Conquering the Summer Blues
Summer is officially in full swing and the Sterks couldn’t be more excited! As much as I thrive on routines and schedules, there is something about waking up to the birds singing and listening to them for just a few more minutes in the morning. In Michigan, we sort of skipped over spring in the sense that it was 90 one week and the next, well, in the high 30s. I also heard reports that at one point there were snowflake, but I’ve to tried forget about that idea, so I’m not sure. As of late though, it’s been sun and SUN. So much so that this girl’s skin needed a bit of a break! I’ve learned that the “new” med I’m on causes skin sensitivity to the sun, which sure explains the itching and pins and needles feeling!
Summer brings on a whole gamut of emotions. We want to do “all the things”, go there, sight-see here, work on this project, do “this” with our kids, etc. The laundry list is long and I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels like summer is never long enough. Then we start to feel anxious, maybe a bit depressed, realizing we can’t do it all, jealous when we see everyone else checking off everything on their list. Then our self-worth goes down because we think we aren’t good enough or aren’t doing enough.
My friend, even this summer, stop looking around and keep looking up! When we start to feel summer anxiety set in, realize that it’s often because when we scroll through social media, we compile this idea in our heads that everyone is doing everything. But us. Lest we forget that the pictures we see are of maybe that family’s ONE vacation, but through scrolling, you saw numerous family’s ONE vacation, which makes ya think that people are vacationing all the time. Maybe for some that’s true, but I doubt for the majority. Instead of wishing you could do what they did, look up and realize what you CAN do!
Maybe it’s a walk around the block with the family. Maybe it’s grabbing ice cream for a special treat. Maybe it’s taking a drive to wherever the car leads. Maybe it’s something planned and has been planned for awhile. Don’t forget to look at the blessings on YOUR calendar. Or the blessings that AREN’T written down. Sometimes just having a clean slate is where our biggest blessings are found. It’s in the surprises and the spontaneous moments that we can see God just as much as in the planned. In fact, I’d almost say we sometimes recognize God more in the surprises because it comes out of nowhere!
Whether your summer calendar is full or whether it is fairly empty, be careful to not look at those around you too long, especially when scrolling. And when you do, choose this day to look UP and realize that God has so much to offer to YOU this summer, as long as we are willing to recognize it, accept it, and give it back to him through gratitude. And don’t forget to celebrate with those who are able to take a vacation they’ve been dreaming about for awhile! Don’t let other’s opportunities cause envy within your own heart. Join with them in the excitement and you too will find your OWN excitement in life as well.
Here’s to an amazing summer and one that is all about the story God is writing for YOUR life!
