It’s the last week of this year’s “Joy to the Soul Summer” series. I’m grateful I’ve spent part of the season with you. What are you most grateful for this summer? It may be a seemingly simple joy or the reality of something grand. It’s likely reflecting over the last year feels like a blend of what we’re grateful for and what we grieve over.

But whatever our heart contains, we can know the peace of God. We can know He holds us and the contents of our hearts in His hands.

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6 NLT).

As I reflect on all God has done, since last summer, many blessings come to mind.  I ‘ve seen friends face to face, gone to the beach, and done a slew of other activities I put on pause last year. In varying degrees and with various precautions, many of us are stepping into a new rhythm.

Some of us are vaccinated and some of us are not. But we can each make an effort to embrace this summer as a new opportunity. We may do more (or less) of the activities we love with the people we love. And yet, I realize depending on our experiences, gratitude may feel foreign.

But whether we describe our current season as a blessing or brutal, God knows. His care for us is specific to the season we’re in. The grace He gives is specific to the struggle we’re in.

However, our response to His care is our opportunity. There are times when I’ve been consumed by what concerns me. But there is a blessing as I trust God’s solutions for those concerns. (1 Peter 5:6-7)

He cares for you too my friend. His goodness prompts me to praise Him. Here are a few reasons why this is the summer of my grateful heart.

In the midst of a global pandemic, I’m still here. If you’re reading this post, you are too.

Prayer-filled walks provide a time of reflection, release, and refreshing.

Spending time with family and friends is an endless gift.

And with each new season God gives, there’s a new chance to grow in His grace.

In a quiet moment of the day or in the moment when you need it the most, may gratitude and His peace wash over you. May the remaining days of summer contain all the rest, renewal and joy your heart can hold.

I’ll be on a blogging break for the next few weeks until September 1. I hope you’ll meet me here, as we continue the journey of finding more hope for the heart and joy to the soul!

This post is part of the "Joy to the Soul Summer" series. Each post has reflections on the season and scriptural inspirations to encourage your faith. Share this series with a friend and encourage their faith too! Read more from the series here.

I’ll be on a blogging break for the next few weeks until September 2. I hope you’ll meet me here, as we continue the journey of finding more hope for the heart and joy to the soul!

This post is part of the "Joy to the Soul Summer" series. Each post has reflections on the season and scriptural inspirations to encourage your faith. Share this series with a friend and encourage their faith too! Read more from the series here.