Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay
Afternoon storms, buzzing bumblers, and Ricky the lizard give it away.
Summer is rounding the corner. And although this is the season known for relaxation, it can become one of the busiest in no time flat.
If I’m not careful, my heart can become a hurried one, drying out quicker than the beach towels sunning on my deck after an afternoon swim. When I hear the edges of my heart begin to crisp, I know there’s only one way to reset my stay-in-step with the Spirit button and that’s to set aside some dedicated time to spend with God.
Confession, repentance, and receiving God’s grace and mercy help me get back on track, but how do I keep my heart hydrated to avoid the snap crackle pop in the first place?
“The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.” Isaiah 58:11
It’s hard to be guided when we get ahead of God.
Another way to keep the heart hydrated?
Remain attentive to the small but generous goodness of God that water the soul and refresh our spirit.
Want to join me as you did in spring to pause and praise our Maker for these morsels of goodness?
What We See:
- Fireflies glittering in all their glory when the world goes to sleep.
- Summer sunsets (Click here to download/print sunset verses to read as you see the day come to a close.)
- The United States of America flag flying high!
- Children splashing in the pool with smiles that stretch ear-to-ear. “Then followed that beautiful season…Summer…filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light, and the landscape lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood.” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
What We Hear:
- If we’re lucky, the chug of homemade peach ice cream churning on the back porch. Is there anything more delightful?
- Hot licks of fire and the sound of delicious that happens when marshmallows and chocolate bars collide in between graham crackers.
- Thundering waves pounding the shore.
- The crack of a ripened watermelon. Followed by the sound of a salt shaker. (Is that weird?)
- Fireworks celebrating our freedom. (Thank You, Lord!)
- Flip flops slapping cement.
- Your breath as you quietly lie on a blanket taking in all summer has to offer. “Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under the trees on a summer’s day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.” John Lubbock
What We Smell:
- Coconut and sunshine in a bottle: Coppertone.
- Salty breezes.
- Cheeseburgers sizzling on the grill.
- The earthy, fresh scent created after a summer thunderstorm.
What We Touch:
- Those first slow and methodical steps into the pool, or the slicing of water if you’re brave enough to dive in before dipping the toes.
- Granules of sand.
- The warmth of your skin.
- Berries! It’s the perfect picking season.
- The force of wind when you poke your arm out the car window on a sunny day.
What We Taste:
- Syrupy sweet Popsicles that can be broken in half and shared. Or stowed away in the back of a freezer to be enjoyed alone. Not that I’d know anything about that.
- The nectar from a slightly squeezed honeysuckle blossom.
- The fresh tang of cilantro…on anything!
- Green matcha latte with whole milk, two extra scoops of matcha, and stevia (Is that too specific? Okay, it’s my new favorite but leave a comment below to be included in a Starbucks giveaway so you can enjoy your own favorite summertime drink!)
From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the LORD is to be praised. Psalm 113:3 ESV
So tell me, what’s one good gift from God you will pause to praise this summer? Is it something you see, hear, sniff, touch, or taste?
(The winner of the $10.00 Starbucks gift card will be notified next Monday!) *** Congratulations Charla Matthews!
Thank you for stopping by! I hope you’ll decide to stay awhile. If you’d like to become a part of the community, simply type your e-address in the righthand sidebar. >>>> Bi-weekly posts offer a pause of goodness to your busy days, and once a month, you’ll also receive a fun but pithy newsletter that shares the latest happenings in the Tiny House on the Hill, along with practical ideas on drawing nearer to God and loving others well.
So, come on over and sit a spell. I’d love to get to know you!
One good gift from God I’m pausing and praising Him for as we enter summer is the way He calls me to Himself when things get crazy, and how He wraps His arms around me and fills me with His peace. No better place to be. 😀
Amen, Sandra! Regardless of circumstances, He is there — and there truly is no better place to be. I pray your summer will be filled with opportunities for both pausing and praising. I look forward to us getting together once our area isn’t a hot spot. 🙁 Blessings!!!
Amen Ms. Cathy. God created each of our physical senses so we could fully experience His love for us. Well demonstrated ma’am
Thank you, JD! I always appreciate how you bring in the senses to your posts. I feel like I actually know something about cattle because of your stellar descriptions of farm life. Blessings, friend.
Thank you for this post, Cathy. The saving grace of my year has been the One Year Bible reading plan I began in September. At a time when I was struggling, that one decision has been the best I’ve made to carry me through 2020. The smell of coffee in my cup, the touch of pages as I read God’s Word is always precious to me. No matter how many times I read it, to hear the verses that stand out as I go back and read them aloud causes me to taste and see that the Lord is good. So grateful for His truth that grounds us when we go through difficult times.
Thank you for sharing this, Nicki. The sweetness of His presence, His going before us and preparing what we’ll need before we even know it is one of the most cherished gifts as a Christ-follower. Your words are so encouraging. Thank you!
First– I can almost taste the cataloupe on your page! And I allways love the vivid pictures you paint with words. So much to absorb in summer but most recently the laughter of grands in the pool as they kick from place to place and the splashing sound from the older ones jumping off a diving board.
You’re right, Marilyn. It’s hard to beat the sound of our grandchildren enjoying themselves. What a blessing! Thank you for taking the time to share. 🙂
Love your sensory descriptions, Cathy! Coppertone smells at the beach, oh yes! And cracking open that watermelon…my very most favorite food in the world!!! Yum! You bring restoration to my soul, friend, every time I read something you write! Today’s post was an adventure in traveling back to childhood. I just loved it. Stay safe and be blessed. Barbara
And you bring much encouragement to mine, Barbara. (Watermelon is one of my faves, too!) Thank you for taking the time to read my posts and comment. What a blessing!
