The Beautiful Chaos of Summer
Does anyone else have a love-hate relationship with summer?
I love the extra time with my kids, but hate how little I get done around the house.
I love spending time outdoors in the sun, but I hate the extreme heat.
I love the relaxed schedule, but miss my normal routine.
All of this led me to thinking about the seasons today.
Not just the seasons of the year, but the seasons of life.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 says (ESV):
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.”
The Seasons of Life
For me, every summer brings a season of beautiful chaos.
There’s no real schedule. The house is a mess. The front door is left open as kids run in and out.
It’s a season of frustration, but also a season of love – of hugs and giggles. Of late nights and early mornings. A season of camping and bonfires. A season of family and friends.
I know that all too soon fall will be upon us. School will resume (I got the supply list yesterday), football and cross country will be in full swing, and my normal schedule will be back on track. I’ll be productive, but I’ll miss roller skating in the street with my little girl. I’ll miss the morning snuggles and afternoons at the pool.
And then again, the seasons will change. Football will end and basketball will begin. The leaves will fall and the weather will turn cold. Thanksgiving and Christmas will be gone in the blink of an eye. The weather will turn warm again. Track and baseball will start and summer will upon us once again.
That’s the seasons of life for my family right now. I know those seasons in and of themselves are only seasons though. My oldest starts high school in the fall. Four short years and he will be grown. This is also my last year with children in the elementary school. The seasons keep changing.
Embracing the Moment
Thus, I’ve decided that no matter how messy my house is or how much cold air seeps out the front door, it’s time to embrace the beautiful chaos of this season.
“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Psalm 118:24 (ESV)
To help do that, I’ve connected with some other bloggers to bring you some fun quotes about why they love summer.
Why Do You Love Summer?
“Summer is a time to slow down, and invest in relationships with my children, spouse, extended family, and friends.”
~ Jessica Harris from HarnessingHappy.com
“I love that I get to slow down and enjoy Gods creation of this world with all my kids. We spend so much time together and just going slow…it’s a wonderful thing to share what God has put on this earth with them. Hiking allows us to bask in His creation and gift to us.“
~ Lauren Jane from BellowsInTheBerkshires.com
“Summer for me means family time and ministry. My husband is a Family Pastor and we are so blessed to have a church family committed to both strengthening their own families and reaching out to new families through VBS and camps.”
~ Sarah Liberty from LibertyGraceLove.com
“My favorite thing about summer is enjoying being outside doing summer activities, which one of my favorites is golf!”
~ Candid Gal, Debbie Erickson
“Root beer floats with the kids – it’s been a tradition since they were little that we go get all the fixin’s on really hot days, and enjoy them together.”
~ Candid Gal, Sherry Chamblee
What About You?
Tell us about the beautiful chaos of your summer or share something you love about summer in the comments below.
Summer brings a season of beautiful chaos… what's you're favorite part? Click To Tweet
Summer is seriously my most favorite time of year. As teachers, it means me, my husband and our 14 year old all get to be home together. There is still life happening, but the beauty of seeing a movie in the middle of the day, eating Popsicles by the pool – and hello – no packing lunches or driving carpool – is just dreamy for me! I’m always sorry to see summer go, but yup, every season has it’s story. Glad to visit from Salt & Light today, Heather.
Thanks for stopping in, Tiffany! Summer holds something different for every family, and I can definitely see why it would be your favorite. How fun! Enjoy your time together.
Like you, I’m trying to embrace the moments. So too am I trying to incorporate fun, scholastics, and Bible into my son’s days. Then, just today, I found myself doing PE with him! Beautiful chaos indeed.
We never know where the twists and turns of life will find us do we, Erin? Enjoy your summer!
My favorite thing about summer with my kids is having more time to see family (my mom doesn’t work in the summer), as well as letting loose in our backyard and going on neighborhood walks as a family. I admit, I struggle with the lack of a routine and the messes that my kids create, but I’m learning to embrace it! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by my blog today, Heather! Love this post!
I’m with you, Laura – learning to embrace the lack of routine and messes is the hardest part, but the extra family time is so worth it.
I love summer for the relaxed schedule but I struggle with the lack of personal time. I love the warm weather and pool time but not humidity and sunburns. Now that my oldest is in elementary, the summer goes too fast and it’ll only continue to speed up as the kids get older.
You are so right, Megan! It seems like each year goes by a little faster than the last. I’m still not sure where Thanksgiving went and it’s almost here again.
I love the long days. In Minnesota, the sun doesn’t go down until almost after 9 p.m.
Yes! I love the long days of summer. Cool mornings and evenings are my favorite.
What a great post! I completely understand the “love hate relationship” with summer & working hard to embrace it for my family. Grass on the kitchen floor & muddy boots in the hall mixed with the special sleep that comes from a day in the sun. Its a beautiful mess!
It really is, Katie. Thanks for stopping in.
It is definitely a chaotic season here. But just yesterday I had all the neighborhood kids playing in my house and I realized that I’d always wanted to have the house all the kids want to be. And all of a sudden the noise was music to my ears. Perspective makes a world of difference!
Perspective does make a difference, Jen! We have that house too, and there are times when it just hits me that the sound of the children’s laughter that fills the halls is totally worth the mess they leave behind and the extra food they eat.
Such a great post! Summer and motherhood are the very best pair. And I for one appreciate and even look forward to the lazy chaos. It’s exactly what our souls need.
That’s great, Chrystal. For me, summers are busier than the school year. I still look forward to them, but they are generally anything but lazy around the Hart house. At least for mom. The kids get to be lazy, LOL
Summer is a struggle for us this year. We are moving from the place we’ve called home for three years to a place where the only person I know is our realtor. My boys are an age now when they’ve begun to make good friends and all the “see ya’ laters” are suffocating us. Despite all that and the chaos, my husband and I have been trying to do a few fun things with them. Praying they’ll remember the laughter more than the tears! Blessings!
I think every parent prays that, Liz. Life is full of ups and downs, but God uses them all to mold them into the people He wants us to become.
Every season of my life seems to progress into a messier mess (if that makes any sense) I see things getting more out of control and I start to fear for the next season. Psalm 118 tells me to rejoice in this moment. Love it!
LOL, Lisle, that makes total sense. Life seems to spin by faster every year which makes things chaotic. But we can be thankful and rejoice in today.
I love just getting to have fun together without as much focus on school and other responsibilities. It’s time to enjoy life and the goodness God brings!
That’s my kids favorite part of school – no homework!
You’re so right! Summer is a season of beautiful chaos! Love this post! Beautiful! My favorite thing about summer is spending more time with family and going on adventures like hiking and camping!
Those are some of my favorite things about summer, too!
You’ve reminded me that I do. NOT. need to have a strict schedule. (Really?!) and that house Does NOT have to be spotless (that’s a good thing.) But also God balance every season (Thank goodness) and every moment, and every reason. Hallelujah !
Thanks for being candid Heather!
Amen, April! I’m so thankful that God is the one in control. Thanks for stopping in.
I like summer; I’ve always loved it no matter where I lived. In the Bahamas, it was a time when all the children were out and we enjoyed long days. In Brooklyn, we spent many nights on the stoop because it was too hot inside. When my children were younger they spent summers in Jamaica with their grandparents – so summer became a respite for me and an opportunity to be a star at work. These days I just go with the flow as I enjoy the heat of summer while focusing on new goals.
That’s awesome, Nylse! I loved summers when I was a child. It’s when I made some of the best memories.