A Devotion by Vicki Bentley

Getting Ready For Summer

When I was young I looked so forward to summer. Spending long, lazy days of sun and fun, doing whatever we could imagine. We would climb trees, build forts, have elaborate adventures in the fields, lay in the grass watching the clouds, catch lightning bugs, play hide and go seek and tag in the moonlight. There just seemed to be more time. The pace of life has sped up for everyone now. Children and parents alike are pressed for time to “get it all done.”
One woman put it this way. “Every morning I wake up I am tired before I get out of bed because I know that there is a mountain to climb again and I just don’t know how much longer I can do it. I never seem to make it to the top and if I do there is just another taller mountain behind that one.”

As candidates have shouted, "It’s time for change." Why not just get rebellious this summer? Instead of dreading the day, begin it with praise. “For this is the day that the Lord has made, let’s rejoice and be glad in it.” (Ps. 118:24) The Psalmist faced disappointment and challenge. But in all his needs he recognized and prayed to the One who was able to bring change.
This prayer warrior worshipped knowing from where his salvation came. “The Lord is my strength and song and He has become my salvation.” (Ps. 118:14) He remembered the Lord and rejoiced “You are my God, and I will praise You, You are my God, I will exalt You.” Ps. 118:28

Circumstances may have changed. Time is shorter now. Things move quickly and life is challenging. But this summer is the time we can take the mountaintops like deer skipping among the heights. Join me in this holy rebellion. Let’s begin this summer to praise the Lord in the morning and speak to Him in the day amidst all the circumstances asking for wisdom and obeying when He gives it – even if it seems too simple. Join me in taking time to look up into the sky and feel the sun on your face, listen for a bird singing, watch for children laughing. In fact be a part of the joy of this summer. Determine to make someone smile everyday and it will make your heart laugh.

You’ll feel like a kid again and time will multiply because you will be doing the most important things done. “Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” Ps. 118:29