S4 E8: How To Navigate A Not So Normal Summer with Intentionality

Hi everyone! 

I’m guessing that many of you were like me and a few months ago thought by the time we got to Summer our world would be looking a lot different.  And in some ways we would be right...it is definitely looking a lot different these days. 

The hope for somewhat “normal” Summer Days has dimmed which leads me to my thoughts today.

How can we navigate a “not so normal” Summer with Intentionality?!?

 I’ve noticed around the time I think things are getting back to a little normalcy I am quickly reminded how far we are from normal these days.

So here’s my first thought about living intentionally these days...

 Just because things are different doesn’t mean there is not opportunity every day for us to recognize and appreciate all the good that is all around us.

Sometimes seeing that good takes some extra effort on our part but we can do it friends!

We all have days where we feel the weight of all that is going on in the world, and we can feel those feelings but we don’t have to carry the weight of them. We are told in scripture to bring all those things to God. All that heaviness and all of our big feelings. He can wrap all of those things up in grace and peace and give us direction in any action we might need to take.

Many years ago when my husband and I first felt God redirecting our steps ministry wise it felt unsettling. I remember one night after a service where I had been crying out to God in prayer and I mean literally tears coming down my face crying, that one of my friends walked over to me as we were all walking out of the building and said Susan I just keep hearing “the joy of the Lord is your strength” To be honest when you’re not feeling real joyful that’s not the verse you want to be encouraged with. :) 

I have thought about those words many times throughout the years and Feel they are so meaningful for these days we find ourselves in. You might be finding it hard to find joy in the midst of all that is going on, but you can go to the Lord and find joy in him and that joy that can only be found by staying close to him will strengthen your heart and spirit to find the joy in your circumstance!

#2 Money doesn’t make memories...Intentional moments do.

When I think of some of my favorite moments growing up it wasn’t some fancy expensive family vacation it was intentional moments found in everyday life.

So whether it is you as an individual or your family. You don’t have to spend money to have fun! Get creative! With so many of our options taken away right now, it’s a great opportunity to spend time doing all the things we ignore when we are so busy running around.

And my last thought is this..

Stop putting your life on hold waiting for life to feel more normal.

You and I will never have the days again. You don’t want to get to the other side of Summer and find that you walked through your days complaining and continuously talking about “one day when things are back to normal”

This is our normal right now. So if you need to find or create a new rhythm then do that. Stop waiting. Stop wasting these precious days that we have been given.

Let’s be intentional about not only surviving the “heat” we are all feeling this summer season but let’s choose to thrive and have a joy filled summer to be remembered.