Summer Days Are Sweet

English: Porch swing at sunset along the Saint...

So far this summer has been good for me.

I’ve had time to think…and not think. Sometimes I need that. I tend to dwell on things, worry about stuff.

It is refreshing to have some time to just relax and not to be chained to a schedule.

Trading in calendars and clocks for a porch swing and hammock.

Enjoying early mornings and slow evenings.

Cooking becomes grilling out.

Meeting new people, making new friends.

Sight seeing and soul searching.

Afternoon thunderstorms and evening lightening bugs.

Mulling over plans.

Wondering what lies ahead, as I sip my sweet tea.

Content.

 

 

 

The View From My Front Porch

The view this morning.

I watched the dark being overtaken by the light.

Vivid pinks and purples…

Making way for the sun…

 Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,
   for his compassions never fail.
 They are new every morning;
   great is your faithfulness.   Lamentations 3:22-23  NIV

Summertime Memories

Porch

Image by sonjalovas via Flickr

Summertime Memories

Front porches, tree lined streets,

hometown parades, ice cream treats.

Lightning bugs, stars at night,

running barefoot, tea on ice.

Shucking corn, bumblebees

curtains blowing in the breeze.

Lemonade, country roads,

windows down, lawns need mowed.

Just washed linens smell like sun,

staying up late, having fun.

Coke in a bottle, feet in the sand,

old friendships, lots of plans.

Dawn Gibson 2011

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In The Still Of The Evening…

Front porch

Image via Wikipedia

Last night I was sitting on the front porch with my husband. Like many married couples, we were talking about everything and nothing in particular. I for one, was thankful that the sun was getting ready to slip under the horizon, making it much cooler than it had been earlier in the day. It was quiet in our little piece of the world, except for the sound of the birds chirping in the fields and an occasional vehicle driving down our country road.   I pondered the fact that life is much different for me now. I never thought that I’d be sitting on the front porch of a home in the country.

As a high school student, I couldn’t wait to go away to college and “recreate” myself. As a college graduate I couldn’t wait to start my new career and have my own place. As a teacher I couldn’t wait to meet my new students and make a positive difference.  As a new wife I couldn’t wait to spend time with my husband, creating our life together. As a young wife, I couldn’t wait until we bought our own house for our family to make memories in. As a new mom, I couldn’t wait to hold my son, love him, and be thrilled with each new step.

As a new widow, I couldn’t wait for the sadness to end, and life to return to some sort of normal. As a single parent, I couldn’t wait to cheer at soccer games, plan birthday parties and go on vacations out West. As a thirty-something, I couldn’t wait for the opportunity to meet someone who would want to share life with me. As a newly remarried woman, I couldn’t wait to figure out how this blended family would work.

Always waiting….

So much of life is spent waiting, isn’t it? Your waiting might be, and probably is, different than my waiting. Life requires waiting.

Waiting for something new. Something different. Something better. Something comfortable. Something real. Something exciting.

Always waiting….

Waiting can bring new life, if I am patient. It has in the past…and it will again in the future.

This season of life has me both waiting and wondering. What will be next?

It is both scary and beautiful, all at the same time. On days when I am weary from worry, grieving from growing, pondering over patience, and just plain wondering, I remind myself that I am not the one in control. I never have been, and that is okay.

Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.  Isaiah 40:31  NIV