Those Summer Days

As the warm summer days are becoming more common, so too are those familiar weekend sounds. Like the quintessential mid-Sunday morning whirring of the lawnmower, whose proud efforts serve as the curtain-raiser for a neighbourhood choir of discordant lawnmowers. Each is joining the chorus with intermittent enthusiasm in a reverberant broadcast heard across the suburb. Of course, there are other more heartwarming summer sounds. Like the raspy twang of BBQs being dusted off and the clanging gong of replacement gas bottles being swapped out. All of which act as the rowdy prelude to the more subdued reflective crackling of the hot grill – bringing a welcoming vibe to a sun-kissed meal. These may well be familiar sounds to some of us. While, for others, there are a number of homely type sounds, sights and smells that make for great summer days and memories. 

Often when I think about the brilliance of a summer experience, what comes to mind first are those togetherness moments. These are those moments where family and friends are found united around something fun: celebrations, food, sport or enjoying the outdoors. For me, this way of musing generally gives way to a deep sense of gratitude and peace, and more recently a realisation that these types of moments are the best part of what was normal.

I don’t know about you, but for much of the last few months, I have caught myself using the word ‘normal’ as a paraphrase for my lament and wishing for a return to everyday routines. Now, as time has gone on, I realise the routine things are what I actually miss. That is, those run-of-the-mill everyday things, much of which I took for granted at the time. Now, it could be that my heart senses I’ve lived long enough in the coolness of this new uncharted space and what it really wants is to go back to the warmth of what was well known.

There is probably not just one way of describing the challenges we have all faced during our appointed time in Australia’s story. In the midst of the ‘lockdowns’ and the ‘opening ups,’ many of us may have leaned in and prayed for God to help guide us through the toughest part of the journey. The Bible encourages us with many stories and examples of people who have prayed for their circumstances, asking God to return them to a preferred form of normal. Time and time again, we read that God hears their prayers and leads them through to an even better place. The Bible tells us of King David, who many times prayed in faith that God would change his circumstance. In truth, we can see that David was met by many challenges over the course of his life, and he overcame them through answered prayer. Writing on how God answered his prayers, David said this, 

“Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does. The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” (Psalm 145:13-18)

We are always on a solid footing when we know God is all about answering the calls of his people. This is a theme in David’s story that continues to be true for believer after believer, and generation by generation it is the same. If history can encourage us of anything, it is that God is faithful to those who call out to him. If you have prayed, and many have, for God’s leading and providence during this season, the Bible testifies, and the lived stories of Christians around the world also confirm, that you can rest assured 'at the proper time’ the answer will arrive in full

So, while enjoying summer may mean a different thing to each of us, I would suggest it is with a shared hope in the promises of God that we can each look forward to having more Lake Macquarie summer days and a return to those revered everyday moments. In the meantime, as we each wait for this to be a reality, it is my prayer for you that you will experience a return to normal that is even better than you have remembered.

Mr Gary Marsters

Assistant Head of Secondary