Breathe!

Some of my favorite summer memories are of driving the four hours in the car with our kids to my family’s lake home in Wisconsin. Amidst the pine trees we would pile out of the car into the muggy summer heat, rush to get into swim suits, and jump into the cold clear water. Ahhh…refreshment!!

Every afternoon at 4:00, when there was a “no wake” rule for boats, all the aunts and cousins and uncles had the tradition of swimming across the lake (it was not a large lake ☺). I would do a little breast stroke, flop around a little, float on my back, get off course a little sideways . . . But two of my cousins are state champion swimmers. They would take strong, sure, graceful strokes. They would get into a rhythm, breathing, gliding, stroking, straight and sure.

With its change of pace, summer can be a great time for refreshment. We often get physically refreshed and a breather from leadership responsibilities can be much needed. But what about our spiritual rhythms?  Sometimes the change of pace and lack of routine can leave us “swimming” a little sideways.

As you enjoy the summer, what are you doing to refresh yourself with God? Taking a bike ride while meditating on a scripture verse? Joining in our early morning study of Psalms (Wednesdays at 7:00AM at CPC)? Enjoying coffee and devotions outside in the morning? Taking a walk and thanking God for His creation as you do? What is refreshing you as a leader this summer? How are you breathing in God’s goodness?

-LAURA CROSBY serves as Director of Spiritual Formation at The Table

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