Rest

The Myth of the Perfect Summer: Letting Go of Expectations

Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
— Matthew 11:28

When summer rolls around, I always imagine long, slow mornings with coffee in hand, kids playing happily in the yard, and unhurried evenings under twinkle lights. But by the second week of June, I’m usually staring down a packed calendar, sticky floors, and a to-do list that didn’t take a summer vacation.

Somewhere along the way, we bought into the idea that summer should be magical, memorable, and perfectly curated. Whether it’s Pinterest-worthy vacations, a house full of fun (but exhausting) activities, or trying to be everything to everyone—our expectations can weigh us down.

But Jesus doesn’t invite us into a “perfect” summer. He invites us into rest. Into stillness. Into His presence—right in the middle of messy living rooms and noisy pool days.

What if this summer, we laid down the pressure to make it perfect and chose to make it peaceful instead?

What if the most beautiful moments weren’t the ones we planned, but the ones we paused for?

The gentle breeze on a hot afternoon. A spontaneous dance party in the kitchen. A quiet moment in the Word before anyone else wakes up. These aren’t interruptions—they’re invitations.

So friend, if you’re already feeling the weight of summer expectations, take a deep breath. Jesus isn’t asking you to impress Him—He’s inviting you to rest in Him.

Slow-Down Spiritual Practice: The “One Thing” Prayer

Each morning this week, ask God: “What’s one thing I need to let go of today? And what’s one thing You’re inviting me to receive?”

Write it down. Let go of the burden. Receive the grace. Sometimes slowing down starts with surrendering just one thing.

Finding Peace When Life Doesn’t Slow Down

Finding Peace When Life Doesn’t Slow Down

Because sometimes the pace won’t change, but your heart can.

If your calendar looks anything like mine right now, it feels like May-cember. School is wrapping up. Sports are in full swing. Work is busy. Family life is non-stop. And honestly? Slowing down isn’t always an option.

But here’s what I’m learning in this season: Peace doesn’t always come from a lighter schedule. Sometimes, peace is found right in the middle of the hustle — when our hearts pause even if our calendars can’t.

Finding Peace in a Fast-Paced World

Finding Peace in a Fast-Paced World

Life moves fast, doesn’t it? One minute you’re juggling work, family, friendships, and responsibilities, and the next thing you know, you’re running on empty, wondering where the peace went. I get it. I’ve been caught up in that same whirlwind, chasing after the idea of “balance,” trying to slow things down, thinking that if I could just get my schedule under control, I’d finally feel content. But here’s the truth: it’s not about how much we slow down. It’s about finding a different kind of rhythm—a pace of grace.