Sunsets. The excitement of watching them slowly disappearing. Each morning upon arising I say out loud Psalm 113:3. A smile crossed my face when I read how you incorporated it in your post. I also loved the image, perfect for the summer that is soon to start. With all that is happening in our world at this time your words are so uplifting. God is so good and all He created for our pleasure is what I’m focusing on. Thank you Cathy for your encouraging words.
Thank you for yours as well, Elaine. Focusing on God’s goodness lifts our spirits in ways that no one or nothing else can match. I love your idea of speaking Psalm 113:3 every morning. 🙂 Blessings!!
Sunscreen on my skin, fresh strawberries, gentle breeze in the trees, tinkling of ice cubes in my glass, freshly mowed lawn, fireflies dancing at dusk, and the intoxicati g scent of moon flowers from my porch.
Yes, Jeanne, yes! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Your words create memorable moments. Some I can even seem to taste like popsicles melting over the fingers in the summer sun. Sweet memories. Write on!
Thanks for stopping by, Carolyn! Can you believe this weather? I doubt even a Popsicle would melt. Ha! Blessings, friend.
So good to be able to use all of my senses to enjoy the summer season! And glad for a bit of a flexible schedule to allow me to do that!
Hi, Becki! I couldn’t agree more. 🙂 Enjoy your flexible schedule — what a blessing! Thanks so much for taking time to stop by and share.
Yes! The smells, tastes, sights, sounds and feels of summer are wonderful — and you took us there! Thank you. And a good sweet watermelon with a salt shaker nearby, now we’re talking (though my hubby gags on that idea-so I’ll take his share of salt, thank-you-very-much!) Thanks for a post to warm the soul in an uncomfortable time for most.
I think people either love salt on their watermelon or they don’t – no in between! 🙂 I’ll gladly share my salt shaker with you, Tammy. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by! I always love seeing your picture. How could a person not smile back?
You’re too kind!
I am drawn to anything regarding the 5 senses plus instinct or ‘gut knowledge’. These add so much to the story world.
I couldn’t agree more, Ethel. Thanks so much for stopping by!
Dahlia blooms, bumble bees, hummingbirds, strawberry ice cream, and early morning coffee on the deck. 🙂
Yes, yes, yes, yes, and yes! Your Dahlia picture from a couple of weeks ago was stunning. It’s definitely a favorite of mine. Thanks for taking the time to share, Tammy!
Hi Cathy, I love the sights and sounds of an array of birds feasting at our bird feeders. They are a happy reminder of God’s glorious creation.
Hi Maureen! It’s always a blessing to see you here. 🙂 I love birds but we had to put up our feeders because the bears liked them too. They toted our seed pail all the way to the woods (quite the hike) and dumped out every last seed. Their scratch marks on still on it! I hope we can put them back up in a few weeks. Thanks so much for sharing!
Cathy, I’m like Maureen – I love to watch for birds and listen to their songs too. I also love to try to capture good photos of them. Another creative outlet for me for sure 🙂
It’s a beautiful outlet indeed, Cheryl! Thanks so much for stopping by today. Blessings…
I make a point to always spend at least five minutes on my balcony in the evening. The experience is all encompassing: fireflies to watch dance, frogs and geese to hear sing, the breeze to feel kiss my cheeks, and it all warms and elevates my soul, confirming my move to the South was exactly what my life needed from me.
What a lovely way to end a day, Molly. I know we’re delighted you decided to move to the South. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
I love imagining the things you list for our summer senses…Hearing the water splash as I row through it on a kayak is one of my favorite sounds, and the smell of my garden flowers has to be one of my favorite aromas! Thank you for your creative posts!
I imagine kayaking would create all kinds of sensory delights! Thanks so much for taking the time to share, Stephanie. Blessings!
Just having my immediate family together and healthy.
Yes, Kathleen! If we learned anything from this pandemic it’s that family and healthy bodies are two of God’s greatest gifts. Thank you for sharing. 🙂
I am praising the Lord for being able to worship in person with others! It was only online for around 3 months.
I understand, Martha! We’re meeting outside but it’s a blessing to see faces, join together in song, and worship together. Thank you for sharing. Have a blessed weekend!
Fireflies. Silent beacons turning my spirit toward wonder. Those little twinklers always slow my pace and lift my spirit. But today I experienced a new summertime joy for which I praise God. My 28 year-old son called and bid me to look out the window. There he was, bouncing on a trampoline he set up for our granddaughter. For a moment, I saw him as my little toe-headed bouncing boy from many summers ago. Hearing his joy. Watching him play. Feeling his love. Pure goodness. Thank you, friend. I needed your sense-laden post today!
Oh my goodness, Charla! What a sweet fella you have there. Guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing, sweet friend.
Nope, not weird to hear the crack open of a watermelon followed by the salt shaker! LOL. Mmm. Summer is awesome! Enjoy yours!
Oh, I’m happy to know I’m not the only one who enjoys salt on watermelon. Ha!! I hope you’re enjoying summer too. 🙂 Blessings, friend.
This is my summer working from home. I’ve dreamed of working from home, imagined it and longed for it – never thought it would ever happen like this, but I’ll take it!
I think it would be a dream to work from your home too! Such beautiful scenery. Enjoy!