A Lazy Summer Afternoon

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Drowsily, I heard my littlest daughter approach, sandals scuffing on the concrete pavers. I opened my eyes to see her surveying me with a twinkle in her blue eyes.

“Found you,” she said.

Thirty minutes earlier, I’d quietly slipped on flip-flops and grabbed pillows as I made my way outside. Finding a spot to curl up and close my eyes, I enjoyed the stillness even as I wondered how long it would take my children to discover my hiding place.

As I waited, I took in the world around me: The breeze whispered through the trees, insects buzzed, and a lawn mower motored in the distance. Frogs chorused in the pond behind me while squirrels bounded from branch to branch in the tree above. I couldn’t help but wonder, Is there anything more marvelous than the joy of an unexpectedly lazy summer afternoon? Despite little noises all around me, the world felt quiet, and as time passed, I felt my spirit calm too.

My daughter wandered off to find some chalk; when she returned, I helped her create a pattern on the ground. Finally, she looked up at me.

“You can go back to resting now, Mom,” she said. I fell asleep to the sound of her chalk scraping the concrete.

Each little noise and small pleasure reminded me that when we appreciate the beauty of creation, we thank our Creator. When we enjoy the solitude of a sunny afternoon, we find the peaceful rest God promises to his loved ones. When we take time to quit worrying about yesterday’s woes and tomorrow’s concerns, we demonstrate our trust in him. As his children, we can believe what he says. His presence is a soothing balm, always and already available. In him, we can find joy and pleasure—we simply need to take the time to do so.

Kristin

Today’s Act of Gratitude

Find an hour in the afternoon—preferably sometime in the next week or two—in which you can simply rest. (If you need to schedule it, that’s okay.)