A Beautiful August
Finding joy in the small stuff...
Into The Blue is about finding joy in simple pleasures. One of those pleasures is lovely weather.
Sometimes your world is a dumpster fire. Sometimes your country is a dumpster fire. Sometimes your family is a dumpster fire. Sometimes your own life is a dumpster fire. Sometimes, all of these things are dumpster fires all at once.
In times like these, you feel awash in uncertainty, doubt, fear, anxiety, and grief. Yes, there is so much over which to grieve. Yet, each new day brings so many fresh horrors there is no time to grieve over yesterday’s. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
In times like these, joy is life. Joy is a rebellion. Joy is an anchor, a reminder that all is not lost, that this too shall pass. Joy is hope.
But where do you find such joy in a time of despair? Look to the elemental things, the gentle breeze on your face, a delicious taste of bread and wine, the laugh of a baby. Here you will find perspective, here you will find gratitude, here you will find joy.
It is in that spirit that I want to memorialize something precious before I forget it in the rush of time and trouble. I want to express my sheer and utter delight in the month of August just now past. Specifically, in the weather of August, continuing even now in these first days of September. Very specifically, the weather in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States this August.
Now, if there is an iron clad rule, it is that August in Maryland is hot and relentlessly humid. With each passing year, it seems ever more tropical, with thunderstorms passing through each afternoon. You cannot escape this heat. It sticks to you. (Okay, maybe I’m exaggerating some – I once spent time in Panama, and it made Maryland’s weather seem like paradise. But you get the idea.)
But, by some unexplainable miracle, the greater part of this August was sunny and mild with low humidity. We’re talking in the 70’s (low to mid-20’s Celsius) in the afternoon and an unbelievably refreshing 50’s (12ish C) in the dark hours. Wonderful clear skies, trees swaying in the breeze, birds singing in the branches. How unbelievably refreshing, for mind, body, and spirit.
I do believe this was the most glorious August I have ever known. I’ve been outside constantly to soak it in. I’ve done some amazing hikes and spent so much pleasant time out in nature, morning after morning, day after day.
At home, I’ve had the windows open and no air conditioner on for weeks. The refreshing outside air fills up my whole house. It’s almost like I’m living out in nature even inside. In August! That is simply not possible.
So, in this time of troubles, I want to stop for a moment and express my deep, deep gratitude for August. It was a source of great joy. It was grace, abundant and overflowing.
I learned so much from August. I learned that joy is always there if you look for it. I learned that all is not lost. That darkness will not have the last word. That God is still in control. And most of all, that he loves me. That is all I need.
Thank you, August.
A Short Meditation
This is the day that the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Today is the day of salvation! Jesus has become the capstone. He has overcome the world.
In him, darkness has no claim on us. We are free — free to revel in the joys of today in the certain knowledge that God already has tomorrow handled.
And yes, tomorrow, we can get up and rejoice all over again.
“Joy is a rebellion.” I will carry that with me.
Here is another one I hold, from even darker circumstances: “Bury your dead in the morning; fight in the afternoon; dance at night.”