Gianna Gonzalez, Grace Family Church Carrollwood

“Schools out for Summer ... Summer Break is here! Your vacation or staycation is waiting for you!"

Have you ever read these quotes and immediately become annoyed because, as an adult, summer is only a season. And, for us Floridians, summer is 85% of the year and not always an excuse to stop working or get away. We literally live where people vacation. For me, sometimes summer is when things speed up. While some things may go on summer break, like church groups and school, somehow schedules become chaotic. With kids home, what was our "school year routine" is suddenly turned upside down and we're left to create a new normal for a few short weeks.

This temporary and seasonal chaos brings one word to mind. REST. We all need it but in the hustle of life we often neglect to make rest a priority. In the midst of choosing rest, we can use this time to seek God. He is rest and peace and a quiet, safe refuge. Rest looks different on everyone. It doesn't mean we have to take days or weeks off but can be something we incorporate daily to keep us refreshed and trusting rather than rushing and burned out.

Rest is a theme throughout the Bible and in a world that glorifies the hustle, productivity, and the ‘grind’, choosing rest is also being obedient. When we take a closer look, God rested on the seventh day after creating the heavens and the earth. Jesus rested after performing miracles. In Matthew 11:28 it says, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” This could be accepting help from someone when they ask if we need anything. While it can be humbling, we were wired to need each other and accepting help in one moment could be offering and extending it in another. 

There's an old adage that says, "If the devil can't make you sin, he'll make you busy". This summer (and throughout the year), take a break, sis. Incorporate it daily, press pause on some things weekly, monthly, or for a season. Let's create space for God and then allow His presence to fill it! 

Here are a few tips from my personal "Summer Survival Guide": 

1: Limit tech time. Turn off social media and the televisions and be present.

2: Do take that time off work for a few days. The work isn’t going anywhere and everything will work itself out.

3: Eat the ice cream. Because it is good for the soul.

4: Read and pray Psalm 91:1-6

Let's close in prayer...

“God be with us through seasons of busyness. Help us to eliminate distraction and be present with You. Allow us to be obedient and ask for help and allow us to be covered in your feathers and held under your wing. Help us to fill our cups with your presence and love. I know that your word reminds us that we can bring our burdens to you and you will allow us to rest. Bring us the peace to accept rest without feeling guilty. Help us to remember that you have called us to rest and embrace it. Direct the path of each of our steps and bring us the support we need along this journey. In your beautiful name, Jesus. Amen.”

Psalm 91:1-6

1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High

    will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.[a]

2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,

    my God, in whom I trust.”

3 Surely he will save you

    from the fowler’s snare

    and from the deadly pestilence.

4 He will cover you with his feathers,

    and under his wings you will find refuge;

    his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

5 You will not fear the terror of night,

    nor the arrow that flies by day,

6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,

    nor the plague that destroys at midday.