We labor here; there’s work to do
To earn a living from day to day
The satisfaction of a job that’s done
In times of harvest and of gathering in
In faithful service we labor and reap
And offer thanks for the work of our hands
Establish now, God; please bless and favor
… Our toil is our worship to God who provides
Charlotte-Anne Allen
“Sit a spell and rest your feet!”
What a welcome southern invitation bringing thoughts of warmth, good company, and honest labor! Settling down with a cool drink of water and comfortable companionship lifts one’s spirits. After a long but satisfying day of work, I look forward to sitting and relaxing for a while. Don’t you, too?
I find that it’s harder to get to sleep at night if I haven’t given myself some time to just sit and find refreshment in some simple enjoyable things. Easy time talking with a family member is appreciated, as well as some time alone. I look forward to a nice quiet spot by myself where I can read or write, spend some time in thought, pray, and do other things which I enjoy.
What are some things that refresh you after a long or busy day or week? Those of us who are caregivers may be especially challenged to create moments to refresh yourselves. Seeking ways to pause, if only for brief breaks, will do much for our frame of mind and our ability to do our best with a positive attitude.
This reminds me that even Jesus was intentional about creating those times. As he was traveling with his disciples, they stopped at a well and Jesus sent the disciples off to town to buy some food. He sat down by the well, tired and thirsty, seeking refreshment and welcoming the pause.
Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey,
sat down by the well. It was about noon. John 4:6
I remember my childhood days of warm summer evenings playing outside with my brothers and neighborhood friends. I hear again the sounds of occasional passing cars, televisions, and our laughs and shouts, as our parents sat and talked after finishing the day’s chores… drinking from that well that comes from God. I remember times when we gathered with my family around a campfire, roasting marshmallows and enjoying each other. I’m thankful for those times and for opportunities to create them now, to pause and be refreshed.
May you be blessed this week as you rest in your travels and sit down by the well. Prayers for refreshment and renewal, quiet times of rest, and comfortable companionship!
Barefoot days
Shorts and T’s
Cool clear water
Garden fresh veggies
Warmth for body
Sun’s rays heating
Fans blowing, shade cooling
Welcome breezes stirring
Birds calling, dogs barking
Yard mowing, weed pulling
Storms rolling, rain falling
Golden sun rays, moist woods
Early morning and evening’s chill
Dew’s sparkle and quiet hush
Life and faith one day at a time
Summer’s rhythm speaks of contentment
• As cool weather moves to summer heat, so does time flow ever forward
• As gatherings bring reunion, so friendship brings renewal
• As outdoor activities and fair weather draw us, so encouragement and enjoyment bring us together and build positive relationships
• As lightning flashes and thunder roars, so is one who seeks attention or hides pain
• As vacations and travel bring welcome breaks, so shared experiences and time bring greater understanding and perspective
• As fields are harvested, so completed work satisfies and brings provision
• As yards are mowed and gardens tended, so treat your own bodies with care
• As the smells of summer cooking waft through the air, so does the telling of stories and revisiting of sights renew and build memories
• As the sun’s light and heat engulf us, so may God’s Word fill us
• As water cools and refreshes, so does a positive spirit bring calm and hope
– from “As… so Proverbs”
Charlotte-Anne Allen
• Watch what you touch as it may stick to you
• Accumulated experiences shape and form us
• Heated words can burn up friendships
• Act wisely and think to avoid spreading harm
• Pain and struggle can contribute to unhealthy buildup
• Uncontrolled anger spews hurt upon all around
• Miscommunication causes frustration and estrangement
• Covering up mistakes reflects insecurity
• Honesty and humility help to clear the air
• Tough things in life require hard work to overcome
• Uplifting music covers encourages and soothes
• Caring acts grow from compassionate hearts
• Daily prayer is like a good cleaning
• God is our chimney sweep
From “Reflections from the Everyday”
– Charlotte-Anne Allen
Summer’s bright splash of color
Swaying in greeting to wind’s light touch
Quiet conductors with raised wands
Now trills the songbirds’ joy
In harmony with busy buzzing
Neighbor greeting neighbor and
Workers moving in steady contentment
They lead an attentive orchestra
Turning to hear their voices and
Lifting faces to welcome soft touch
So, we move to quiet beat
Giving thanks for day’s harmony
For splashes of color and gentle touches
Work well done and songs well sung
Building growing forming joining
Connections produce the larger whole
Dot-to-dot, white country fences,
Friends and neighbors, family
Look around you everywhere
All with places or parts to play
Birds sitting upon a line,
Small child clinging to your hand
Business office, work and play
Emails filling texts exchanging
But best of all formed and strong
Speaking caring come together
Making connections
To last and treasure
“Yaaay!!!” I joined the mob of other kids streaming from the school. Faces were excited and energy was high. The beginning of summer vacation was a long-awaited event! Thoughts of free time, lazy mornings, and summer events filled our minds. Visits to relatives, camping trips, fresh garden food, and (for me) frequent travel to the local libraries to keep my summer reading stack replenished were welcome plans. I still look forward to the warm weather and the change of pace that this season brings. Each season in life is a time of new beginnings.
The Bible is full of stories of beginnings. Some of them were very hard and others were most welcome. What do I do with my beginnings? Times change and events impact our lives, with my family (births, farewells, deaths) … in my work (saying good-bye to a child I have worked with and their family) … my church (as I move from one area of service or commitment to another) … and in the changing responsibilities and seasons throughout the year. Endings mark beginnings.
What thoughts do you have about your own beginnings? As in the excitement of summer, resolve to enter with a positive attitude and assurance of God’s presence and guidance for whatever may come. Whether our beginnings are marked with anticipation or with anxiety, we can take courage.
Ecclesiastes chapter three begins with acknowledgement that “for everything there is a season,” times for beginnings and endings… and new beginnings, and so life goes on. The writer continues with,
“What gain have the workers from their toil?
I have seen the business that God has given to everyone to be busy with.
He has made everything suitable for its time.
Moreover, he has put a sense of past and future into their minds…
I know that there is nothing better for them than to be happy
and enjoy themselves as long as they live.
Moreover, it is God’s gift that all should eat and drink and take pleasure in all their toil.” *
As we move with intent in our work and in our rest, I hope that we can look with anticipation and interest. My prayers are that we will take comfort, even excitement, and be strengthened as we face new beginning through our more challenging times. May we remember and know afresh God’s presence with us. As we come to Him in prayer and give thanks for His gifts each day, may we be blessed through our beginnings.
*Ecclesiastes 3:1, 9-12
Cool air wafting on sweaty brows
Or sunshine’s warmth to ease day’s chill
Stretching and turning; curling and snuggling
Quiet moments bring respite; fill us.
Satisfied… Embracing peace
Shedding cares for a time
We savor the richness
Close our eyes and breath deeply
The noise of the day recedes
And we rest …content
from “Reflections from the Everyday”
by Charlotte-Anne Allen
The Still Small Voice 