I don’t know about you, but I imagine we are similar in this: Summer makes us want to take a break from the routine and aim to recharge and reset! Beaches, cook-outs, picnics, park dates, hikes, vacations, and just lazy days in a sunny place! There is something very special and attractive when we speak of summer because it conjures up many past memories I have as a kid:
-Bike rides with friends around the neighborhood to no specific location
-Stops at the local pharmacy for candies and goodies
-Rollerblading around parking lots late at night
-Freezy pops as a treat mid-day and at dusk!
-Music concerts and parades to enjoy
-Hours in the pool, burned peeling skin and trips to grab more ice cream sandwiches!
Are you ready? Summer officially started June 21st where I live in New York and school is coming to a close along with those last few final exams for the teens. I encourage you to take a journey and be hospitable throughout your summer! Plan a few trips and also include some people you may not know very well! Summer is the perfect time for outdoor hospitality and location meet-ups. As God grows in us our hearts to serve and welcome others does too! His love is ready to be poured out, and the best way to begin is through the relationships all around us. Take advantage of the longer nights, mild weather and the good moods of others during this season.
A few ideas:
- l. Plan a park date meet-up with friends or someone you want to get to know (pickleball, tennis, soccer, or just a playground)
- 2. Offer to host a cook-out “potluck style” (You can grill and everyone else brings a side dish)
- 3. Meet up with a family for ice cream! Some spots have parks nearby which is even better for fun afterwards!
- 4. Find a beach, pool, splashpad or mini-golf location and take your kids (and maybe invite their soccer team along too)! It astounds me how other families cherish another mom who is organized enough to plan a get-together like that.
- 5. Take a day or more each week to plan a “reading time” outside. Bring a hammock to a park or sit in your own backyard, porch or in your home (on a rainy day) and teach yourself and your kids how to settle down and soak up a good book!
Hope you enjoyed this light-hearted post. God longs for each day to be intentional and uplifting for us and others. May HE show us how to SLOW DOWN and SOAK IN His presence through each activity we do! LESS is MORE. Have a summer filled with gospel hospitality!
Love, Krystal