As the dawn arrives on this first morning of June, I’m contemplating all that’s transpired since the start of 2025, along with so much that I have to look forward to over the next couple of months. School is out (my daughters and grandkids are free during the week), birds are fluttering around my feeders, flowers are blooming, and the world seems to be open wide with the opportunity of good things.

For many of us, summer brings celebrations: graduations, family vacations, picnics, weddings (we have 2 this summer), birthday parties, etc. I am really looking forward to two weekends of camp (ROCK, where I get the privilege to serve this summer and witness teens encounter the living God in powerful, personal ways.)

In this season of sunshine and laughter, each of us have a unique opportunity: to be vessels of God’s love, to reflect the grace of Jesus, and to walk in step with the Holy Spirit.

It’s easy to get caught up in the busy joy of summer… planning trips, attending parties, or simply soaking up the sun. But what if we also saw this season as a divine invitation? An invitation to be present, to open our hearts, and to intentionally share God’s love in every conversation, every gathering, every moment around a campfire or birthday cake.

Let’s carry the spirit of Romans 15:13 into our summer. “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

May we overflow with hope, not just for ourselves, but for our families, our communities, and the next generation. Whether we’re cheering on our grandkids, mentoring teens at camp, or simply sitting with a friend over coffee, we can be agents of joy, peace, and grace.