A Simple Summer 2008

I have to confess that for a brief moment I was discouraged by last week’s summer ideas.

Don’t get me wrong…your ideas were amazing; and over the weekend I excitedly compiled a list of all the things I wanted to do with my kids this summer. I began to imagine all the fun memories we’d make, the goals we’d accomplish, the ministry opportunities we’d seize. I was going to be organized, intentional and fun. Thanks to you, we were going to have an incredible summer.

But then, reality sank in: I’m moving in a couple of weeks. As much as I’d like to, there’s no way I can have ministry Thursdays or do activities for every letter of the alphabet. I have boxes to pack!

For a few minutes all these great ideas felt like a burden--just so many reminders of what I was not doing for my kids this summer.

Maybe some of you feel the same way. You too are moving, or you are pregnant, or are in a trial or an unusually busy season. Summer isn’t going to be all you’d like it to be.

What helped me was to remember the truth that God has ordained my summer circumstances. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places (Psalm 16:6). Instead of sinfully comparing myself to the rest of you creative people, I need to receive God's plans for my summer with gratitude. (And I am so grateful for God’s provision of a house!)

So I asked myself, what are some simple ideas that would serve my family this summer?

God graciously used many of your ideas to help me formulate a plan. I’ve got four simple goals for my kids: Scripture reading/memory, household chores, school and reading. At my “morning meeting” with the boys today I gave them each an index card with their responsibilities. They’ve had so much fun checking them off as they go along.

And simple activities? Today we made red and green jello. Of course I’m going to get some mallets so they can smash fruit loops on sidewalk. Water painting on the driveway and squirting soap bubbles in the air will also fit the simple theme.

The rest of your ideas won’t go to waste: watch out, Summer 2009!