June 1, 2004

Summer Here We Come!

In spite of the temperatures hovering in “chilly” of late, the calendar 
says summer is upon us.  And with that comes all sorts of schedule 
changes, new responsibilities and different leisure activities.  Now we 
have to mow the grass, plant the garden (flower, vegetable or both), mow 
the grass, trim the bushes, mow the grass, clean the deck and the 
garage, and of course mow the grass!  We get to plan and take vacations, have 
picnics with family and friends, visit in the yard with neighbors we 
haven’t seen all winter and generally be outdoors for work and play.

With all the changes summer brings to our lives, what about our 
spiritual lives as well?  Is this not an appropriate time to take inventory 
here and do some house cleaning as well?  The garage and storage shed 
collects junk during the winter when we just stuff things in them rather 
than stand in the cold and really sort and properly store them where 
they belong.  And you know, we can do the same in our spiritual closets 
and cubby holes as well.  We hear good sermons or read good books and 
glean new insights and truths, and in our haste just tuck them away 
without really meditating or seriously contemplating their relevance to our 
lives.  We read our Bibles and pray and at the time were really affected 
by the Word of what we understood God saying to us.  But again, in our 
haste to move on to the next “important” event or activity, we stored 
that thought away without allowing it to have the full impact on our 
lives that God intended.

My challenge for you this writing would be to encourage you that during 
these “lazy, hazy days of summer”, that while examining winter 
collections in the garage or shed, that you perhaps also examine what you have 
collected in your spiritual storage bins that are in error or no longer 
have relevance for your life.  Perhaps teachings or readings from years 
ago planted wrong principles in your heart.  Recognize those and ask 
God to help you release and cleanse them from you.  And then those good 
things that need to be permanently implanted deep in your soul, ask Him 
to help you study, meditate and accomplish that, so that you can be all 
He wants you to be.  Just as warm days and gentle summer rains produce 
fruit and vegetables in our gardens and orchards, so times of 
reflection and examination in our hearts always produce good fruit in our 
spiritual lives.  

Take time this summer to enjoy the warm weather, outdoor times with 
neighbors and family and don’t forget to also enjoy the warmth of God’s 
presence in your life as you make Him the center of your summer life!

Until next time … love and prayers, 

RuthAnn Gleason, the Parson's Wife
ragleason@sbcglobal.net