Dear Friends ~
Summer has officially arrived in this neck of the woods ... complete with cool rainy weather, sweatshirts at the ready, and more cups of hot tea than the iced variety.
Such is the nature of this life God has blessed us with. We never quite know what's coming around the next corner.
But He does.
I love that.
*
I often encourage the people in my world to give themselves plenty of grace and space. Those words of tender permission are usually offered as a hopeful option in the midst of crazy schedules or a strength-sapping illness or some kind of event that's sucked the marrow out of their weary bodies and exhausted souls.
As we head off into this fresh new season, may I offer you the same encouragement? My hope is that we'll all make a series of gracious Christ-honoring choices that invite us to say a pleasant 'no, thank you' to routines and expectations that we'd do well in releasing for now.
And in doing so, embracing more of a spacious place to utter a lovely 'yes, please' to opportunities to rest, to reflect, to re-create, to be renewed in all the ways that matter most.
Are you experiencing a huge sigh of relief at the thought?
As we read the Gospels, we find that Jesus took time, even in the midst of the serious demands of ministry, to quietly escape out on a boat or up a mountain to find a still place to be with His Father ... to regroup, to pray, to soak in solitude and silence, to refuel for the enormous tasks that He knew would be coming.
Maybe we'd do well to do the same.
As I tap away here this morning it dawns on me that summertime offers the perfect opportunity to switch gears in my devotional time. I think I'll take a pause from reading through the Bible to simply focus on slowly reading through the Gospels this summer. Matthew, Mark, Luke, John.
I need to be reminded yet again on how to do life and ministry well.
Care to join me?
Linda
P.S.
What would it look like for you to choose grace and space this summer?
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This encourages me so, Linda. As you read, I'm taking a break from blogging this summer. I sometimes feel a bit guilty about it, but you have always given me that "tender permission" of allowing myself grace and space. Various life events have truly sucked the marrow out of my weary body and exhausted soul. I need to rest, reflect, and be renewed. Thank you so much for all your encouragement! Love and blessings of a restful, refreshing summer!
ReplyDeleteDear Trudy, you are so wise to pull back and take a break. May this become a season of hope and healing for you and yours.
DeleteTrust me, you will be missed, friend ...
Linda ... yet again, your words and pictures have been like a warm blanket on a cold day. This, especially: "We never quite know what's coming around the next corner. But He does." Amen and amen. Not sure what "grace and space" looks like for me right now, but I'm thankful that it's OK to figure it out as I go along. I'm holding my expectations for summer blogging very loosely ... if I write one week and skip the next, that will be just fine. Hugs, friend ... and happy summer to you.
ReplyDeleteYes, you're so right, Lois ... we figure out what we need as we go along. We listen to the Spirit's whisper as He says, 'this is the way, walk ye in it' {Isaiah 30:21}.
DeletePraying for you as you grieve and mourn and smile at the memories. One day at a time ...
* hug *
Summertime is my favorite time of year. I love that relaxed feeling and being able to kick back and enjoy the warmth and sunshine. The Gospels sounds like a great summer reading plan!
ReplyDeleteWarmth and sunshine. Yes, please! Spring has lingered far too long this year ...
Delete;-}
We all need some time to rest ... and pray.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Amen.
DeleteYes, I agree Linda, being kind to oneself & enjoying our relationship with God in the spacious place of His grace... What joy!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! :-D
Bless you,
Jennifer
Yes, let's enjoy our minute by minute relationship with God ... and not make it one more thing to check off our to-do list.
DeleteI love sensing His presence as I make my way through the day. How blessed we are to have His Spirit living in our very beings.
Wow. Thank You, Jesus ...
Grace and space . . . I love this, Linda! Yes, there will be times this summer that I will step back from my blog and break from the usual routine. It truly is regenerating to slow the pace and put fewer demands on our day, instead choosing to spend more quiet time with God.
ReplyDeleteMay your summer be blessed!
