Looking Back at July and VBS

At the end of each month, I’m looking back at the things I learned, loved, and lived through. This is my look back at July.

LEARNED

I learned that opening yourself to the world means risking getting hurt, but also getting blessed. July was full of surprising blessings for me, usually in the form of free or discounted food. You know how people say, “It’s the little things that count”? Perhaps that’s what God is saying too. There were a bunch of little things He kept pouring my way that it was hard to ignore them.

Our lives are full of little blessings we forget to count because we’re too busy or too overwhelmed by everything else. If we take the time to count them, however, we will see how much God is pouring into our lives.

Let’s take a little advice from Emily P. Freeman, “Sit on a bench, count the stars, and let your soul breathe.”

LOVED

Speaking of Emily’s Simply Tuesday, you can preorder it on paperback for $7.42 on Amazon. That is an amazing low price for an amazing book. Then head over at (in)courage for a chance to win a basket of Dayspring goodies handpicked by Emily.

And here’s where I tell you that I’m part of the Simply Tuesday launch team and I received the book to read and review. And honestly, it’s a must read. If you’ve ever struggled with the hustle and bustle of life, if you’ve ever felt like there’s no time to breathe, if you’ve ever struggled with feeling small and not enough, you need Emily’s words in Simply Tuesday. I know I do.

I’ve told you about this book. When I practically hiked around my brother’s mountainous college campus, I found this one in the campus store. I can’t wait to get into it!

I bought this shirt for VBS. I had to share it with you! If you ever need a costume but want it simple enough to pull off, this is pretty genius. If you’ve got a Walmart near you, it’s cheaper there.

LIVED THROUGH

This week has been all about Vacation Bible School for me. That’s where I’m at, which is why this is my only blog post this week. Today is the last day of our VBS, and I’m exhausted, but right where I belong. You know when you are at the right place at the right time doing the right thing? That’s me right now. Which is very good. Very tired. But very good.

We had a Family VBS this year. Parents stayed and played. Hopefully, they also learned. More so, I hope we helped them step up or be more comfortable in their God-given role as spiritual leaders of their children’s lives.

Our children’s ministry is moving into family ministry, and I’m trying to remember to live in grace. The year’s more than halfway done and I don’t know if we have transitioned well. I want to track and quantify our progress, but I know the more important transition happens in the hearts of people. In my heart, the hearts of my volunteers, and the hearts of the Church. I don’t know how to track and quantify that, or if I could.

 

What I am tracking and quantifying are my summer goals to be grounded in Scripture, in writing and art, and in physical health. I’m using the First 5 App by Proverbs 31 Ministries to help me get grounded in Scripture. The first study started this week, which was so helpful because of my everyday to-do list for VBS. The study is easy to follow and understand.

I’ve fallen behind on my 15-minutes a day writing using the “642 Things to Write About” prompts and my Bible art journaling, but at least I’ve been writing and creating for VBS.

Does running around VBS count as exercise? I vote yes.

Your turn. What you have learned, loved, and lived through this month?

Linking up with Emily P. Freeman and What I’m into at Leigh Kramer.

There are affiliate links in this post, which means I get some coffee money without further cost to you if you purchase through the link. I thank thee for the coffee.