Most people outside the education world, find themselves jealously coveting a summer schedule such as ones that a teacher has- thinking it is free from work and full of play. Funny thing is while there is time for play and I don't have to get up at the crack of dawn for work, there is plenty of work to be done. Things that I relegate for the summer thinking that I will have plenty of time to do it, but often it's too long to even attempt to finish. Right now, I currently have three separate lists going- one for work, one for personal, and one for projects for my apartment. Summer is a delicate balance for me to keep busy enough, but allow myself the rest the 10 hour days, some nights, and weekends the school year has exhausted me into.
For me though, summer is often the Devil's playground. I have a love, hate relationship with it. It's often during this time that I am faced with realities in my life that I try desperately to avoid. During summer, I often fend off bouts of anxiety and depression, which the Devil knows full well is where he can prey. A few weeks of vacation has been perfect, but the extended time- well it often reeks havoc on my spirit. So here we are three weeks in, my usual tipping point, but I find myself incredibly relaxed. I have a few health issues to deal with but my summer is tapered with long weekends and appointments during the week that too much idleness hasn't been a problem as of yet.
In all this transparency, I must tell you this though, I started out my summer much differently than normal. On mission in Detroit with 25+ teenagers. I had no idea what I was getting into to be honest- I had never been on mission as a leader- just as a member of the team. The transformation of my spirit and the hearts of these students- wow! I was just amazed at what God could accomplish in such a short time. Over the next few entries- I'll be sharing with you those things and I can't wait!
