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 my fondest childhood memories:
-Bike rides with friends around the neighborhood
-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 to come along! Summer is the perfect time for outdoor hospitality and location meet-ups. As God’s love grows in our hearts, so should our desire to serve and welcome others too! His goodness 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 cheery 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 this! If you don’t have kids invite a few adult friends to join you! PLAY is so healthy for us as we get older!
- 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 inside your home (on a rainy day) and teach yourself and your kids how to settle down and soak up a treasured book!
Hope you enjoyed this light-hearted post. God longs for each day to be intentional and uplifting for our souls. May HE show us how to SLOW DOWN and SOAK IN His presence through each activity we pursue! LESS is MORE. Follow JESUS and you’ll experience a summer filled with gospel hospitality!
*LEAVE a COMMENT to let me know you were here! What is your favorite summer activity?*
Love, Krystal
Nicole, I agree that any place with water where kids can move and we can watch is satisfying! Hope to see you at one of the playdates if we can make it! 🙂 Thank you so much for reading and commenting!!
Thanks for this post Krystal. Being out in the sun with the kids with water/splashpad nearby is pretty great.
Elly, I love porch and patio time too! I agree that bike riding is also a fun and active way to take in the fresh summer air! My parents and I just went on a bike ride tonight together with my daughter! Though I don’t have a furry friend of my own, we enjoy taking Brittany’s dog out when we’re around! Great ideas! Thank you for commenting dear friend! God bless you and may He continue to guide you in all things!
Love, Krystal
Hi ! Thanks for the encouragement 🙂
I enjoy outdoor patio bites with a friend and bike riding in the summer. Walks with Nala (🐾) are fun too!