5/13/16

The Hopes, Lists, and Fears of Summer


Summer is finally here! Can you smell the sunscreen, lawn clippings, and chlorine? Can you taste the ocean water, watermelon, and iced tea? Can you hear the pool splashing, the book pages turning, and the people laughing? 



Oh, how I love summer! I have big hopes for the rest that summer will bring. I made long lists of the goals that summer will complete. 

But why do I also fear summer? 

I fear that the relaxation that summer brings will not be enough. I fear that the lists I made will go largely unchecked. I feel the pressure of not doing everything and the desire to simply do nothing. 

How can I live this summer, with these hopes and lists, if I walk around in fear that summer simply won't be enough

The answer: make Jesus my enough. 

"For I am convinced that neither life nor death, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Roman 8:38-39)



The truth is, whatever happens this summer, be it long trips, sun-filled afternoons, or more work than anticipated, Jesus' love is enough for us. 

Enough. 

Before we've crossed off any of the activities on our lists or completed any of our goals, before we've met with any of our friends or staffed any summer camps, before we've done anything this summer, Jesus has made it sufficient because He is sufficient. This summer is already saturated in the love of Jesus, and what more could we ask for? 

"Who then is the one that condemns? Christ Jesus who died-- more than that, who was raised to life-- is at the right hand of the throne of God and is also interceding for us. Who then shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or the sword?" (Roman 8:35)

So as we enter into this fabulous time of year, let us not let our hopes and lists get in the way of living in the love of Christ. Let's us plan our days with the full assurance that the love of God has made this summer satisfied, saturated, and sufficient. 



What are your plans for the summer? I want to hear all about them! 

As for me, I am working as a student intern at my church's youth ministry! I am STOKED for this opportunity to encourage and disciple the students this year even as God encourages and disciples me. I'm also teaching a summer intensive ballet program at my studio and training at the studio myself. And I want to grow this little blog and get to know y'all even more (expect an email sometime in the future). Oh, and I'm EIC of the local Odyssey team (see my post about that here). And I want to bake, craft, decorate, travel, read, write, watch television, take a clep test, plan for the upcoming school year, and rest. (whew)

As you can see, I have many hopes and lists for the summer, but I cling to these words from 1 John 4:16:

"And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them." 

Princess Hannah
Hannah
23 Comments

23 comments:

  1. I love your summer goals! :)

    Have a good weekend, Hannah!

    Allie D.
    www.alliesblogdesigns.blogspot.com
    www.friendlovesatalltimes.blogspot.com
    www.sincerelyallied.blogspot.com
    www.spreadingmyjoy.blogspot.com

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    1. Allie, you have given me so many new blogs to check out! Have a SUPER FABULOUS weekend yourself, dear!

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  2. I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO GETS FREAKED OUT BY SUMMER!!!

    I've always thought this was just me so seeing this made me quite happy. xD

    Gosh Hannah, you always have the best reminders. Thank you for yet again such a perfect one. : )

    It sounds like you're going to have a wonderful summer!! Those are some pretty awesome plans. I honestly haven't made many plans for my summer yet. I do know that I'll probably go to the lake a few times, I'd really like to redesign my blog, and hopefully work a bunch on my novel. Can't wait to see what this summer has in store!

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    1. Well, since we're almost the same person, it makes sense that we both get freaked out by the same things :)

      Blog redesign sounds exciting! I can't wait to see what you dream up. And you get that novel. Why? BECAUSE YOU ARE SO AMAZING AND TALENTED!! Summer will bring with it so many happy things, but hopefully much joy in Christ above all!

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  3. oh. my. goodness.
    THAAAAANK YOU SO MUCH HANNAH <3
    You have such a gift with words and truth, girl. Wow. this post really hit me hard, because this summer is really, really, unplanned right now for me, to put it mildly. there have been some very extreme shakeups in my life in the past month, and honestly, in a sense, i'm kind of (okay, honestly? VERY) anxious about this summer. it's definitely not going to be like any of the ones before, i know that much.

