“You will show me the way of life,
granting me the joy of your presence
and the pleasures of living with you forever.”
Psalm 16:11 NLT
The start of summer has a way of stirring something in us. Longer days, warm light, the scent of sunscreen and freshly cut grass — it all whispers of possibility. Of slowing down. Of something new.
And yet, joy doesn’t always arrive with the season. The calendar may say summer, but our souls might still feel stuck in winter. Disappointment lingers. Pressures press in. The noise of life doesn’t take a vacation.
So how do we receive the joy God promises when our circumstances don’t instantly shift?
Psalm 16:11 reminds us that joy isn’t found in everything going right — it’s found in God’s presence. He shows us the way of life when we walk with Him, not just in our big decisions but in our daily thoughts, words, and ways.
When we pause to acknowledge Jesus in the everyday — giving thanks while folding laundry, choosing kindness in a tense moment, inviting Him into our worries — we make space to experience His joy. Not surface-level happiness, but soul-deep gladness that grows as we trust Him.
So as summer begins, may we not just chase relaxation or fun or escape. Let’s seek the One who offers lasting joy. He is near. He is faithful. And even in hard seasons, His presence is our peace.
Thank you for this post!
It’s simply perfect; an excellent reminder of where our focus & thoughts need to be (yet for our OWN sake!!)
Blessings
Amen to God meeting us in the mundane with wonder!
Sending everyone Summer Joy,
Lisa Wilt
We most of can’t wait for the Summer time. In the winter we long for the long evenings and in the winter time we most of us think of were we going to on Holiday. To rest from work if you work get away from the House work cooking meal get spoilt by going out for tea. We most of us crave to do this things. We think they will bring us happiness but it is only a happiness that is temporary. To joy to our souls in Jesus that last as nice as theses things are. Like the kids song that is good for us all “I got the joy joy joy of the Lord in my heart were down in my heart to stay” What a wonderful joy that is how true that kids song is. So let our souls crave that wonderful joy Jesus gives us. Love today’s reading Love Dawn Ferguson-Little xx
In Courage,
True happiness comes from knowing & spending time with Jesus. Reveling in ALL His blessings. I broke my right wrist 2 weeks ago so not much fun this summer. I’m sitting here smiling & enjoying a beautiful sunset. Joy has hit me. I get more time to spend with Jesus.
Blessings 🙂
Beth I feel for you having broke your wrist deer love you my heart go out to you. It is difficult to do things when part of your body out of action. I a few years ago broke my ankle boy it was hard to walk. I had to use a zimmer frame to get about because I couldn’t used the crutches no matter how hard I tried. I will keep you in prayer. You like me and others that have broken bones don’t appreciate them until something like this happens and we don’t have them as they are in the healing process until they get better. I found the same as you more time spent with Jesus brought me joy too. No focusing on what I had broke as I kept saying why me. Love Dawn Ferguson-Little God bless xx