As the Louisiana summer bears down on us, the heat can feel almost unrelenting. We step outside and immediately wish for cooler days, for that first crisp breeze of autumn. Yet, when winter finally rolls around, we find ourselves longing for the warmth of summer. It’s a cycle we all fall into, always looking ahead to what’s next instead of embracing the present.
The truth is, this mindset sets us up to miss the beauty around us in everyday life. In the same way we wish away seasons of weather, we often wish away seasons of life. When we are young, we want to be older; when we are busy raising children, we dream of quiet; when life slows down, we miss the noise. But every season holds its own gifts, lessons, and joys if we are willing to embrace them.
The kids and I played a game as they were growing up called The Thankful Game. When one of us had a particularly bad day, we’d all sit around in a circle and each name things we were thankful for. I didn’t design the game to negate the bad, but to simply refocus on what was good. And it always worked. Still to this day, I will close my eyes and play The Thankful Game.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us, “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” God did not design our days for us to live constantly waiting for the next thing. He gave us now, this moment, this breath, this season, to learn, to grow, and to enjoy or to discover contentment.
So instead of counting down the days until cooler weather, let’s look around and savor the sweet tea on the porch, the laughter of friends over a backyard barbecue, and, yes, even the heat, because before we know it, we’ll be praying for it. Let’s trust that each season of life, no matter how hot, hard, hurried, or cold, has a purpose in God’s plan.
This summer, I hope you rest in whatever season you’re in. Be present. Be content. Be grateful. Listen. Learn. And let your heart stand on the truth that God’s timing is always perfect.
With lots of Louisiana warmth (and a tall glass of sweet tea)!