đ©” Summer Comfort: In God's Care.
Year of Breath: Father's Day Prayer, Playlist, Prompts & More
What might summer have in store for youâŠif only you took some time to breathe deep and draw near to the One who gives each breath?
I share this in the summer introduction of Every Season Sacred:
Summer offers us a chance to slow down, forcing us to answer the uncomfortable question, What will we do with our days when they grow longer and lighter?
Summer invites us to noticeâto be outside in the fresh air and feel the prickle of sweat on our skin, the sweetness of a strawberry melting on our tongue.
We can take notice of the stubborn lilies that sprout among the weeds in the back alley. We can be like children, lost in the wonder of a butterflyâs wings, charmed by a melted sorbet sunset.
âThis delicious season can slip by us in our quest for the extraordinaryâthe perfect vacation, the crossed-off bucket list, the back-to-school countdown,â writes Laura Fanucci of
, who has taught me so much about finding the holy in the seemingly mundane. âBut when we lunge after the exceptional, we can let the ordinary beauty pass us by.â
What ordinary beauty might be nestled in the contours of our families this season, if weâre able to slow down enough to notice?
What might our children remember years down the roadânot about what you did but about how they felt?
This Week
As summer unfolds, it brings with it a mix of excitement, nostalgia, and sometimes, a bit of pressure. The longer days invite us to relax and slow down, yet the expectations we place on ourselves can make this season feel anything but restful.
For many of us, Father's Day brings another layer of complexity. It's a time to honor the fathers in our lives, but it can also stir up mixed emotions if our own relationships with our fathers were (or are) challenging.
In this edition of Year of Breath, we focus on comfortâfinding solace in God's presence, embracing the warmth of summer, and navigating the complexities of fatherhood with grace.
Letâs breathe deeply together, finding moments of peace and comfort in this beautiful yet demanding season.
A Prayer for Fatherâs Day
Lord, bless the fathers in their many forms,
Who love with open arms,
Who walk in patience and peace,
And who bring passion and playfulness
To their families, young and old.
May they feel the fullness of Your great love,
Today and in all days to come.
We thank You, Lord, for fathers.
Excerpt from To Light Their Way: A Collection of Prayers and Liturgies for Parents. (Read the full prayer in the book!)
As you enter this slower stretch of time, may you be open to how the God of all seasons is reminding you that your family needs rhythms throughout the year to simply be.
Every Season Sacred: Reflections, Prayers, and Invitations to Nourish Your Soul and Nurture Your Family throughout the Year
Reading Plan For June
Looking for some summer reading? Iâve put together a gentle guide for a short reading every week for this month. Each week, youâll find exactly what small, timely chapter or prayer to turn to, complete with dates and page numbers.
This guide goes along with my books Every Season Sacred and To Light Their Way.
Breath Prayer
As you breathe, allow these prayers to guide you into a space of comfort and peace.
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