How to Spend a Perfect Summer Day

What's your idea of a perfect summer day?

The calendar says we only have about 30 days more of summer - its time to think seriously about how to make it count. Heading out to beaches, lakes, picnics, and a favorite pool all sound like good ideas. Of course, perfect summer days always include lush amounts of food like watermelon, tomatoes, fresh corn, and certainly something on the grill. It might be best summed up with beautiful weather + great food = a perfect summer day.

"Summer afternoon—summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language." —Henry James

It's easy for me to imagine perfect days in all the usual ways. More than adding more activities and scheduled events, I decided to go a little deeper. Truly, the kind of summer day that would leave me refreshed and inspired had only one simple ingredient - rest. Not necessarily sleeping or napping, but truly settling in and finding peace in everything before me. Just for one day to surrender all the chaos and take up a calm heart of rest.

My Idea for a Perfect Summer Day.

Just for today, I will rest.

I will be fully present to what is before me - whether it's family, food, or festivities.

Today I am taking a vacation from my brokenness and burdens.

Instead, I will invite God to show me how He sees me.

I will fully notice the beauty of my surroundings, and find gratitude in all of it.

I will set down my striving, my stressing, my searching.

Today, I'm living as if I know how beloved I am.

I will accept and embrace what is - even if it's hard.

I will look deeply into the eyes of those I'm with and listen to their hearts.

Or if I am alone in the quiet, I will press in and set it all down.

Today I will do my best to be a blessing, love well, and live fully.

For this one summer day, I will rest in the knowing I am perfection in God's eyes.

What's your idea of a perfect summer day?

We only have about 30 more days of summer left -how will you spend it? Whether it's sharing summery picnics, cannonballing into cool lakes, getting a tan at sunny beaches, or napping in a hammock at home for alone downtime-- treasure it all. Allow yourself to sink a little deeper into the abundant blessings of your summer day with rest for your soul.

For all your days, I hope you will take a moment to rest and remember:

you are perfection in God's eyes.

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