When I think of summer, I don't think of beaches and sunshine.
I think of the deeps of the forest and the hush of padded pine paths trailing onward. And in those early mornings surrounded by creation, I am finally able to have the stillness to hear the restorative whispers of our Creator. I have been fortunate to always have a summer with the exception of the brief time I worked in the corporate world. For teachers, summer is a time of rest-- a time to catch their breath in between the insane demands of a teaching schedule. For the past few summers, I've been in grad school so there was no break, no rest for me. I definitely felt it as I went straight from my own classroom to the grad classroom back to my own classroom. I feel like I haven't taken a breath in about two years. My spiritual life and my physical health have suffered. My friendships have suffered. The summer mornings to come stretch out before me and I consider what I must take from them-- restoration. Quiet, solace, rest. These things must be guarded and fought for. As I pray about what is to come this next year, I realize that rest and restoration are not a cop out--- it is not a false justification to be lazy-- the need to rest and find restoration is actually a necessary component to stewarding our gifts well. How can we use our gifts, how can we pour ourselves out when the time comes if we have not tended our own souls? If we have not sought wisdom and peace to dispense to those in need? Therefore, we must be intentional in our efforts, intentional in equipping ourselves to return to the fray. I feel anxiety rise within me as I consider the days ahead-- physical and spiritual health, so many unknowns with adoption, teaching new classes and a new school year. Fear, panic, and uncertainty creep in and threaten to drown me. But I must fight to remember: the deeps of the forest and the hush of padded pine paths trailing onward. This is not a time for work, but of rest. So I will be intentional with my early mornings and listen for the restorative whispers that sustain my soul.
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