Special Attention – Abide in the Vine

Summertime, former procrastinators, sometimes opens the door to opportunities.  During school and September – May work, it’s often challenging to fit in extras.  Summer is not everybody’s slow season, however.  Maybe your slower period is another time – if you have a slower time.  But we all need a breathing period, so I encourage you to find or create such a time period for you and your family.

We’ve talked about reading and a variety of activities.  Three other things come to my mind as I ponder the potential that comes with a summer breather.

Friend Focus

Summer offers a limited period to try out mentoring or short-term discipling.  If there is a woman at church, a neighbor or anyone interested, you could use these weeks to focus on spiritual interest or growth.  Either of you could approach the other about meeting together to read scripture, talk about life, maybe do a short study, memorize scripture, pray together.  You can also have fun shopping, running errands, or working a special project.  The point is to be together learning from each other. Grab the opportunity.

Another friend idea is to make it a point to get better acquainted with one friend, a couple, or a family you rarely spend time with.  Plan three or four get togethers so by summer’s end you actually know each other.  When the busy season starts and you seldom get together, you’ll have a foundation on which to continue building as able.

Local Attractions

Learn about your own town.  Tour an industrial plant, farm, food processing plant, or newspaper office.  Attend a couple of town council meetings just to observe or to present a concern.  Learn who the city leaders are and how local government works.  If there’s a parks and recreation center or program, pick something they offer for the summer – pottery making or line dancing.  If there’s a city-wide event, volunteer to help.

Load Lightening

Another way to say “declutter”! Summer might mean you can be all-hands-on-deck for a clean out.  It could be any size project, something hard-to-get-to during the year.  Getting the clean out behind you in the summer will pave the way for smoother sailing during the school year.  You could choose a topic such as everybody’s clothes closet or a location such as the garage or shed.  Create a reward system or event.  Celebrate a job well done.

These ideas make me think of an extended family member. As an accountant, she has almost “no life” January – April because tax season is intense.  The family knows this and they’ve all adapted.  There isn’t much mom during that time, but after April, they go to the beach.  The remaining months of the year, she devotes a great deal of time to family. They’ve figured out the non-negotiables for everybody and made adjustments that allow for down time.

Whenever your slower period is – or whenever you make one – enjoy!

When is your slower season?