I have to go on record ... Summers usually are oppressive and difficult to endure for me, at least since being an adult!  The thought of going to work while others are playing, splashing around in one of our lovely rivers or a neighborhood pool was only a visible reminder of my "trapped" condition.  

In past years, I grew to dread the approach of summer knowing it would be hard, an endurance test of sorts.  Something always arose as an physical or emotional obstacle, impeding my progress, hung around my ankles like a ball and chain ... something!  Now, I have to add that God's grace was always more than enough to comfort me through whatever difficulties came my way.  None of us, though, enjoys difficult times.

Perhaps that cycle has been broken, at last!  Although I seem to be a bit accident prone of late, the summer has had none of the "heaviness" that has overshadowed me in the past.  Difficulties have come and gone, but their affect on me has been diminished.  I suppose it is because my TRUST in my God has been stretched.  When I begin to apprehend the depth, the breadth, the length of God's unconditional love for me (for each of us!), it makes it waaaaaay easier to TRUST him and step out into the "darkness" in search of light.  And ... for what it's worth, time has absolutely FLOWN by!  I can't believe it is already the end of July!  Time flies when you're having fun, right? 

This realization puts a smile on my face.  It means I'm growing, changing, ALIVE!    I'm glad you're alive, too!  I can tell you all this:  there are seasons of darkness for each of us, but, if we can forge ahead, even in tiny steps, there is always HOPE for a brighter day!  Even if circumstances do not change, WE can change and / or be changed for the better even by unfavorable situations. Old patterns can be broken, past expectations can be revised, and former throught patterns can be re-mapped!  HOPE!

~ B