End-of-Summer Musings

I noticed tonight that my last blog article was back in June! And I paused and thought, Wow! Where has summer gone? We are close to August already. So, this blog is simply, a few rambling thoughts (insert title here) that I am having this evening after a walk with my dogs.

We returned from a fun, family vacation late last evening! On the drive back I noticed the orange glow of the sun, and it made me pause and think about how close to harvest we are and how SPECTACULAR South Dakota sunsets are. As sad as I am to see summer fly by so quickly, I look forward to the late summer and autumn days soon to come with different sounds of insects, the wildflowers I planted taking hold and seeding out giving me hope for next year's blooms, colors changing, cooler weather, more comfortable temperatures for campfires and so on.

As I age, each year goes quicker and quicker and with that I'm recalling memories of my elders saying similar things. Things like I can't wait till you get older, you'll look back and life will be a blink, the grandchildren grow up faster than your own children (which blows my mind because it's true) and the months go by like days and the years feel like they fly by like months.

With that I think about all the time in the past I've wasted on petty things, entertaining and engaging in ridiculous relational difficulties and I pause and I am grateful that I do NOT desire to live that way any further. The Bible teaches us to live at peace with everyone and we often here this, but there is one part of that verse that is often left out and I'll quote the NIV version of it which is Romans 12:18, "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." This verse reminds us to make peace in our lives a priority but also acknowledges that peace isn't always possible. Note the phrase, "as far as it depends on you".

I am reminded daily that I am responsible for my own actions even if others remain hostile. This helps me to accept that some people are simply not ready to choose the path of peace and quite frankly, it's not my job to rush them. My job is to encourage it and have no expectation they'll come around but rather pray for them to have a changed heart, just as I pray for God to change my heart when I feel convicted that it is hardened.

Today I am grateful for all I am still learning even as the days fly by, little nuggets of wisdom are learned as I seek His word, have friends who encourage me in the faith and friends and close family who will call me out if I'm out of line or if I'm being taken advantage of by others! It is so important to surround ourselves with healthy people who speak truth in love! Not in insults and injury.

All this said, I'm still a work in process as are others so I continue to wrestle with when to give grace and when to set boundaries with those who do not choose to live peacefully. Step by step, I'm learning each day! Winter, spring summer and fall remind us that we are all being made new as we continue our walk with God.

And these were this evening's musings...

With grace and gratitude,

Cindy

Subscribe to Stay Encouraged