Okay, so the school year is over and has been for a month. It’s time to relax and be free of obligations and deadlines! The only problem is that my “summer list” has piled up to the freaking sky. 

There are a lot of things I want to do. Most involve yarn. Some involve fabric. Oh, and paper! I love paper crafts. I am trying to read all the Harry Potter books before July 15th. Some other books too. I want to learn about beekeeping. I’m in that painting class so I should paint every now and then. And I should empty out my room asap because it will be painted soon. Summer means that I can hang out with my sisters, which will be super fun. And I want to go to the gym. I started learning French on the Rosetta Stone, but I realized today that I haven’t used it in a week. And I’ve used the phrase, “we should hang out soon!” like twenty times this week. 

The point is that by trying to do a hundred things at once, I haven’t done anything. There is a big mess surrounding me. A half-finished book. A half-finished friendship bracelet. A half-finished iPod cozy. Some fabric with unraveling thread running through it. An unattractive painting that I gave up on. 

(I know these all sound like goals a fourth grader would have.)

What does it look like to enjoy summer for all that it is? I’m not sure. I think it looks something like being thankful for specifics daily and spending quality time with Jesus outside in my backyard. Having plans and following through (whether it involves making something, reading something, or spending time with someone). But also, not having plans and being okay with that.

Today when I was outside painting, I realized how much beauty was around me. The backyard was so green, with sunlight streaming through the trees. I wanted to throw my paint around and make something bright, abstract, and possibly ugly, but I made boring little squares instead.

I am going to practice being present in this season. It’s warm out. There is so much free time. I can do all sorts of things…or I can just rest.