Sand and surf. Ice cream and road trips. Swimming and stay-cations. Anxiety. Job hunting and uncertainty. Not the ideal list of words that I would typically associate with summer, but it’s been reality for me this year.
Two weeks ago I quit my job without having something new lined up. This act did not align at all with my personality or fall anywhere close to my comfort zone. Yet the truth is that I should have done it sooner. God had made it very clear to me that my season there was over, He didn’t want me in that situation anymore, but I was holding on out of fear. How would I pay the rent? How could I provide for my family? It was a simple conversation with my mother-in-law that completely shifted my perspective. She said, “You do realize that you’re not the one doing all of this, right? You’re not the one providing for your family, God is.”
And there it was, truth spoken into my life. A spirit-lifting, liberating, and humbling truth. I have nothing, God has it all. The more that I run around frantically trying to pull all of the strings the further my gaze turns from Him and the more I rob myself of the blessing of knowing that God cares for me. Psalm 8:4 says “What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?” This scripture begs me to ask myself who I really am and to sit still long enough to receive the answer. I am a daughter of the King and I am cared for by Christ. There is no room for fear in my identity.
I’m adding a few things to my list of summer words, like peace, faith, and expectancy. If I’m honest with myself I know that it will likely include some chaos, disappointment, and surprise (in both directions) along the way, but the word that will hold me this summer and every season to follow is love. Hallelujah for the summer of God’s perfect love.
Carrie Joy(ful) 