“To everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.”
—Ecclesiastes 3:1

We are midsummer. The sun is high, the songbirds sing, and the calendar is about to say goodbye to July. The garden tomatoes aren’t quite ready, and school supply lists are set aside a little long, but still—there’s a whisper of transition in the air.

Since finishing my spring seminary course in early July, I’ve found myself reflecting on how swiftly the seasons of life keep changing.

These are the middle years for our family: six children, ages six to fifteen, heading into grades two through ten this fall. My husband and I are in the middle, too—ages 41 and 43—and I’ll reach the halfway mark in my part-time master’s journey next year.

There are no grand finish lines in sight, but there is fruit—good fruit.

Our oldest child experienced her first year at school, after homeschooling all her life, and her first part-time job practically fell into her lap this summer.

Next in line, our oldest son, takes on lawn care and sound tech jobs, and creates and innovates nonstop, currently with mini computers and AI. He received certificates for excellence in science and art at our homeschool enrichment program in June.

Our middle girls have an emerging neighbourhood Paw business, walking dogs, and they both received certificates for excellence in drama and a special award for demonstrating Christian character this last year at their enrichment program!

Finally, our not-so-little “little boys” are living their best lives—swimming in the backyard pool, flying kites, and jumping the summer away on the trampoline.

Each child is taking ownership of their lives and blossoming in unique ways.

The little ones I birthed, nursed, rocked, bathed, and dressed are caring for animals, learning life-saving skills, and handing out chicken sandwiches!

I am so thankful they're all under our wings a little longer, though they can get surprisingly far on their bikes.

My husband reminded me over the last 15 years that my job as a home manager is to work myself out of a job, and mostly, I have. The kids all help out around the home.

Though folding and sorting warm clothes from the dryer as I finish a podcast is still under my domain as I find it especially satisfying and grounding! (I wrote about my laundry system five years ago here, and it is still pretty similar, but now I run the wash six days a week!!!)

In these slower, sun-soaked weeks, before we head out on a longer trip, I’ve been reflecting on nourishment.

Nourishing the relationships around me, tending to our little vegetable garden and flowers, and caring for my body, mind and soul, so I can pour out from a full well when the responsibilities of fall commence.

This brings me back to the ancient practice of crafting and practicing a Rule of Life.

I’ve written about this sacred, monastic structure here. These rhythms shape a life, like a trellis, in intentional direction towards God.

A few months ago, I was reflecting on the book Ministry in the Image of God for a seminary paper, and I was struck by the divine flow between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

How do I enter into this trinitarian dance and prepare to stay in step in the next season of life and ministry?

Here are five areas I’m reflecting on in this midsummer pause, with Scripture, soulful reflection, and gentle action steps.

I invite you to do the same!

1. Time (Spiritual)

“Be still, and know that I am God.” —Psalm 46:10

In midlife, I see more than ever the value of my time, and I also realize it isn’t something to manage as efficiently as possible.

Time is a gift we give back to God.

In the way we tell our money where to go in a budget, we show our priorities and values through our schedule and time investments.

These summer days are reminding me of the beauty of having more margin in my schedule, like a savings account with money, so I am available to pivot with a crisis or respond to the Holy Spirit’s invitation for something unique.

Our family Sabbath practice remains a vital rhythm to counter efficiency and busyness as we focus on our great God!

The details of this practice shift with the seasons, but for now it looks like gathering in the morning with our church community to worship and serve, resting in the afternoon by reading or even napping, and then fellowshipping and activity time in the later afternoon and evening, often with a hike or game and some kind of picnic, feast, or treat that reminds us of God's goodness.

The Sabbath practice reminds me I am not what I produce.

I work from rest, not for it. You can read more on Sabbath here!

Midsummer Prompt: Where is God meeting me in this quieter season? How might I refresh my Sabbath practice this summer or prepare for more margin in my schedule to respond to the Holy Spirit’s promptings next season?

Action Step: Try a 6-hour "mini Sabbath" this week: rest, reflect, worship, delight. Turn off your phone the entire time!

2. Trust (Relational)

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” —Proverbs 3:5

The second aspect to reflect on is in the area of trust (relational).

Relationships are at the heart of our experiences on earth and bring with them times of incredible joy and pain.

I love being in this middle season where I can add and try new things, like working on a master’s degree and using my teaching degree by being a homeschooling facilitator for a small number of families.

I also realize these middle years with my children are fleeting.

Soon there will be car keys, graduations, and maybe even wedding invitations.

I want to savour this beautiful season while holding it all loosely, knowing none of it is mine to control.

God is writing and guiding each of my children’s stories.

