We’ve been in the summer mode for a few weeks now since we ended homeschool at the beginning of May, but I’ve been thinking alot about the concept of using my summer wisely. What does it mean to steward what I’ve been given and use this next season intentionally? I wanted to share with you a few thoughts and ideas that I hope will encourage you. At the end of this blog post you’ll find a FREE GUIDE available for download!
So if I had to choose just 4 things that would make for an intentional summer I’d pick…
Establishing a Keystone Habit
A keystone habit is simply one habit from which everything else can spring from. For example, many people already have the keystone habit of exercising first thing in the morning (if I workout I’m likely to eat better, feel better, use my time better, etc.) As a Christian, I believe the most important keystone habit in my life is the time I spend in God’s Word. This means I’m personally committed to getting up each day around 5:30 a.m. so that I have time for my study of 1-3 John (I’m using this Abide Study by Jen Wilkin) before my kids wake up around 7. When I study shorter books of the Bible I like to print off the entire book (head to Bible Gateway and there’s an easy print option!) and use these copies for my repetitive reading each morning. That means I read through everything I’ve studied so far and the chapter I’m currently working on. I have LOTS of old notes in my Bible. I’ve found it to be very helpful to read and study with “fresh eyes” first. I’ve found that when I commit to this keystone habit as the first part of my day, I’m more likely to think and apply the things I’m reading to the many “unscheduled opportunities” that will come my way throughout the day. What do you need to do to establish a keystone habit this summer?
Choosing an Anchor
Alyssa and I talk about this in detail in our latest podcast episode, but this means being creative with choosing an anchor in your day or week where you can sit down and connect spiritually with your kids. Whether that’s at the breakfast table, in the van while you drive to activities, or before bed, decide on a time and a place that works for your family. Ask yourself, “How can we get more of God’s Word in our lives this summer?” For us, this looks like continuing to read through a children’s Bible at breakfast (we are currently using The Kingdom of God Old Testament) and a few days a week memorizing catechisms from this book.) At lunch I like to pull out Indescribable as a fun, quick read to get us talking about different science topics and how God is at work in them. I have on my list to make more of a priority to spend one on one time with each of my kids (I’ve always been inspired by people like Sally Clarkson and her ideas in Teatime Discipleship.) Spend some time this week thinking through how you can begin this practice or continue with habits you already have as you transition into the summer.
Personal Growth
I like to ask myself, “What’s at least one area I want to learn more about or grow in this summer?” That usually means I pick up at least one book on something related to homeschool. Some years it’s been friendship, hospitality, or mentoring. I chose several books I’m going to work slowly through, taking notes, and genuinely learning how to implement ideas and wisdom I’ve gleaned from the authors. Some years I look at areas I’m weak in. Other summers it might be more interest driven. For me personally this summer, I’m working through The Gospel Comes with a House Key, Now and Not Yet, and Habits for a Sacred Home. My goal though, is to always choose books that help me become more like Christ in some way. That’s also one of the reasons why I created the summer discipleship guide. It’s filled with lots of book ideas to get you started!
Others Focused
One of the hardest mentalities to fight during the summer is the “all about me” mentality. “How can I have the most fun, how can I make this the “best summer” ever, how can I make everything easier”, etc. etc. The problem with such a self-centered view is not only that it will ultimately disappoint when people do not meet your expectations, but you actually view yourself as the “end point”, rather than a conduit for God’s work. What do I mean by that? God has given you what you have (your home, your family, your address, your resources, your time) as a means to bless others. For me personally it means things like “deciding once” a few easy summer hosting meals. It means more neighborhood prayer walks (instead of popping in my headphones while I walk, I’ll pray for my neighbors), and physically making lists in my notebook of people I want to check in with, encourage, and meet up with. It means inviting people into what we are already doing (when I’m sitting outside watching my kids play asking my neighbor to come sit with me). Who might God be asking you to invest more deeply in this summer?
There’s lots of things I’m really looking forward to over the next few months. I hope for a lot of sun and a list of books from the library like Nothing Else But Miracles and The Anxious Generation. As Christians I believe we can (and should) approach summer differently, recognizing that each season is a gift to steward well, know God more, and love our neighbors.
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