Reflections On A Summer Night

I'm back! It's been a good break from posting but I'm excited to get back to writing and posting again! How have y'all's summers been? How can I be praying for you? Let me know in the comments. :)

Now to the main section of today's post. One night last week, after a restless day of wondering what my purpose is, I wrote what you're about to read. I'm thankful for that time where I chose to be still, to be quiet, and to have my heart open to what God was wanting to show me.

A suffocation of all five senses - but in a way most peaceful.

My ears are flooded with the high pitched sound of crickets and cicadas in a singing contest to see who can outdo each other.

The rich, decadent taste of chocolate in my mouth. A taste that I feel is often hard for me to live without.

I feel the steady heat of the concrete patio under me still warm from a day in the sun, and a dampness on the back of my neck from the humidity in the air.

As I look up, the glow of Golden Hour lights the trees before me. I tilt my head up even farther and I see a cotton candy quilt of clouds covering a pale blue sky.

I take a deep breath, inhaling the sweet scent of fresh cut grass.

This is what summer nights are all about, and they’re slowly slipping away, one by one. Time passes whether I want it to or not. Every twelve months, another year older.

Am I any wiser for the days I’ve spent on this earth? I hope so.

It scares me to think that I’m not learning fast enough. It scares me to know that I’m not doing enough, not making the most of every second, every breath that I take, not making sure I’m investing in the people that I love and care about the most.

As I write, I look up again. This time I see the moon has risen above the treetops now in shadow, as the sun sets on the other side of the sky. An exchange…but of what? For what?

It reminds me of the verse that talks about where we put our treasure, there our hearts will be also, and another verse that where we sow, what we sow, there we will reap.

But what am I sowing? And what will I later reap? Is it things of the world, my own personal pleasures that will fade just like the earth one day will?

Or am I sowing eternal seeds, that will sprout and bloom and grow forever? Am I sowing seeds that will affect lost souls, bless lonely hearts, and be a reminder and witness of the hope and joy we can have because of Christ?

And as I look up to the sky one more time, the clouds have cleared, a visual picture of how my thoughts have changed. I feel resolved, at least for now. I feel as if I have purpose and know again why I’m here on this planet. I feel as if I’ve put the day’s worries and mistakes away, and reconnected with my God.

I smile at the pink clouds, feeling as if God painted them just for me because He knows I love that color. He feels real and personal again. I inhale and fill my lungs with oxygen. I’m grateful, from deep within, that my Father in Heaven sees me. He’s always waiting, hoping I’ll come outside and visit with Him. How silly that I forget. But how blessed I am for His grace and patience with me.

“Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” - Matthew 6:21

“for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.” - Galatians 6:7b