A Collection of Twenty-Six Suggestions for the Summer

Rrriiinnnggg! The bell rings on the final day of the school year, and the child in each of us gleefully shouts “School is out; summer is here!”

The phrase last day of school, first day of summer still carries a nostalgic tug. The season between Memorial Day and Labor Day holds promises only dreamed of back in icicles and snow. Shorts and sandals replace heavy coats and boots; mentally we shed our calendars of full schedules and daunting demands.

Or do we?

Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life sits on my bookshelf as a classic. I recently reread author Charles Swindoll’s take on summer. He wrote, “If God considered this planet needed several months of summer, it stands to reason that His people are equally in need of refreshment and rest…That doesn’t mean a lazy, irresponsible life-style full of indolence and free of industry. No, this is first and foremost a mental rest, a quiet confidence in the living Lord. A refusal to churn, to fret, to strive. The summer season symbolizes all this and more, much more.”

I need Swindoll’s reminder, especially the refusal-to churn-to fret-to strive part. How about you? Could you benefit from unstringing the bow for a bit?

Regardless of our season of life or season of family structure, the season of summer offers opportunity to pursue refreshment. I created a variety of twenty-six suggestions to encourage the both of us to let up, and embrace the opportunity to pursue personal enrichment.

Sit outside and drink ice tea

Go on a daily walk

Invite a friend and her children to go on a picnic

Invest in a pool pass

Catch fireflies

Attend a seminar at the local library

Visit a relative

Plant an eggshell garden and later transfer to the yard

Read a book (Consider Swindoll’s Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life)

Trade babysitting with another Mom and go alone to a museum; stop for tea and scones before returning home

Eat meals outdoors as much as possible

Listen to an audiobook