During a reflective moment resting in the shade, I savored what felt like a rescue from a life I no longer recognized. Despite the triple digit heat wave oppressing my little corner of the world, I had braved an outing with my dog, Shalom. Finding a tiny clearing in the woods sheltered by huge oaks, we settled into the cool grass for refreshment before continuing our walk. As I watched Shalom embracing the simple joy of rolling in the cool grass, my mind wandered to the places bringing me the most joy right now. A few of the things coming to mind surprised me, but most spoke of my own growth in the area of finding joy in the simple things before me while living in the present moment more fully. Once back home, I composed a list of 7 things saving my summer life. While you may have your own list, come along and we’ll compare notes rejoicing in the goodness of God.

“God speaks through the events of your day, people, things, and even all of creation. To live in such a way as to be present for the moments of this day, moments which you will never have again, enables you to see past the exterior of what you encounter to the interior truths which will transform your life.”

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7 Things Saving My Summer Life

1. Walks with Shalom

The highlight of my day, my evening walks with my dog Shalom accomplish more than saving my summer life. Our deep emotional connection helps us both process our days as well as enjoy the sights along our route. Shalom often senses my mood and anticipates how she can best support me. She also has an uncanny way of reading strangers, both human and the furry ones we meet along the way. She reacts to people, other dogs, rabbits, squirrels, cats, and birds with wisdom, patience, and a poise which shocks almost everyone we meet. Her ability in sensing my needs extends to others we meet in the neighborhood, as she presents comfort, playfulness, and even a listening ear to those who share about the recent loss of their own beloved pet.

Shalom’s utter abandonment while reveling in whatever the present moment brings is infectious. Watching her delight in a rainy morning, scorching afternoon heat, or cool evening stargazing, reminds me of the shalom God bestows on me each day, but often goes unnoticed. Far more than simple “peace”, shalom speaks of complete wholeness; a state of having everything needed for wellbeing.

God tucks shalom into the moments of our days, but we will only find it embracing the present moment, welcoming whatever comes without wishing for something different. My evening walks with Shalom are not only saving my summer life, but they are also helping me savor the lavish gift of shalom offered by God.

2. Drying Lavender and Rose Petals

Something I have done a few times in previous years, the drying of lavender and rose petals from my garden this year has infused beauty into the Sahara of my troubled existence. It all started one morning as I lounged in the grass waiting for Shalom as she completed her morning rounds through the garden. Prompting me to come closer, the fragrance of my roses reminded me of a charming story I read long ago about a sweet older lady who kept a jar of dried rose petals. The petals were reminiscent of specific occasions in her life, and when she felt most alone, she opened the jar, and the memories comforted her, not to mention the fragrance!

Wondering if such a thing was possible, I researched how to go about it. The extent of what I found was much too fussy, but I did learn how much it benefitted the rose bushes to have the blooms clipped as soon as they were spent, so decided to try my own way of collecting the petals. As each rose drooped, I clipped them and removed the petals, placing them on a tray to dry naturally. They retained a good deal of their color, and once dried I placed them in a jar. Imagine my surprise when one day after the jar was full, I opened the lid, and the most delicious fragrance blessed me!

This success inspired me to clip the lavender in the same way. I had dried lavender many times, as I freeze some of the blooms to use in cooking. I began clipping a handful of lavender blooms and allowing them to dry before removing the buds. Each day I removed a few here and there, keeping a tray with the full flowers and a pile of dried buds. To my surprise one day I noticed that without intending, the haphazard dropping of the buds had formed a heart shape on the tray! It was not a perfect heart, but close enough, I then shaped it a bit for the picture!

Both the usefulness of the lavender and rose petals as well as the fragrance have reminded me of God’s goodness in delighting our senses with His presence. Spending time in the garden and handling these flowers amazes me with Creator God’s beauty, available even in the hard places when we slow down to take notice.

3. Afternoon Coffee and a Book

A hopeless over achiever, I seldom allow times for rest during the day, thinking I must “work” until the early evening before engaging in anything recreational. But one day, in the late afternoon (after all my pressing work was done), I poured a cup of coffee, sat in my favorite chair and grabbed my book. I whiled away a civilized hour with only a twinge of regret and felt more refreshed than I have in some time.

More than one thing kept me from enjoying a repeat session for a few days, until a rainy day kept me from outside chores, and I dared try again. That was a month ago, and I haven’t looked back. I now treasure my second cup of coffee while sailing away with wherever my current book may carry me.

While I never would have received this advice from anyone or given it any credence before, I am learning the gentle art of resting body, soul, and spirit. Though my inner achiever finds this scandalous, she, too is learning to let down her hair now and then.

