Summer is only halfway through, but it feels like it’s already over. Isn’t that sad? I saw Halloween decorations in the craft store this week. It’s not even AUGUST! I had half a mind to ask the manager to move the terrifying witch away from the front door, but my husband thought that maybe I should just live and let live.

Novel idea! Haha!

In any case, I’m refusing to buy into the pressure to jump into fall preparations with both feet. Sure, I’ll dabble as needed, but I’m not going full pumpkin spice until at LEAST September. Bring on the second half of summer, with all its catch-up visits, beach days and iced coffees. We’re keeping the pace slow, throwing some new things in the mix, and making as many ordinary memories as we can while we have the time because we know that nothing is guaranteed in this life.

Tough lesson to learn; necessary for staying in the moment. 

The different subcultures we’re a part of try to make us feel like we’re missing out on things all the time. Trends, online content, activities, products — the list goes on. Not to mention all the social and extracurricular activities that ramp up in the fall. In our city, registering for swimming lessons is like the Hunger Games!

What’s a girl to do? It really comes down to wisdom, doesn’t it? It’s difficult to choose wisely how to spend the precious time we’ve been given. There will always be things we cannot participate in for one reason or another — whether by our own principles or our circumstances. We don’t have to let someone else’s life become the measuring stick for ours. We can what-if ourselves into a tizzy (at least I can), but it always comes with sleepless nights, fear-based decisions and natural consequences.

The real questions then become: Can I count the cost of worry? Can I count the cost of overcommitting to things because the pressure is on, the plans are being made, the emails are awaiting a prompt reply?

Fear of Missing Out is a terrible master.

It may serve us better if we take a closer look at what we’re about to agree to, consider the big picture, and make decisions for the season of life we are in, not just the season of the year. 

Lord, cultivate a heart of gratitude in us! Help us to see the blessings right in front of us and to leave room for You to bring the unexpected delights and challenges of the day. Keep our eyes wide open to the ways You are at work in our lives. We know that when we don’t see a way, You’ve already made one.