My Top Ten Summer Wishes

My Top Ten list this month: Summer Wishes
1. Light. What makes summer, of course, is the light. I wish light for you this summer. The kind that reveals, heals and makes things grow. I hope you will awaken to light and notice it all day as it moves across the sky creating golden streaks and all that gives us life.
2. Water. I hope you find a body or two of water to stare at this summer. It is the season for oceans, lakes, ponds, pools, sprinklers and water hoses. We all need cool cups of water. We all need rain. It actually lowers our blood pressure, stress and slows our breathing to just stare at a body of water.
3. Shade. I am praying for you some times of respite, when you notice the gift of a shade tree, a porch, a pop-up tent or a passing cloud. I also pray for you the gift of air conditioning when you need it. Aren’t we fortunate?
4. Bounty. This is when gardens give us gifts. Mine has radishes, green beans, strawberries, tomatoes and herbs already. This is when it is fun to get fresh fruit and vegetables from neighbors, roadside vegetable and fruit stands and farmers markets. What can you savor this summer that comes straight from nature’s summer bounty? Make sure you eat a just right ripe peach and let that juice run down your chin. Or get a watermelon and make a sticky mess, spit seeds, have a field day with all that the earth gives us.
5. Campfire conversations. What will you talk about around the fire, on the porch or as you watch the sun rise and fall? I believe those relaxed conversations are Holy.
6. Let yourself be a little lazy. Please linger this summer. Take a summer nap. Read whole books. Float in a pool or lake. Go fishing.
7. Allow awe. Watch a thunderstorm roll in. Check out the summer sky every day. Marvel at how hot it can get. Notice how grass feels on your bare feet. Did you see the stars, the moon, the fire fly, the hummingbird?
8. Say yes to the spirit’s nudging, to spontaneity, to the road trip, to the invitation to the neighbor’s cookout. Why not have s’mores, a snow cone or a porch picnic?
9. Embrace the cool. This is the time for cold drinks, homemade ice cream, popsicles, a cool dip in one of those bodies of water, ceiling fans. When you get to have something cool, treasure it. Notice the contrast.
10. Worship. Remember to give God thanks for the summer season. Live in reverence, grace and a spirit of thanksgiving. It has to be good for us to live in awe, wonder and thankfulness, right? We were created for gratitude.