4. Fresh Produce from My Neighbor

Fresh produce is a given during the summer. Who doesn’t love perusing the farmer’s markets or strolling out to their garden to pluck the freshest vegetables for their tables? I have loved these things from my childhood when we had a backyard garden and drove weekly to farmer’s markets. The colors, fragrances, textures, and sheer abundance of the earth mesmerized me then, and still does today.

While at times in my adult life we have planted a backyard garden, we no longer have that ability. Living in a farmer’s community there is no end to the bounty at local markets, but God has blessed us with a next-door neighbor with the biggest backyard garden you have ever seen. He grows everything you can imagine from salad greens and kale to corn, potatoes, red beets, tomatoes, and everything in-between.

The best part?

He grows it all to give most away. An elderly couple, they can and freeze what they will use and then he delights roaming the neighborhood with bags of produce for all. We have benefitted all summer by his generosity, and our palates dance almost nightly with something from his garden!

5. Video Calls with Grace

For the past year or so I have been enjoying phone calls with my 7-year-old granddaughter, Grace, which she initiated to share her life with me as we live about two hours apart. She would play or read while we were on the phone, enjoying Gigi’s comments. After school ended, Grace was struggling with some grief in losing her adored teacher and school mates and took to calling me often.

One such day, my daughter apparently was engaged talking with the apartment manager about an issue, so Grace just called Gigi for help with putting together a game we had given her for her birthday. Unable to “see” the parts or instructions, we had to forego that, and just chat as usual.

When my daughter finished her conversation, she laughed at Grace’s resourcefulness in calling Gigi for help, when Mom was not available. When she understood our dilemma, she suggested we start using Google Meet, so we could have video calls instead.

What a boon!

We can now play games, share books we can see as well as read, and Grace can show me all the (stuffed) animals she cares for as an amateur veterinarian. Not only saving my summer life, but our little trysts also help Mom when she must hop on a zoom call, as she works from home.

While talking with Grace has always been a source of joy for me, now we can share each other’s lives in new ways. On our last call I took her with me through my garden showing her the flowers and shared my favorite puppet with her. Video calls with Grace have filled my days with the unexpected wonder of experiencing ordinary days through the wonder filled eyes of a child.

6. Quiet Listening and Communion

A practice begun over a year ago, my morning fellowship time of quiet listening in God’s presence followed by the taking of the bread and cup in communion has deepened my intimacy with all three persons of the Trinity. What began as a spiritual discipline, transformed my relationship with God. With each time of sitting in silence before Him, as I welcomed each member of the Trinity, I felt more and more comfortable.

My performance tendency ceased pushing forward, as my sole motive was resting in the love and presence of God, not seeking anything from Him.

Some days He spoke personal words of love, reassurance, healing and peace over me; other days we sat in the comforting silence of mutual love, which requires nothing from the other. With the quelling of my performance tendency also came authenticity. Where I thought I was welcoming God, He was welcoming me, inviting me to come as I am, without fear of judgment or rejection.

Closing my time with the bread and cup allowed me to be united with the infinite love of the Godhead, experiencing the healing and wholeness that love purchased for me.

Spending this simple time of silence and communion with a surrendered heart opened my entire being to God as a God of love, who delights in every moment we spend together. It is teaching me the art of beholding God beholding me in love.

7. The Gentle Art of Welcoming

From my quiet listening times, I learned that in welcoming God, He was welcoming me, and through this simple realization I also am learning the gentle art of welcoming God through events, people, things, and all creation. The Apostle Paul tells us in Ephesians 4:6, that God is one God and Father of all, over all, in all and through all. Which means there is no place where we do not encounter God throughout our days.

Mother Teresa illustrated this by speaking of her ministry to the poorest outcasts of society as loving Christ as she fed, dressed wounds, and comforted the suffering.

I began to welcome everything within my days with gentle awareness that I was welcoming God into each situation with me. Unexpected events, challenges, and even frustrations became opportunities for communing with Him; hearing His voice, seeing from His perspective.

This gentle art of welcoming God into every area of my day from events to encounters with people, both expected and unexpected brings a calm expectancy to my days, instead of a rigid resistance.

Saving (and Savoring) My Summer Life

Though many of my life saving treasures are more akin to the simple pleasures of life, for me, they bring profound clarity to a life which has been wandering in the darkness of personal grief. Welcoming and choosing to listen to God through the events of my day, people, things, and all creation is teaching me to savor His beauty and presence even along the hard paths.

After reading my reflections on what is saving my summer life, how about sharing yours in the comments?

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