The Rejuvenation of Summer
Hi, this is Ann Mary Mullane of Sunday to Sunday Productions with another episode of The Witness podcast.
I'm certain that God favors summer with its longer days and warmer weather. Think of the book of Genesis, the creation story. “Let there be light” was God's first step to remedy a world that was described as a dark void. Then God separated the land from the water, clearly creating a beachfront, sunshine, and the beach. Need I say more?
The increase of daylight hours boosts our energy and our spirits. It changes our eating habits, not only because we enjoy the walk with the kids to go for ice cream, but there's the healthy side of it. Fresh fruits are more available, and certainly more appealing. Our schedules, hearts, and minds open up. There's a natural pause in life during the summer. Many of our regular obligations and of course school go on hiatus, it becomes a perfect time to see things more clearly. Not only do we see more clearly, but our other senses awaken too. There's the scent of the flowers, the salty ocean air, we listen to the roar of the waves. We feel the sand between our toes. And of course the smell and taste of barbecue.
Summer invites us to a larger appreciation of life and each other without a prescribed agenda. We are free to go where our hearts take us. We play. We try new things and we ignore the standard bedtimes. Watch the kids as the pools open for the first time. The Veterans can't wait to jump right in. You have the Intermediate to pass the swimming test last year, and can't wait to prove themselves as worthy of joining the Veteran ranks. And as always, there is a Novice petrified that water will get in their eyes on that first day, gripping the side of the pool and terror. And that terror is the only thing in that little mind.
Kids go to camp. They make new friends, learn how to play checkers, swim, and make lanyards. Lanyards are practically a rite of passage. We've all made them. We've learned all the stitches, the braid, the barrel, and the box stitch. The weave of the lace and the colors still mesmerize us. Somehow those lanyards connect the present with the past. And as the summer settles in, the Novice swimmer removes the swim belt for the arm swimmies. Life gives us time to recognize this growth and to enjoy each other's company without fanfare.
It's the gathering that we love. In the middle of July, even the darkness doesn't chase us from our yards, our decks, and our beaches. We tell each other stories, we play cards. There's no time for these things during the rest of the year, between homework and other obligations. We measure so much by light. Turning the lights on continues to be a remedy for darkness. Getting a clearer look at something is a good start for solving any problem. Our language has built in this concept of light. We say shed some light on it. When we need more of an explanation about something. We use a lightbulb as the emoji for a good idea. And how often is something described as a bright idea?
The biblical phrase, “Let there be light” is often used metaphorically, to express the beginning or to initiate something. Summer is a chance to recreate ourselves. An opportunity to process what we have learned so far and to fold it into who we are, and who we want to become. Sometimes it's having the space and time, we need to accept a change. Like the child who has not yet jumped into the pool. Once taking that plunge, excuse my pun, experience that new joy of accomplishment, and know that others recognize them as changed as well.
Summer is the light switch for our souls. It's also simple and so ordinary. Liturgically summer is considered ordinary time, but there's nothing ordinary about it. Growth and maturation are happening and it takes time. And by the last days of August, that scared little swimmer hollers cannonball and leaps boldly into the water. New confidence is important for growth. For now, let the hard work of the autumn season wait. Summer and its simplicity is God's gift for us to enjoy.
Thank you. This is Ann Mary Mullane for Sunday to Sunday Witness from Kearney, New Jersey. Please subscribe to Sunday to Sunday and tell your friends about us. Check out our full website and other free resources at sundaytosunday.net. Thank you, and we'll see you next time.
