Creating a Summer Blessings List

I’m telling myself that summer is NOT over yet. Despite the back-to-school craze, I’m not ready to give up my summer season quite yet. What happened to August, folks?!

Summers fill up quickly with swim lessons, vacations, BBQs, and lazy days at the beach.  Then, in the blink of an eye, it’s over. However, there may have been those other days when you thought about ripping your hair out! The days would go by so unbelievably slow as your kids tried to convince you that they have had absolutely nothing to do.

So not true.

We didn’t write a summer bucket list, but we did decide to create a summer blessings list instead. A little tape and some paper did the trick on our humble, little pantry door.

Our little list had one goal. It was to keep track of all of the things that we had learned and experienced this summer. It included the big things, the small things, and everything in between. It was a way for us to reflect on all aspects of our summer.

You may have spent a few days at home doing the mundane tasks while the kids played outside, but things actually took place during that time. Real life stuff. Training wheels came off, forts were created, and fights ended with hugs.

I also can’t forget about the times that I witnessed spiritual growth blossom before my eyes in the hearts of my children. I can’t forget about all of the conversations that took place during long car rides and staying up late past bedtime.

I got to witness a child who chose to stand for what’s right even if it meant standing alone. I also got to observe another child confess the truth when she otherwise could have lied. All of these made it onto our list.

I don’t know if your summer schedule still has room to create a bucket list, but there’s still plenty of time to create one around summer blessings.

May your family receive fresh eyes to acknowledge, count, and celebrate the many blessings that you have encountered this summer.

Here are a few questions to ask your kids to help start writing your blessings list:

1. What are some of the ways that God had blessed you recently this summer? Be sure to mention areas of maturity and not just material things.
2. What made God worthy to be praised this summer? List all of the ways that God is good.
3. Read Psalm 103 and listen to 10,000 Reasons by Matt Redman before or after you write your list. Turn this time into a family devotion.