In the midst of all of our summer fun, Kevin and I managed to escape for a delicious kids-free dinner together. The evening was magical.....we had a gift card and a free babysitter. (A huge thanks to my sister, Christi, who is currently in 1st place as our favorite sibling. No offense to the rest of you, but you know, free babysitting. Hard to beat.) We don't get a lot of nights out alone together, so we try to make the most of those we have. We had a delicious dinner at Pappas Steakhouse. If you've never been to a really nice restaurant with Kevin Long, you should try to do so some time. He asks the waiters questions like, "Is this bread free?", eavesdrops on the conversations of the people sitting around us, and insists that the valets "treat her right" when he hands over his car keys.
Another highlight from our summer so far...Parker pooped on the potty. It has only happened twice, but that's enough to restore my hope that he will indeed move out of my house one day and become a contributing member of society. He still licks EVERYTHING and writes all over himself with marker, but frankly that doesn't put him too far off from a lot of adults I know. So again, we're making progress.
We have swam, played Monopoly, watched movies, read books, built forts. I feel like we have truly enjoyed each other in a way we sometimes forget to when schedules, homework and discipline get in the way. I know we can not live in this world of cereal and sunshine forever...that schedules, homework and discipline are good for us...so I am especially grateful of this season of rest. It does feel like that, too. Rest. Which is kind of funny because most people wouldn't consider the amount of time I've spent with four young boys the past month and a half as restful. The Lord does work in mysterious ways.....
But, yes. Rest.
Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him for God is our refuge.
Psalm 62:5-8
I don't know what rest might look like for you these days. I know rest can come in all forms, from vacation to mourning, celebration to grief. The purest form of rest depends not on our present circumstances, but on our ability to take refuge in God amidst everything that may (or may not) be going on. I mean, ideally we'd all be sitting at the beach looking out over the beauty of an endless ocean. Or waking up to take a deep breath of fresh mountain air. But in case you happen to be in Houston and your deep breath includes some sand from Africa that's blown across the ocean and into your backyard....
Don't let even that hold you back from God's perfect rest. Your thoughts, fears, wishes, concerns, joy and sadness....let them rest upon His shoulders not matter where you are and what you're doing. His refuge is a gift to you, His hope our greatest treasure.
Happy Summer!
XOXO....Kelly