You hit the nail on the head with that 'fewer demands' phrase, Martha. I'm thinking that more oft' than not, they are self-imposed ... and can be adjusted if we truly desire to do so.
Delete;-)
The graces of the easy days
ReplyDeleteare far away from where I stand;
I have to play it as it lays,
and how it lays is not as planned.
If I move, I outrun fate
and am saved from time's fell reach.
perhaps it's not a lot, too late,
'twas thus did cancer teach.
And so, the safety valve is locked
that speed and pressure build.
In this way death is gently mocked,
but I know I'll soon be killed.
I do not ken what lies ahead,
but I shall rest when I am dead.
May you, Barb, and the lads find moments of grace-filled rest and peace this weekend, friend.
DeleteHow encouraging dear Linda...grace and space! This is a perfect time...summer to allow myself to slow down and just enjoy the moment. My hubby and I made a little four day getaway last week and it was a wonderful time to slow down and rest. Thank you for the reminder!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it amazing how just a few days away can refresh body and soul?
DeleteLove that you were able to escape with your man, Pam!
My summertime will be filled so full I'm not sure there will be grace and space. Okay maybe a lot of grace but not much space. Taking care of my sister-in-law's place is going to be a chore. I'm taking my bike though so I can have some space (providing it doesn't rain like it has been here).
ReplyDeleteSounds like you're filled with grace ... and maybe that bike will give you some space?!
Delete;-)
I think grace and space for me has mostly been about not listening to the "shoulds". They don't disappear with retirement. One day at a time.
ReplyDeleteDon't you just love having this clean slate, this fresh palette stretching out in front of you?
DeleteI'm so excited for the opportunities that await ...
I'm brushing off the 'shoulds' right along with ya, friend.
Such beautiful and much-needed encouragement, Linda! Thank you for sharing what God places upon your heart. Happy Summer to you!
ReplyDeleteAnd you've encouraged me by being here, Cheryl!
DeleteYour encouragement always feels like sweet nectar for my soul. Grace and space sounds dreamy and it is something I continue to pray for discernment as to what that should look like. Thank you for sharing these words with all of us.
ReplyDeleteI love the way you've put it, Mary, the need to pray for discernment on what grace and space looks like for today. For each of us, this is personal and shifts from season to season.
DeleteThanks for your input here.
Always!
Linda, I love the thought of welcoming a spacious place to rest, reflect, and recreate. Even typing those words sounds soothing. I'm heading off today to camp with my husband. It's a neat camp ground in NC and our favorite spot beside a creek. Listening to the water trickle over rocks during the day and especially at night laying in our little camper is part of heaven on earth. Looking forward to it so much.
ReplyDeleteKaren, hi! Just the thought of the sounds of water trickling over rocks makes my heart still, my breathing slow.
DeleteA little camper down south sounds sublime. Enjoy!
Grace and space. I love that God knew we needed seasons to bring us the reminder to take the days a little slower and give ourselves the gifts of both grace and space. Grace to see the wonders and beauty in each day, and the space - the fresh outdoors. Summer is the perfect time to offer ourselves both. Thank you for sharing your wisdom!
ReplyDeleteYou're so right, Joanne! God knew what body and soul needed when He unfurled His creation in all its intricacies and splendors!
DeleteYet another cause for praise this morning ...
Thank you for the wonderful reminder, Linda, that Jesus showed us by example we need to take some quiet time to reflect and meditate, away from the crowds and the busyness of life. Summertime is the perfect time to do exactly that. So good!
ReplyDeleteYes! I'm fascinated that even in the midst of the great neediness clamoring for His attention, Jesus knew what He had to do to honor His Father.
DeleteEven if it meant that the people who surrounded Him didn't burst into applause ...
We've been told that rest is not always luxury. Sometimes it is a necessity. It must be true! Thanks for this reminder. Many blessings to you!
ReplyDeleteWithout rest, we'll whither and fade away.
DeleteNo wonder God created Sabbath ... He knew we'd need a regularly scheduled time to be still in all the ways that matter most.