Summer is the only season I like. June is my favorite month of the summer and, therefore, my favorite month of the entire year. Kids are out of school, the temperature is warm (but not super hot and humid), and fun summer activities are in full swing. After June of 2020 when COVID was on the rise and so many things were cancelled, I have found June of 2021 to be extra fun doing things WITH people rather than trying to social distance all the time. In fact, I have played more golf so far in 2021 than I played in 2017, 2018 and 2019 combined.
I play golf and have dinner most every Tuesday night during the summer with a group of friends. Five of us played together this week (rather than a typical foursome), so 9 holes took us a little longer. Because it was guest night, there were also more people eating dinner than usual. It was almost 9pm my the time we got our food and I found myself starting to get a little frustrated because everything was so slow…UNTIL…I realized it was June 15. My favorite month of the year was half over already. Oh no! The “self talk” that followed this revelation sounded just like the Zac Brown song I’d listened to earlier in the day –
Quiet your mind
Soak it all in
It’s a game you can’t win
Enjoy the ride (Zac Brown and Wyatt Durrette, 2010)
I stopped and reminded myself to slow down, as I really had NOTHING for which I needed to get home – kids are too old to need my help at bedtime, I didn’t have any work to do, and I didn’t need to get my lunch and clothes ready for tomorrow since I’m working from home. So, we ordered dessert and stayed out a little longer. So fun!
Given the events of Tuesday night, it is no surprise that my heart was draw to David’s words in verse 4 of our scripture for today –
For we are like a breath of air; our days are like a passing shadow (Psalm 144:4).
Life is short. We have the opportunity to choose Jesus and live the life to which God has called us while we are alive, but when life is over, we don’t have a “re-do” option. Knowing that God alone is the source of purpose, fulfillment and joy for our lives, why then would we chose to live for anything else?
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is (Ephesians 5:15-17).
Carpe diem!