Sliding into a Summertime Stride
By Mindy Lee Hopman
Monday, July 10, 2017
“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:29 NASB
I began the sport of running as a young mom so that I could try to lose the baby weight it took nine months for me to gain! With a good pair of running shoes and a jogging stroller, my son and I ran on the bike path each morning.
It would take me a little while to get into a good stride, but once I hit it, I could run comfortably for a few miles. Then I would wind down, stop at the park for a little play time, and return home for a good stretch!
In this season of parenting, summertime is that stride for me when everything comes together, and it feels like I could run for miles. Homework and projects are history! Final exams are left in the dust. Grading is finished, the curriculum is established, and all books for next year are ordered!
There is nothing left to worry about for this past school year and teachers are hired for the upcoming school year. The rigorous grind of the school year, filled with end-of-year celebrations and graduations is over, and my family has quality time together once again.
The stride of summertime is for renewing, reconnecting, and resting.
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 NASB
I need time to seek the cross and spend time there. At the cross, I let go of the busyness and anxiety I carry, and my steadfast spirit is renewed.
At the cross, is where I realize that even in the hard times, when I did not slow down enough to listen, God’s love did not waiver. At the cross, is where my wavering heart becomes steadfast and endurance is built.
“The LORD'S loving kindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23 NASB
God was always there because He is always faithful, but in the busyness of the school year, sometimes He is hard to see and hard to hear. In the stride of summertime, I find time to refocus, renew my heart and mind in Christ, and reconnect with the fullness of the Holy Spirit.
In the stride of summertime, I remember that peace is found in the person of Christ. Regardless of my location, in Him I find rest and I mark the moments with my children as we reconnect because as the saying goes, all good things must come to an end.
“Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God and was going back to God.” John 13:3 NASB
But it’s at the end, after a good stride, that we find hope, and in the Living Hope our endurance is built for the race of the next school-year!
When you hit the summertime stride, I pray you take time to read a good book, have coffee with friends, take a walk, ride a bike, go on a date, reconnect with your family and friends, and renew a steadfast spirit with the Lord by spending time in prayer, listening to a new praise song, and reading the precious Word of God.
Heavenly Father,
I praise You for the summertime stride which contains longer days and the gift of time to renew, reconnect, and find rest in You. Regardless of the location, I pray for time to breathe deep, renew my spirit, reconnect with family and friends, and for time to build Spiritual endurance by spending time with You. Thank You for the gift of Your grace and the peace that is found in Your Son, Jesus.
In the precious name of Jesus, I pray,
Amen
© 2017 by Mindy Lee Hopman. All rights reserved.
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