The same goes for the different heartaches and celebrations I’ve shared with so many others I am connected.

I continually must realign my trust in God, the one who is holding it all together.

Midsummer Prompt: What relationships are shifting? Which ones is God inviting me to trust him in more deeply?

Action Step: Ask the Holy Spirit to direct you to whom to reach out to this week with no agenda but to love, listen, and be present.

3. Temple (Physical)

“Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit… honor God with your bodies.” —1 Corinthians 6:19–20

The third area to consider is our temple (physical).

Middle age invites me to tend to my body with gentleness and strength.

I’m aiming for a balanced approach that includes strength training, daily walks in the sun, protein-rich foods that nourish, and supplements that support my health.

While muffin tops seem inevitable in midlife, I am working on a positive mindset about the amazing body God created for me to reside in, and I am trying to be proactive to combat the potential struggles that may come with perimenopause.

On one of our Sabbath evenings recently, we finished a hike in the country and stopped at a park with different log and rock features.

For a time, I watched my children and husband climbing, jumping and enjoying their time together before I found my stride jumping from rocks and balancing along the logs.

We started an invigorating tag game that had all of our hearts pumping and made a beautiful family memory as the evening sun glistened.

I trusted my body because I knew my knees and quads were strong enough from morning strength training sessions to figure out how to jump and balance—maybe not as well as my kids—but I sure felt like a wild and free kid again!

Midsummer Prompt: What physical habits are helping me flourish right now? What areas need adjusting as I prepare for the next season?

Action Step: Choose one physical rhythm to commit to this week: a daily walk, high-protein meals, or a hydration goal.

4. Treasure (Financial)

“Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” —Matthew 6:21

Treasure (financial) is the fourth area to reflect on in this midsummer pause.

Time has flown, and we have been so blessed as a couple to have worked together for seventeen years to give generously, invest/save wisely, and spend intentionally.

All we have belongs to God. He has provided far beyond our needs, and it is a privilege to invest in Kingdom purposes.

As we prepare for the seasons ahead—launching children into vehicles, post-secondary, marriages, and their establishments—we continue to seek God on how to teach our children to make Kingdom-minded financial decisions.

Another Amazon purchase is just a click away, but it will not satisfy. There will always be something else to buy or try.

The freedom of living in financial peace, debt-free, and prepared for seasons to come is counter-cultural in a society that goes more into debt year after year.

But there is another way, and many people have chosen to “live like no one else, so they can live and give like no one else” (Dave Ramsey).

Midsummer Prompt: What financial habits are serving God’s purposes in my life? What needs review?

Action Step: Do a mid-year check-in. Look at giving, saving, and spending. Ask God if there are any areas He wants you to adjust.

Maybe it is time to dream with God (and your spouse if you have one) so that you can walk into the next season with a Kingdom-focused financial plan.

If telling your money where to go is new to you, consider getting started on these “seven baby steps.”

5. Talent (Missional)

“Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” —1 Corinthians 10:31

The final area to consider is your talent (missional)!

In this slower summer season, I realize my days could quickly pass with household and family tasks—cleaning, cooking, folding, weeding, organizing, driving…

And while the ordinary things of life are holy, sacred, and an expression of who God has created me to be, I have found that making space for writing, reading, worship leading, and pouring into others brings a sense of purpose and mission.

I almost took this blog offline a few weeks ago when it was coming up for its yearly renewal. With the rise of AI content and the limited time I have to put into this space it felt reasonable.

But then a new wave of inspiration came as I prayed, listened to others close to me and in culture, and I realized that more than ever, we need human voices to tell their stories of God at work in their hearts.

Technology will change some of the methods, but I am committed to figuring out what it means to continue to share words of hope in each new season.

I pray you are also on a mission to use your passions and giftings to share God’s light in your unique way!

Midsummer Prompt: When do I feel most alive? Where can I serve with joy and purpose?

Action Step: Set aside a block of time to pray for direction on how to connect your passions with something missional this week!

The Midsummer Invitation

As I said earlier, I am in the middle of a lot of areas of life.

Midsummer is a place for deep growth, yes, in our gardens, but it also provides space for growth in our hearts.

There’s time yet to recalibrate and walk into the rest of 2025 realigned with God’s purposes and presence.

My husband and I were recently meeting with a Christian ministry who coaches businesses towards Kingdom purposes, they shared these metrics to use in reflect on similar areas of life:

Righteousness

Peace &

Joy!

Reflect and pray through each section of this mini-reset, shaping or revising your own Rule of Life, as God’s righteousness, peace, and joy guide and nourish your soul.

May these middle years bring God glory!