April has felt a bit like a second winter here in the midwest, yet the calendar says warmer weather is coming for us in the next six to eight weeks. In many ways, summer can be a hard season to plan for. We often get MORE busy, not less. Routines and rhythms are the first thing to go, when really they should probably be the last thing we drop. I’m even guilty of all the phrases like, “I’m not sure where summer went!” or “It was just so busy!” to excuse the things I knew I should have done, but simply didn’t make the time for.
The crazy thing about our habits and rhythms is that even science says it takes us about six weeks to successfully implement anything new. That means the habits I hope to be faithful to over the summer actually need to begin now.
Why do habits matter?
Our homes, our children, our money, our health, our time, our resources, all matter because they are ultimately not ours. All of what we have and all that we are belongs first and foremost to God. How we manage these things is simply a reflection of what we believe about Him. If I choose to steward my body well, it reveals I believe (and thus act upon the truth that) my body is a holy temple of God. I will be better able to love and serve others. I will be able to think more clearly on the commands of God when my mind is well-rested and focused. I will be able to fight sin better when I am showing self-control in the physical areas of my life.
Ultimately our habits matter because who we are becoming matters.
As I reflect on previous years and what worked and didn’t, here’s a few rhythms I know I need to be intentional about now.
1. Getting up Early + Prioritizing Time in the Word
This is so unflashy. Summer is for sleeping in (or so our culture keeps telling us!) But realistically I know that if I spend almost three months neglecting the habit of getting up early before my kids to spend time in the Word, my spiritual life WILL suffer. While there might be time later in the day that I no longer have to spend homeschooling, it quickly gets filled up with everything else. I have found over the years that if I don’t devote my first and best time to this practice, it will always get my leftovers. Right now I’m about halfway through the book of John, but this summer I plan to go through the Bible Recap’s New Testament reading plan and journal.
While most churches tend to stop Bible studies, small groups, and meetups during the summer, consider how you could lean into time in the Word with someone else. Is there someone you could meet at a park each week and do a Bible study together while the kids play?
Lydia Brownback has excellent guided Bible studies that are slightly shorter and less time intensive. She has everything Old Testament from: Jonah, Ecclesiastes, Judges, Habakkuk, and Esther. Her New Testament studies include: 1-2 Peter, Luke, Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians, Romans, and James.
2. Daily Movement
I’ve often thought that my movement would automatically increase in the warmer months and I wouldn’t have to think so hard about exercise. I have learned over the last few years that there will be a million other things my time starts to go to! From sitting at sporting events, the pool, to unbearably humid days, Illinois weather is unpredictable at best. I’m looking to include more daily walks in the morning and evenings alongside a designated workout time each day. This month I’ve been recommitting to the habits of 10,000 steps a day, four strength workouts a week, and increasing my water intake. I also got a few different apple watch bands and noticed just the different fit has made it easier for me to stay consistent in wearing my watch.
Movement is also a great way to love your neighbor and invite others to do life with you. Instead of asking a friend to go out to eat or coffee, try a walk invitation! You might be surprised at how life-giving it can be to have an hour of movement and conversation with someone.
Nourish Move Love releases a brand new summer workout series every year. I plan to repeat it several times over the summer. She has endless free workout programs for all levels of fitness. You can catch the podcast interview I did with her here!
3. Meal Planning
Of all the home care tasks I’ve been struggling with the most, meal planning is at the top of my list. This winter I’ve felt uninspired and bored in my meals, which has led to a lot of repeating things that aren’t even really my favorites. During the winter months I lean towards more grocery pickups, but as warmer weather hits I try to find my way back inside the stores. While summer makes it easier to go to salads, grilling, and things like smoothies, I also know I need to be ready to have all those ingredients and ideas on hand. I’m currently working on a spreadsheet with a list of meal options for the summer, recommitting to stocking back up our pantry and freezer, and having more “last minute” dinner ideas.
If you’re looking to grow in the area of hospitality and opening your home this summer, check out this hospitality guide created by my podcast co-host Alyssa Thompson.
*Stay tuned for the next blog post where I’ll be sharing on habit formation tips for kids!
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