74_Slow Summer
Come, start the new season with me...
Yesterday afternoon, we strolled up the hill near our home and were greeted by a gentle breeze that grew stronger with each step we took through the rolling countryside. We watched the wind whisper through the waves of wheat and barley, knowing that the summer sun would soon ripen these green grains to gold:
Today, we walked the same way to search for fawns at the nearby reserve. They were too far from the fence for us to see, but the bucks proudly paraded their new velvet antlers.
I hadn’t planned another amble for today, as garden tasks have replaced most morning adventure walks, but my boys begged to go exploring. I’d secretly been longing to look for wildflowers, so I conceded to their wishes. The weeding would have to wait a while longer.
I went inside to fill a flower-collecting jar with water, and when I returned to my adventurers, they had already packed their excursion essentials.
I let them lead the way and took over pulling the wagon when their little arms grew too tired. My prize for postponing the garden work was a fascinating fistful of flowers that will decorate our kitchen for the coming week.
I spent this morning with my mentor, and we pondered purity while the children played. The word pure in Titus 2:5 is translated from the Greek word ἁγνάς (hagnas), which also means chaste, holy, clean, free from sin, innocent, modest, and perfect. Such purity encompasses inner motive and outer behavior, both of which should reflect whole-hearted devotion to God.
I examined various areas of my life that should demonstrate such purity and summarized them into being holy in heart and mind, holy in speech, and holy in conduct. For the first category, I examined James 3:17 and Philippians 4:8 to inform what I allow to enter my mind, as my thoughts will influence my actions. May God transform me by the renewing of my mind to discern His good, pleasing, and perfect will, as described in Romans 12:2b!
As I reflected on being holy in speech, I considered the holiness and purity of God’s word—Are my words flavored with the same holiness and purity? Jesus is also described as pure in 1 John 3:3. Do I study His words and hide them in my heart, so they will flow out when I open my mouth to speak?
For the final category (being holy in conduct), there are several passages that demonstrate purity in practice. The one that struck me most was 1 Peter 3:1-2, in which the author described husbands being won over without a word by observing their wives’ pure, reverent behavior. Is my own conduct persuasive to those closest to me? Am I clearly and purely an ambassador of Jesus in all I do, so my loved ones are won over to follow Him?
I pray these ponderings of mine will also encourage you to study God’s word and to grow in Christlike purity.
One of my responsibilities while growing up on the family farm was to cultivate the herb and flower garden in front of our house. My dad would regularly bring home plants and encourage me to find a spot for them in the small strip of soil between our sidewalk and porch.
When he gave me a phlox plant, that garden grew from just another job into one of my passions. Standing tall as the centerpiece of my garden arrangement, Phlox paniculata attracted hummingbirds, butterflies, and a plethora of other pollinators to our garden. Every time I walked by the cheerful pink flowers, I couldn’t resist bending down to deeply breathe in their fragrant blooms.
When I moved overseas to Germany, I had to make do without a garden for several years. When I finally had a patch of dirt to care for again, one of my priorities was to find phlox. This time, it was my mother-in-law who bestowed upon me the bright blossoms, dividing her own plants to ensure my wish came true.
As my first phlox of this season begin to unfurl, I am again reminded of the way God sees every detail of our lives and weaves them into a beautiful story that reveals how faithfully, creatively, and intimately He cares for us.
Today is the second day of a heat wave here in Bavaria, with temperatures forecast to be over 30°C (translating to the mid/upper 90s in Fahrenheit) for the foreseeable future. The heat will be hard on us and on our gardens, which have been flourishing so fantastically up to now. I am thankful that the rain barrels are full, which should grant us three to four days of watering without the hose.
I'm excited to give you a picture tour of the garden beds in my upcoming end-of-month newsletter. The calendula has been especially copious due to my consistent deadheading since they've started blooming. These bright blossoms regularly remind me of how God prunes us, bringing to mind Jesus’ words in John 15:2.
Every branch in me that does not produce fruit he removes, and he prunes every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit.
The day begins with freshly made beds, featuring sun-dried linens that are scented with lavender from my garden.
I'm already looking forward to falling asleep tonight, but first I must sort the stacks of clothes and shoes waiting to be properly stored in the cellar. This is a task I only enjoy during the hottest days, as it is considerably cooler under the house.
As I survey the walls lined with clear boxes containing clothes of every size, I wonder if it was worth all the time and effort I invested. Recurring pregnancy loss has me questioning whether it would have been better to just give away each item when my little one outgrew it.
But for now, I choose to hold on to these boxes. I choose to hold on to hope.
And so, sweet subscriber, I send you into a new week and a new season with these musings of mine, hoping you'll make your own moments to ponder God's good gifts each day.
Happy Summer! ☀️
Thank you for being my guest. In God’s word you will find rest; Seek Him, be bountifully blessed. 💚
Thank you for sharing your days with us! Each one is delightful in their own way, sweet friend!🌷