I suspect that if you were to poll your friends and family about their favorite season of the year, summer would most likely not win (and probably not winter, either!). “Too hot and humid,” they might say. And yet, for me, there is something magical about summer. It possesses a special quality that extends beyond the warm weather so characteristic of the season.
For me summer is more than a time of year – it’s a state of being, a feeling of happiness that envelopes me. Perhaps because of the many happy memories I have from my childhood. When I was growing up it provided a break from school, with nearly entire days of vacation spent playing with friends, exploring our village, getting together at family reunions and going to the beach. Now those carefree days are past, yet I still find myself waking each morning with a feeling of anticipation knowing it’s summer – a beautiful gift from God!
“The heavens declare the glory of God, the skies proclaim the work of his hands!” (Ps.19:1)
This beautiful gift from God, this bountiful beauty, is abundantly evident at Maryville in the endless sky, the clouds that take on myriad shapes, the green grass poking out of the earth, the multicolored flowers that dot the lawn, and the majestic, silent trees. At the heart of all this breathtaking beauty is the lake, serene and welcoming on the surface, teaming below with life. This is summer at its loveliest, reflecting God’s glory and love!
As the psalmist says, “The earth is God’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who dwell in it.” (Ps. 42:1)
How reassuring and calming to know that we belong to such a loving Creator! And how marvelous that creation proclaims God’s glory and love no matter where we are! This season, may we allow God’s love to caress us like the summer breeze and let God’s glory uplift us each new day. Truly, God is good all year ‘round, and living is wonderful, especially in the summer!
