What was your favorite summer memory?
Scrolling through my pictures of this summer, it was tempting for me to pick some trip or major adventure or event. However, when I thought through this year and the times I appreciate the most, my favorite memories aren't the picture-perfect ones.
My favorite thing this summer was all the time I got to spend with friends, both old and new. The spontaneous Star Wars marathon, the church lunches, the youth camp, the friends who came to visit us, the games we learned, the homemade food we shared at each others' houses... those things warm my heart more than the fancy trips we took.
For most of us, the past year and a half has been characterized by isolation and spending a lot of time alone. And while I happily claim to be an introvert, I didn't realize how much being alone for long periods of time hurt me. It crushed my motivation, made it easy for me to compare myself to people online, discouraged me from being thankful.
God blesses us in so many ways, big and small, but one of His biggest blessings to me has been a community. While, as a bit of a workaholic, spending an evening playing poker may have seemed like a waste of good writing time, it built me up. Building relationships, not going through life alone, is so important. I've talked about this many times, but I'll say it again: God created us for a community. So grab a friend, go somewhere together, or stay in and play some games. Celebrate the little things, because in the long run, people matter more than the picture-perfect plans.
I hope that you had some great adventures, whether far or close to home, this summer. I'd love to hear what the highlight was for you!