The summer holidays have begun, and, as a teacher, I am fortunate enough to have this time away from work. Having nearly six weeks off in one stint is obviously a blessing, but it can be a daunting prospect too. I suspect that I am not alone in my tendency to overthink the whole thing.

What the summer holidays does provide is an opportunity for a bit of a reset. It can be a time to refocus on our values and priorities, to think about the rhythms and routines of our day-to-day lives, and to be mindful of the preciousness of our time. Which sounds dull. But, as Jeff Pratt explains in his invigorating book, The Homeward Call, the rhythms and routines we make for ourselves can often be gateways to a more joyful way of life.

Jeff’s book has found me, as books do, at the right time. At the heart of the book, is Jeff’s contagious love for God and his awareness of God’s love for him (and each of us). Jeff lives an adventurous, joy filled life focused on loving God and others. I raced through this book, because it is filled with great stories. He tells stories of miracles. Some of these are strange and grand, but more striking are the many beautiful, ‘every-day’ instances of how he and others have been encouraged, loved and supported; how their hearts have been drawn back again and again to the loving call of God.

This summer, I am drawn to seeking, celebrating and sharing the love of God, which can be seen all around us, despite the world’s chaos and pain. I am being drawn back to practises of community, worship, gratitude and giving. As Ann Voskamp once wrote, “life is about seeing that God is good and sharing that goodness around”*.

This week, as I lean into all these things, I am hugely grateful for some of the lovely, meaningful ways I have encountered God’s love, goodness and joy recently. Having community around us, and the healing work of God, are just so powerful.

I see this in my children, in particular. Both of them have recently been doing lots of things that are new or hard for them. It has been complete joy to watch them overcome certain difficulties, grow and mature, and enjoy themselves. From taking part in a dance show, to expressing their feelings, to trying horse riding, to trusting other adults, and many more small and big steps, they are making me proud every day. Equally, we have been making space for play, rest and time together, which also feel great. As always, it is often the small things that are the most meaningful: things like evening football games; riding our bikes; board games in the library and turning a cardboard box into a boat.

Just in case this all sounds too twee, I write this from a position of very real challenge in terms of my parenting and other aspects of life. Some of these challenges make the “wins” all the more sweet; some of them simply remain tough. But this post is about celebrating the good stuff.

As summer moves on, whatever it looks like for you, what are the small things bringing you joy? And what are the rhythms, routines or practises you are drawn to at the moment?

A few recommendations for you:

Book: The Homeward Call, by Jeff Pratt

Song: Praise God for That, by Jordan Feliz

Activity: Choose play this week, even with adults or older kids. It could be football, jenga, pretend play or creative play.