It’s the end of the school year, the beginning of summer, and while I haven’t had a chance to jump into our pool yet, I already feel like I’m drowning. As a mom of a high schooler, a middle schooler, an elementary student, and a toddler, this time of year is even crazier than usual. I’m fully immersed in end-of-the-year festivities, parties, and promotions.
I used to look forward to summer because it was a time to slow down, at least it felt like a slower pace than the school year. It was full of popsicles and scrounging up change when we heard the ice cream truck. There was a sweetness despite the backyard bickering and puddles of water on the floor next to the pool towels the kids never thoroughly dried off with.
However, summer looks different the older our kids get. For the last two years, our oldest played basketball. He had weight training and practices throughout the week and tournaments on the weekends. When he decided he wouldn’t play again this summer, I was secretly happy for a slower summer until I realized we would have to move out of our house for a few weeks due to a several renovation projects. Instead of the slowness I had envisioned, we will live out of suitcases for most of our summer break.
How do we slow down and enjoy our summer with full calendars or the chaos of fewer rhythms and routines?
I remember a busy season a few years ago when I posted a question on Facebook asking others how they made room for margin in their lives. A sweet friend sent a text asking me what exactly I wanted more margin for. She’s good at helping me understand the feeling beneath the feeling.
Everything I thought—more time for the things that mattered. I assumed I needed more margin when I needed more intentionality.
More margin without intentionally is fruitless.
I was reminded of this as I thought about our summer and how we only have two more of them until we launch our oldest.
- If I want a slower summer, I need to be intentional.
- If I want to make memories, I need to be intentional.
- If I want to have fun, I need to be intentional.
- I must be intentional in connecting with the ones I love.
Last week, my husband was out of town for work. I had looked forward to working on an exciting project while he was gone. But shortly after he left, it felt like all I had time for was putting out fires. All four of our kids went through something hard that week, for various reasons that did not relate to each other. When I met the needs of one kid and went back to my project, another one needed my attention. Even the dog got sick.
At first, I was bitter, but when I finally decided to set aside the project and prioritize what was important, my attitude and intentions changed.
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV).
When we want to be intentional but don’t know what is getting in the way, naming our priorities is an excellent place to start. And when plans get derailed (because they will), or we feel like we don’t have time or margin, may we remember that every aspect of our days and life has the potential to honor God.
What is one thing you can do to have an intentional summer?
Sarah Nichols is a writer who loves encouraging women by sharing hope-filled stories that point others to Jesus. She lives in Tucson, AZ, with her husband and four kids. You can find more from Sarah at http://sarahnicholswrites.com.
