Embracing Summer

Jul 2, 2014 by Jeanette Hanscome

Confession: I have gotten very little writing done this week and the same might be true of next week. It’s summer, school is out, and most days include either a cousin invasion, a shopping trip, or an activity. Next week we are headed back to the family cabin where I will be lucky to sneak in an hour before spending the day at the lake.

Up until last night, my love of summer was mixed with frustration and guilt over a constantly thrown-off schedule and projects that I’d hoped to have submitted by now. How did I ever meet summer deadlines in the past? Other writers manage to accomplish their weekly goals regardless of the season; why not me? When will I learn to shut my door, ignore whatever is going on upstairs, say “I need to stay home from the zoo today so I can work,” or at least set my alarm for an hour earlier?

I felt like a hopeless freelancing failure, who only had herself to blame for any lack of success. Then Nate and his cousins starting making the clay figures pictured above and my attitude changed. Yes, these crazy, unfinished, “What in the world are those anyway?” creatures were what God used to help me relax and embrace summer. (BTW: those figures are characters from the Animal Crossing game. They’ll look better tomorrow after the kids paint them.)

As I watched the Nate, Kai, Devon, and Haley gather around the counter to mold clay, my legs refused to retreat back to my room/office. I knew I would be much sorrier if I missed out on their creative process than I would be if I sacrificed my own. So instead of writing I sliced clay, helped smooth cracks, took pictures, and praised the art in front of me. Later we went to Target, and I helped my sister Kristy choose new swim suits for her boys. After all, how many times has she helped me find the right color top? I sneaked in an hour of writing before dinner and another hour this morning before starting another day of activities. Right now, I am getting back into my writing day after spending time with two precious friends and going out to lunch with my parents, Nate, and his cousin Haley.

Something in me finally recognized that:

Summer will only last for so long.

Nate and his cousins are growing up quickly.

Sometimes people need to come before projects.

I am not being undisciplined; I’m simply going with the flow of each day.

God has allowed me to have very few deadlines this summer, so why not consider that a gift, relax, and enjoy the extra freedom while I can?

Sometimes God’s timing includes delays and interruptions.

Do I really want to be remembered as the mom/aunt/daughter/sister that was always in her room in front of the computer? Am I not the one who is constantly ranting about spending less time in front of a screen?

 

If you don’t find a new blog post from me next week, it’s because summer got in the way (and because we don’t get Internet connection at the cabin). But I will be taking notes on what God teaches me through life away from the computer, and I promise to pass those lessons on to you.

 

What have you gained from putting people before projects? How have you learned to let God guide your days instead of being so tied to your to-do list?

And yes, as you can see in the background, the kids have been embracing World Cup Soccer.