Feels Like Summer



Although the Fourth of July feels like summer’s halfway point, it’s really just the beginning. 

By the calendar’s authority, there’s still plenty of summer left. 

I grew up in Pittsburgh where each season makes a clear-cut appearance. But living in Florida, it’s hard to keep track of the months and holidays because they all feel one way. 

Hot. 

It feels as if summer slides right into winter. 

I sweat through September and Halloween and all of a sudden it’s Thanksgiving and Christmas is on the way. 

And it still feels like summer. 


But I like having some of summer all year round. With just a splash of the other three seasons thrown in. 

And if I could choose, I’d like the season of summer to be where my life permanently resides. 

I’d choose to sprawl and lounge, basking all the time in the sunshine. 

I'd like my life to be about cherries, berries and cream all year long. With none of the pits and pitfalls. 

But it doesn’t work that way. 

And I’m learning to appreciate the other seasons. 

The seasons of waiting to hear from God on which way I should go, the seasons abuzz with excitement and anticipation, the seasons of pausing to reflect and meditate, and the seasons of wrestling with heartache and difficulty.


Because those cooler seasons are when I learn the most. 

About God, about myself, about others. 

And I have so much more to learn about others. About giving and accepting and esteeming and encouraging. 

This week, a friend sent me a message that he felt God put me in his life for a reason. 

For this season. To encourage him. To move on to the next season of his life. 

Seasons are short. Friends come and go. Opportunities arrive and depart. Seasons change. 

I know that my life can't always be filled with firecrackers, sparklers and big bangs. 

Sometimes what I’m doing fizzles, cools and gets snuffed out. 

But even though it feels like my life is at the halfway point, I'm learning that there’s still plenty of summer left.


Summer Berry Trifle
I bake a white or French vanilla cake (Duncan Hines) in a 9x13 pan according to the directions on the box, but you can use store-bought angel food cake or pound cake, too. I use strawberries, blueberries and raspberries, but any kind of berry will work. 

Filling
2 pkgs cream cheese
1 cup sour cream 
1 container Cool Whip
2 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla

Beat together the cream cheese, sour cream, sugar and vanilla until creamy. Fold in the Cool Whip. Cut the cake into small pieces and layer the cake, filling and fruit in a deep bowl or trifle bowl. (I start with cake, but you can layer in any order, as long as the top layer is the filling.) Garnish the top with fruit. Chill.

Comments

  1. Great article - love the comparisons of the seasons to where we are in our life with God. Great insight. The same as seasonal, we can't always be on the mountaintop - but it's the valleys (change in seasons) that help make us who we are and to help us appreciate the 'summer days' in our walk with God! Wonderful pictures - thanks for the recipe!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Love that - - the changes in seasons and the valleys help make us who we are! Thank you as always for being such an encourager to me!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's your articles that encourage me!! Keep them coming!

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