to read a book as you sunbathe and add a little color to your skin. It means later bedtimes as the sun keeps us awake a little longer. The smell of freshly cut grass and hearing birds chirping and dogs barking. Summertime means getting to buy colorful flowers and planting them in your garden. It means getting to watch the butterflies and ladybugs up close in your yard. Summertime means fun and relaxation...right?

It can also mean cranky kids who never cease to tell you how bored they are. It means taking them to this summer camp or this church function. It becomes too hot to let your kids outside to play in the yard. It means giving baths every night because they are so sweaty from just walking to get the mail. It means higher gas prices and eating out because its too hot to run your oven. It means over exhausted air conditioners that can't ever seem to make your house cool enough. It means frozen food that is all thawed out by the time you get home from the grocery store. Your time alone is cut short, as your kids wake up earlier and stay awake later. You can't go a day without frizzy hair and feeling sweaty. It means gnats, mosquito's and roaches. 'Nuff said.

How do you look at summer? Life really is all about attitude isn't it? I am amazed at how two different people can look at the same situation with completly different outlooks. As you reflect on this season, always keep your eyes open to how He is tryng to show you Himself. I love how the Lord is constant, yet He's always changing our environment. There has always been a summertime since the beginning of time. And you can probably bet that unless He comes to take us all home with Him-there will be a summertime next year too! I love seeing His creativity in the way the world changes just in my own backyard. He never really gives us a chance to get bored does He?

Embrace these next two months. The pictures you take today will be the only thing left of this moment. Before you know it, school will be starting again and the weather will be getting cooler. The flowers will fade away and the days will become shorter. Seize the day and remember to smile!