Taking Stock

Though summer is often a time when things slow down a bit, I have found the past month has been one of the busiest of the year so far. School being out for summer means more activities for the kids and in our house, we have had something scheduled almost every night.

A few of my favourite podcasts have gone on hiatus for the summer and over the last two weeks I have been reflecting on where to go next with my blog.

When I started The Cedar Life in December of 2020, I had originally planned to publish a new post every two weeks. I have been diligent in keeping to this commitment, with two exceptions. There have been occasions when I have published four weeks in a row, but at the very least I have tried to try to show up every other week.

I did not start the blog with a planned outline of months’ worth of posts or an arc that I planned to follow. In fact, one of my greatest fears after hitting the publish button for the first time was that I would write the three posts I had in mind and then run out of ideas.

Thankfully, that has not been the case. And it is not the case now. When I get an idea, I record it somewhere – my phone, a napkin, or sometimes I am driving and create a mnemonic device to help me remember. Eventually, these ideas get into a single workbook. I generally have about three or four ideas from which to write a post.  Right now I have eight.

This blog is a hobby for me. It’s a hobby that I love and a dream of mine is that one day it will turn into something more than a hobby. But for now a hobby is what it is and requires time and effort to maintain.

Amidst a busy July looking into what I hope will be a calmer August, I feel like this is a moment to pause.

Summer Days and Nights

Starting this week, our kids’ programming and activities end. We have purposely left the August calendar blank from camps and activities to allow for more time as a family and to enjoy the benefits of summer. I look forward to more evenings sitting outside, more reading, and more time for un-planned play.

Our family is also taking what I expect to be an epic road trip this month. Though it means a lot of driving, my hope is that it will provide lasting memories and a proper break for our family. It’s been a while since we’ve gotten away like this.

The summer offers restoration. After the last couple of years, that is something I think we could all use.

While it is tempting to think of it as chance to reset and reload for what will surely be a busy fall, I am going to try and use the next six weeks to just be present and grateful for the moments on offer. I am often guilty of overanalyzing the future and potential outcomes, but I feel like God is calling me in this moment to just be and not fret about what might or might not happen in any area of my life.

Seek Restoration

In this time, we need more than a week’s vacation. I know I do. But I also know that when I seek it in the world, I might find relief or comfort, but neither of these will sustain me in the long term. What we all need is healing and peace that lasts and to obtain that we must go to the source.

Each of us is uniquely designed and so are the ways we orient ourselves to God. He has written in the depths of our hearts things that make us feel seen and whole. Things that transcend the moment and the material.

This summer, my prayer for each of us is that we will find those things that bring us life and seek more of them, knowing that they lead back to the source of all that is good. The Father wants you and I to be blessed by the quiet, the laughter, the fun, and the beauty that summer often brings. The map to these things is on our hearts and He is desperate for us to find Him there.

See you in the fall.

– Sean

If you enjoy reading these posts, please comment below, share with a friend, and subscribe to the blog to receive the latest updates in your email. You can also stay updated by following The Cedar Life on Instagram: @thecedarlife or Twitter: @thecedarlife

Get new content