Friends
The last Monday in May is Memorial Day in the United States, and it marks the beginning of summer. Labor Day held on the first Monday of September, marks the end. As I mark the passage of this season, summer turning to fall, I find that I have a question for you. Have you made it a summer to remember?
+++
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
Philippians 4:8 – NIV
The travel bug bit Eric and me early in life. We have traveled by plane, boat, and train, but after five years of camping, I can honestly say that my favorite way to travel is by RV. There’s just something special about rolling down the road, camper in tow, gazing out the truck windshield, the landscape continually changing before my eyes.
We love RV travel so much that Friday nights at the Sherer household are all about watching our RV Youtube channels. We especially love the “Keep Your Daydream” channel, “KYD” for short, and every week, we follow the channel’s hosts, Mark and Tricia Leach, as they journey across the country in their Airstream travel trailer. Mark and Tricia keep a “Summer to Remember” list of all the year’s best adventures, and their fans loved this idea, so much so that the couple began fashioning yearly t-shirts to promote this adventure tracking idea. Being big KYD fans, it’s become one of our traditions to purchase two “KYD Summer to Remember” t-shirts each year, one for me, another for Eric. Different colors, of course. Whenever we embark on one of our trip highlights, like a visit to a National Park or a sightseeing cruise, we donn our Summer to Remember t-shirts to mark the occasion. It’s a way to capture the moment, a means to savor the sweetness of this shared time together.
Here it is Labor Day, the day that marks the close of summer,, and I find myself with a moment of reflection. What things made this summer season special? What made 2024 a summer to remember?
Certainly, our camping trips have made the summer special. I loved our time at Virginia’s Fairystone State Park, enjoying the cool shade of its towering trees and a pleasant stroll along its lakeshore. I enjoyed the sunny days at Emerald Isle, NC, plopped in my beach chair ocean-side, chatting with my girlfriends while listening to the rolling tide. Our family reunion week is always a highlight, but this year was extra-special because our son Jonathan and his precious Jocelyn were able to join us for the festivities. Even better, they stayed on the East Coast for almost three weeks, offering some quality time with both sides of the family. There was even time for a road trip to Ann Arbor, Michigan to visit the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation. Our hours wandering through the museum complex together was my absolute highlight of the summer!
But the special moments of summer were not only about travel. There were the quiet moments on the front porch, watching the sunrise, listening to the coo of the mourning dove. There were the morning strolls through my garden, admiring each flower bloom. The vinca growing in the cracks of my driveway never fail to make me crack a smile. I have love running my fingers through the soft tendrils of my asparagus ferns or stroking the velvety leaves of the lady slipper plants in my back garden. Oh, and the black-eyed Susan’s, they have been a riot of color. Yes, most definitely, my time in my garden is always a treasure!
More than plants, it was the people that made the summer special: the long weekend I spent with my parents in June; the girl’s day out with my cousin Cathy; the in-person talk time with my favorite auntie and uncle; the 125th Peden family reunion; the precious Sherer family moments at Pipestem, WVA; the long lunches with friends; the shopping trips with Tami, my sister from another mother; outside visits with my neighbors; on-screen chats with my writing critique group; Thursday evenings with my Praise Team buddies; Sunday mornings with my church family; quiet evenings in my recliner alongside my spouse. Yes, indeed, treasured moments to cherish!
It occurs to me that there is great value in taking stock of the special moments of summer, and not just summer, but all year long. It’s easy to let the days pass by without much notice. It’s easy to take the good moments of our lives for granted. Too often, we focus on what is wrong in our lives, instead of celebrating what is right. In Philippians 4:8, the Apostle Paul shares an important perspective. “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Philippians 4:8, NIV).
There is so much wrong in this world, so much to be sad about, to complain about, to worry about. Yet, as I reflect on my Summer to Remember list, I am overwhelmed by how many good things there are to enjoy, each and everyday, so many excellent things,so many things worthy of praise. Still, we must pay attention, lest these precious moments pass us by.
Friends, what’s on your Summer to Remember list? Will you join me in focusing on what is good, and right, and true in our lives? Will you help me celebrate what is excellent and praiseworthy? Summer is fading away, but autumn begins anew. May we greet each new day with gratitude, finding the good, cherishing the excellent, and never failing to send up armfuls of heartfelt praise.
+++
“Give thanks to the Lord of Lords: His love endures forever.”
Psalm 136:3 – NIV
PRAYER
O Lord of Lords, we send up our praise, praises for the countless blessings You lovingly bestow upon us. We thank You for the beauty of creation, the love of family and friends, the precious gift of each new day. Lord, how graciously You provide for us, how rich are Your blessings. Let us never fail to remember Your goodness, Your faithfulness, Your lovingkindness. All glory, honor, majesty and praise to You, our Good and Gracious God!
In the Excellent Name of Jesus, we pray,
Amen
Blessings,
Anita
-APS 9/2/2024
Faith Beyond Sight 