Isaiah 40:31 NIV — but 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.

Do you have a favorite season? I have aspects of each season that I like, but summer is my favorite season. As a child, summer signified a time out of school, a less structured routine, and time to play with friends. As an adult, the same is still partially true. Over the years, my time for summer break has decreased, but I still have a little time to play with friends. I enjoy spending time sitting on the beach or by a pool relaxing and catching up with friends.

As I reflect on the many reasons I love summer, I realize summer signifies time for me to pause and be still. The warm sun on my skin seems to recharge my batteries and rejuvenate my spirit. Summer is a time apart from the usual hustle and bustle of life. As I type, I realize I need to take time throughout the year to have a “summertime” to be refreshed and renewed. In fact, I will begin viewing my daily time with God as a mini summer break. 

What can you do today to be rejuvenated? How can you be renewed and refreshed? Carve away a time to have your very own mini summer break with God.

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for summer. As I spend time with You today, renew and refresh my spirit so I may be an effective vessel of Your love to others. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Hebrews 13:8 NIV — Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

According to Merriam-Webster dictionary “change” means to make different or to give a different position, course, or direction. How do you feel about change? Change can be scary and hard. Change can be sad. Sometimes when change begins as scary, hard, or sad, it eventually turns out to be a positive thing.

As the daughter of a United Methodist minister, I experienced some big changes on a regular basis. The United Methodist conference has an itinerant system meaning ministers do not stay at one church appointment for long periods of time. In fact, until I was married, I had never lived anywhere longer than 5 years. 

Each time when we learned we would be moving, I would be filled with a range of emotions. Angry, sad, excited, and nervous are just a few of the feelings I experienced. As I reflect over that time in my life I now realize the change taught me many valuable life lessons. I met many people who impacted me and helped to shape me into the person I am today.

No matter what changes we go through, there is one constant: Jesus. Jesus is with us through the changes and He will guide and direct our steps as long as we are willing to allow Him. Spend some time today reflecting on changes you have been through. How did those changes shape you? Did you allow Jesus to direct your steps?

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for Your presence in my life. Help me to look for and recognize the positives that change can bring. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV — There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.

This week we will ponder various aspects of change and different seasons in our lives. Let’s start today by recognizing the season you are in now. What brought you to this season and how are you handling it? Is this a difficult season? If so, how are you responding?

As you participate in corporate worship today, draw close to God. Allow Him to bring to mind the blessings in today’s season. Allow His love, peace, and joy to rejuvenate and renew you. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for today and for the blessings of today. Open my eyes to my current season and help me to respond after the example of Jesus. In His name I pray, Amen.

Romans 8:28 NIV — And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Click here to watch today’s See You Saturday post as we wrap up our week on interruptions.

Romans 8:28 NIV — And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

As we finish our week together examining interruptions, perhaps we should look at interruptions by thinking of its synonyms; interval, interlude, break, and pause. Is God giving you an interval, interlude, break or pause? How do you respond to interruptions? What can you resolve to change so you are able to let God work in and through your interruptions? How can you respond positively to daily interruptions? Will you allow God to change your perspective? By doing so you may receive your biggest blessings and God may use you to be a blessing to others.

Let’s pray. Dear God, Help me to respond positively when I am interrupted. May I embrace the interval, interlude, break or pause and may I glorify You in my response. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Habakkuk 2:3 NIV — For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.

Interruptions are an inevitable part of life and sometimes an interruption is a delay. Over the summer break of 2019, I spent my time off from school decluttering our home and preparing it to be listed to sell. After lots of focused work and repairs, we listed our home in early August with high expectations of it selling quickly. The timing of our listing was against us and so began our months of delay.

Housekeeping has always been an area of weakness for me. I have always struggled to balance being a wife, mother, teacher, active church member, etc. along with keeping the house tidy. I have often prayed for God to lead me to be a better housekeeper. Therefore, during the time of our house being on the market, I was stretched and challenged as we had to constantly have our home show ready. As it turned out, our home was on the market for nearly a year before it sold. The interruption, in the form of a delay, proved to be a time of me practicing my skills of keeping a tidy house and in turn ingrained in me lifelong habits.

Are you in a season of delay? What life lessons can you learn during this interruption? Can you be thankful for your delay?

Let’s pray. Dear God, open my eyes to the lessons You are teaching me in my delays. Thank you for Your presence in the interruptions. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Romans 11:33 MSG — Have you ever come on anything quite like this extravagant generosity of God, this deep, deep wisdom? It’s way over our heads. We’ll never figure it out.

The story I shared yesterday occurred several years ago on the day we were scheduled to return to school after Christmas break. However, school had been canceled due to predicted inclement weather. As predicted we got snow, which is very unusual for the coastal area where we live. While I could have become frustrated at the thought of my original plans for the week being interrupted, I decided to begin my hospitality goal by inviting some young adult neighbors who are like family to us to have supper with us that evening. They came over earlier in the day and played in the snow with my children. At dinner that evening we shared not only food but lots of stories and laughs. We even made snow cream! The next day they came over and we spent the morning talking, watching TV and then playing outside together again. We even made our very own version of a coastal snowman. If I had been grumpy for being stuck in the snow I would have missed out on special memory making with these special young adults. More proof that interruptions can be our biggest blessings.

Are you altering your attitude toward interruptions? Are you allowing God to show you His blessings in the middle of a disruption to your plans?

Let’s pray. Dear God, open my eyes to the blessings within the disruptions to my plans. Thank You for using a pause to bring me blessings. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.