    So, this post really helped me. And even if everything was all peaches and cream right now, i still would need this post. Regardless of how much i want to "live in the moment" this summer (AND I WANT TO), i'm really never gonna find true happiness without being fully surrendered to Jesus. That's something i've been pondering lately. hm.

    anyways, thank you so much for this post <3 have a wonderful day xx

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    1. Autumn, I am praying for you, that our God of peace and joy and purpose may show His invisible qualities to you this summer in ways unexpected and beautiful even in the mess. May your sould find a home in the love of God! Oh, that is my prayer!

      YOU MUST WRITE ABOUT SAID PONDERINGS! Because I love to read these kinds of thoughts that contemplate things unseen yet known in the core of who we are.

      Anyways, thank you much for this comment. It makes me feel less alone in this battle that we fight with, for, and in the Lord!

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  4. that youth ministry sounds awesome! have fun with that!

    my summer plans are almost exclusively limited to finding a job. And then hopefully working said job. also I want to get a gym membership and work out. and go to the beach. that sounds incredible boring but Im not the kind of person to sit and relax. it doesnt suit me. but HAVE A GREAT SUMMER!

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    1. I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO IS SOOOOO MUCH!

      And yes, job hunting is a good summer activity, although possibly less fun. Not going to lie, I plan on working out quite a bit, either with ballet or cross-training. I kinda want to see what my body can do, you know? BEACH!!!

      I understand what you say when you say that you don't want to sit around, because I don't either. But I don't want to run around all the time either. There needs to be a balance.

      HAVE A FANTABULOUS SUMMER!!!

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  5. Ohh, awesome post! =)

    You're taking a CLEP test this summer?! I am too!! I will hopefully have it done before June, but we'll see. What topic are you taking?

    Some of my summer plans include finishing the second draft of my second novel, memorizing Psalm 91, learning some songs in American Sign Language and Spanish, and maybe some other ones that I can't think of at the moment... =)

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    1. I am going to try and test out of algebra so I don't have to take it next semester! And those are great summer plans! Like, all of them are wonderful and I can't wait to hear all about them!

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    2. Ahh, good idea! =) Algebra is a good one to skip. =P Lol.

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  6. I LOVE summer!!! It's my favorite season!! Great post!

    http://thecountrygurl.blogspot.com

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    1. Summer is so great! The possibilities make me super excited!

      Speaking of excited, I'm excited to meet you, Kiley! Your blog is quite cute!

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  7. Thank you for this post, Hannah!

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  8. God does have a huge say in our lives-- a lot of my previous summers, while in the "heat" of the moment (no pun intended :P), don't appear to be that great until reminiscing back upon them.

    As for what I'm doing this summer, I will be constantly writing snail mail (I'm so happy I can send actual letters now), volunteering at the library, attending a church conference and residential camp as a counselor, and potentially working as an assistant for a well-known music program in town. I'm really excited!

    xoxo Morning

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    1. Reminiscing is so wonderful. It helps us to see the big picture and appreciate the right now.

      YOU HAVE OFFICIALLY INSPIRED ME TO WRITE SNAIL MAIL!!! And I can't wait to hear all about your other summer adventures! Camp counselor, musician's assistant, library. You've got it all!

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  9. I totally understand how you feel about summer. And I'm so relieved I'm not the only one. I totally loved this post and your photos are simply amazing. :D

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    1. YOU ARE FOR SURE THAT YOU ARE NOT THE ONLY ONE!!!! I had to preach this post to myself alllll week this week. And I'm afraid that only the first one is mine (o rather a photographer friend of mine). The others are from stock photo websites!

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  10. OH Hannah! This post! Seriously, this is so great. Unlike a bunch of people, Summer is actually one of my least favorite seasons, and even though there are parts of it that I love (no school! Seeing friends I only see once a year!), there are also fears that come with it. This post is a wonderful reminder.

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    1. Yes, without a schedule and regular social interaction, I go a little bit CRAZZZZY!!! I hope that this post and God's Word continues to remind you on grace during the stressful parts of summer.

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  11. There is something about your writing that is so captivating. It always makes me smile.
    Destinee Nicole | A Dash of Destinee

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    1. FJKLJFDALKS SO GLAD TO MEET YOU DESTINEE!!! You comment makes blogging worth the while, so thankyouthankyouthankyou!!!!

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