Summer
is my favorite time of year—usually. The
sunny summer days, warm nights, and the sound of tree frogs and crickets in the
back yard. Several days away from home
for a vacation to the beach or a favorite mountain retreat. Well, maybe next
year!!!
During the first few weeks of summer, we dealt with the death of Charles’ sister, Marion, traveling to Louisiana for her funeral. We spent a few days in Florida on the way visiting with my sister, Audrey, in hospice care.
After coming home, we rested for a few days and decided to head to the north Georgia mountains to celebrate our anniversary. We didn’t make it far before we both got sick and had to head home. Our Covid diagnosis left us coughing and sneezing and isolated for a week. When our 16-year-old air conditioner quit, we suffered with the heat and humidity for ten days until a new HVAC system was installed.
Trying to conserve our funds, we stayed home, and I cooked until our oven and stove decided to take a vacation. Now we are in the process of looking for a new gas range.
It
hasn’t been a relaxing or inexpensive summer so far, and we don’t know what the
next few weeks will bring. We’re very thankful we had the funds to cover our
major expenses.
Last Sunday in our Life Group we taught about the prophet Elijah on Mt. Carmel and how he experienced tremendous victory against the prophets of the false god Baal. On hearing of threats on his life from Jezebel, he ran away and hid from his pursuers, and from God. But God found him and ministered to his depression and gave him a new purpose in life.
I can relate to the story because I’ve had times I wanted to run away and hide. You probably have too. As we hear of the craziness in our world and in our streets, we shake our heads and fear for our future and our succeeding generations. God wants to give us a new purpose in life to be a willing witness for him and to do our part to spread his Word. When we press through our trials, we set an example for others to follow.
So,
here’s to summer—warts and all.
“Summertime is the best of what might be.” Charles Bowden
