Dear Summer -

Dear Summer,

I think I am in love with you.

There is a playful nature about you that brings family and friends together. - Even the sun lingers when you are in town.

You give memories of warm vacays on the beach, sweet juicy watermelons from the garden, and lightning bugs in the still evenings.

You have invited me into a slower pace for a season that includes flip-flops and lazy afternoons.

You are pretty hot (but don't tell my husband.)

Come back next year so we can write another story together.

Hugs and Kisses -

Becky

Every Summer has a story. (Unknown)

I hope a part of this summer's story for you is celebrations! Summer is a great time to reflect on the good with a party! Life is hard. If you and I are not intentionally celebrating and thanking the Lord for His blessings, we can easily fall into negativity and ungratefulness. We pause to observe because “The Lord has done great things for us. We are glad” Psalm 126:3.

"The Lord has done great things for us. We are glad." Psalm 126:3

In the Old Testament, the children of Israel celebrated with feasts and gatherings. Exodus 23:16 reads, “Also you shall observe the Feast of the Harvest of the first fruits of your labors from what you sow in the field; also the Feast of the Ingathering at the end of the year when you gather in the fruit of your labors from the field.” The Jewish Sacred Calendar gives five offerings and seven feasts or festivals for celebrating.

In the New Testament, our Lord celebrated at the Wedding of Cana in John 2:1-12

'On the third day, there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him. After this, he went down to Capernaum with his mother and his brothers, and his disciples, and they stayed there for a few days.

When you and I celebrate, we observe the good. As we rejoice, our gratitude changes our attitude. We remember the goodness of our God in the midst of all the hard. When we celebrate, we are renewed. Celebrations are full of laughter, dancing, good food, and good times. Laughter is healing. Good food is nourishing. Dancing is therapeutic. Good times renew the soul.

Laughter is healing. Good food is nourishing. Dancing is therapeutic. Good times renew the soul.

Sarah Lundgren, author of 'Every Summer Has a Story,' says it this way: "Embrace the summer and all of its goodness. Start each day with a prayer of gratitude to our Father, and then go and enjoy the sunshine! Go to the beach, savor an ice cream cone, run through a sprinkler, tend to your garden–whatever brings you summer joy."

Enjoy your Summer, Friends! It's a great time to slow down and celebrate!