Ah, Summer...You are Luxurious.

Summer is glorious, and living an academic life means I get to use it to the best of my advantage. Let me show you how:








Each morning begins with some quality time with my new computer.
We have come to care for each other deeply, and continuously revel in the good fortune that brought us together.










Then, I head outside with my coffee to my chairs. I have been reflecting recently on what it means to seek the kingdom of God in all areas of my life, and also on how sometimes the things of God that need to be sought are hidden from us. Seeking hidden things requires quiet. It requires luxurious amounts of time. It is perfect for summer.

Later in the afternoon usually finds me back here, with stacks of books and articles, reading and reflecting on what I will need to know for my comprehensive exams. (I have decided that comprehensive exams are scary, but manageable--if one has coffee and adirondack chairs readily available that is.)




At some point in the day I gather with friends. Some gatherings are well thought out, others are completely spontaneous.










All are rewarding. Fun. Soul reviving.








(Luxurious.)








I have done oodles of laundry,

cleaned out my closets,










put away sweaters and gotten out skirts.










I have been visited by Dixie.

(Notice I am not mentioning the oodles of laundry laying on the ground in a heap. That is not luxurious).








I have scrubbed nooks and crannies, mopped my floors, rearranged my furniture.

I have worked on a project involving gigantic sheets of paper that have become the bane of my existence, and yet provide me the summer funding that allows me to claim a life of luxury.







I have baked yummy treats,

for myself and for others.

And, I have spent some prolonged periods of time with this old friend, preparing for a concert that you can probably read about here in just a few days. (Stay tuned.....) The luxury of this was not lost on me when today I listened to myself play and thought "baby, maybe you haven't lost it after all....you just needed some quality time to get it going again....".

It is luxurious to drown in sound, and to feel my fingers fly.

I do not know why my life is so perfectly suited to my temperament. I do not know why God has chosen to allow me space to think, to converse, to reflect, to laugh, to love. I do not know why I am allowed to just be. I do know, however, that I love it. And that I am grateful.

Ah Summer--you are indeed luxurious.