Summer

Ahhhh...church in the Summertime. The children's hallway is buzzing with more laughter, talking, and movement than it normally sees throughout the rest of the year. Joy is alive and well. Smiles abound. Souls are soaring. This is the product of freedom. Things that cannot possibly happen in Fall, Spring, and Winter, suddenly become possible in June.

Why? Because school is out for three whole months! Attitudes relax. The pressure is off. Carefree replaces stress. No one has to worry about homework, book reports, bullies, or lunch money. So, personalities are finally allowed to come out and play. To show who they were really meant to be all year long, but couldn't find a way to shine under the overwhelming responsibilites of having to be a student.

In the Wintertime of my own life, I was a slave to sin. I was bound to the pressure of bad choices and stressful living. My heart was heavy and burdened. My soul had taken a beating...a bad one. I was tired and I didn't see a way out.

And then Summer came and I met Him. Really met Him.

He said to me, ""Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." (Matthew 11:28-30)

And away with Him I went. I traded in all of my sin and bad living for grace and light living.

My heart was finally allowed to take a deep breath, my soul was able to soar, my burden was lifted. The pressue was off. I was free, indeed. No more worrying about being good enough, beautiful enough, or just enough in general. In that instant, I knew that He was enough of everything to make up for whatever I lacked. My personality could shine because I was finally able to be who I was meant to be all of my life. A child of the burden-lifting, freedom-giving, rest-offering, life-recovering, one true God.

Are you living in the Wintertime of your own life? If so, I compel you to try His way. He is freedom and restoration. He is joy and grace. He is Summer.