Summertime and the living is easy,
Fish are jumping and the cotton is high
 
Let’s think about summer.  The commercials show swimming children, barbecuing adults eating hot dogs and hamburgers with friends and family.  Ads depicting cruises, vacations to Disneyland and theme parks abound—but what makes summer, summer? 
  
The stores abound with swimming suits, plastic water toys, patio furniture and sunscreen by the quarts.  But what is it about the season of summer that is so wonderful?  The dictionary defines summer as the season of the year in a region in which the sun shines most directly: the warmest period of the year. There is something about the greater daylight, the warmer weather that encourages hope and refreshment. I realize that many times it may be summer in the natural, but we are walking through a winter season in our spiritual or emotional life.  However, as I was praying for this issue I felt the Lord remind me that it was summer and that it was time to “lighten up”, and focus on benefiting from this natural season.  What are some of these joys?  More daylight hours, warmer weather, slowed or at least more flexible schedule, lighter clothing and simpler meals.
  
Those of you who live where the seasons do not change as drastically might have forgotten the joys of going out without a coat after having to have coats, mittens and hats for weeks on end! 
 
It's summertime; let’s take time to celebrate the joy of simply being a Christian—of having a relationship with our most wonderful God!  To remind us that He is the Almighty, the Ever-lasting Father who knows the end from the beginning.  He sets the times and seasons of our lives and wants us to bask in His wonderful love and mercy.   Let's lighten up by casting our cares upon Him who cares for us.  Let's be re-acquainted with the fact that He is our provider and that He will supply our every need by His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
  
Let’s take the time to ponder the fact that He is Jehovah Shalom the Lord our Peace, and the Prince of Peace.   He is the Jehovah Shammah, the Lord who is present.  He is Jehovah Rapha the Lord our Healer who wants to heal our body, soul and spirit.  He is the Most High God! There is no other God!  He is the only true God and every tongue that rises up in judgment against Him or His children, He will condemn.
  
Plan now to take some of your precious time and find a way to celebrate Jesus in your heart and life.  How about a party?  Inviting Him to share in a special time with just you and Him?  Make it special, not your ordinary “quiet time”, but be creative.  How will you do it?  Is it by putting in your favorite worship CD and singing praises to Him?  Lighting a candle, preparing a fresh flower bouquet, enjoying the smells of summer?  Ask Him what kind of celebration would bring delight into His life.  What can you do to show Him of your love?  Take some cookies to a shut in?  Love on your kids?  Write a note of appreciation to one of His servants?  The Lord knows how to reveal Himself to us—ask Him.  What kind of gift could you give to Him?

Summertime is a great time to celebrate. I found three different Hebrew words that are translated “celebrate”.

Shabath means to cease, desist, rest and to keep or observe the Sabbath.  Take the time to rest your mind, your heart and your spirit, meditate on the fact that you are serving the Most High God.
 
Chagag, which means to keep feast, celebrate, keep a solemn feast, dancing and to reel to and fro!  Enjoy yourself with Him.  Get up off the couch and take a dance with your Savior.  Lift up your hands and rejoice before Him.  He will enjoy it.  What is your favorite snack?  Enjoy it while you are reading an inspirational book or psalm.  Set the tone—what would He and you enjoy together?

Halal includes some of the same concepts as chagag but also includes “to shine, to flash forth light, to boast, to make a boast, to act madly like a madman! We can choose the opportunity to boast in our God, to share a testimony or answer to prayer with a neighbor or loved on.  Let’s shine forth His grace, love and joy by shining up the windows of our lives so they sparkle.
  
So what kind of celebration do you want to have with the Lord?  Summer parties are different than winter gatherings.  You can have joyous pool parties, bountiful BBQ’s or have a glass of lemonade out in the patio—or for those of you with no patio how about a quiet walk in the park simply sitting on the park bench enjoying His creation.  Dear sisters, God wants us to celebrate Him in our everyday life.  I believe one of the benefits of the warmth of the season is to get us outside to simply behold His creation and delight ourselves in it!  Even in pulling weeds and swatting mosquitoes there is an opportunity to be refreshed in the amazing delight of how things grow.  There is an abundance of life in weeds, how much more should there be in the planting of the Lord. 
 
Father, I thank you for summer.  I thank you for refreshment for my dear sisters in Christ.  Help them enjoy this time of renewal in their lives, help them to spread the joy of the Lord in all parts of their lives.  Bless their respective church families and give them creativity as they minister to you and their families.   Strengthen their souls and their bodies, dear Lord and make them fruitful.
 
Written by:Martha Rodman