Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5).

Happy summer! 

Brighter days, nicer weather and vacation time? Bring it on!

If you’re anything like me, you long for this time of year. It’s an opportunity to enjoy extra time with family and friends, enjoy a good BBQ and rest from the regular hustle and bustle of our daily lives. 

The light shines!

Despite summer’s pleasures, these days can be spiritually tough and dry. My routine can get out of sorts because varying summertime commitments can easily fill up my calendar. Although they are good and needed, they can take advantage of this privileged time for rest. 

So what can we do about it?

I think it’s found in the art of lingering! 

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines lingering as “to be slow in parting or in quitting something.”

Summer lingering is an intentional season which parts from a busy life and enters into rest and refreshment. The brighter days and slower pace create room to linger. We linger over a good meal or a great conversation. We linger as we watch the sunset or as we end time on the patio.

These are all good things!

But the summer is an opportunity for each of us to linger with the Lord. We simply rest with Him.

Yes, we can set a time for prayer and the sacraments. We can also use those moments for lingering opportunities. We can linger after Mass, over the daily readings, and in a state of calmness with the Lord.

As I think about those spaces I create to linger, I realize those are the best moments in conversations when someone shares something vulnerable or when I have the best laugh. Lingering with the Lord permits Him to speak words of peace and love to us.  

These summer months often give us more space in our routines and schedules. Let’s use them so that we can continue growing our relationship with our Father.

Let’s not miss out on this wonderfully rejuvenating opportunity, so that Jesus will give us the best this summer!

Patrick is a beloved son of the Father who desires to use his gifts to build up the Kingdom of God. You can read more of his writing on his blog.