The first day of summer; are you kidding me

Scientific folk tell me today is the first day of summer, June 21, 2014.  Are you kidding me?  What the heck are you talking about?  It's been summer here at my house since early May.  Geez.  Summer indeed is here and she has been large and in charge for some time now.  Afternoon highs are already reaching 92-95 consistently and heat indices are at or near 100.  And yes, it's only June.  For us in these parts of Louisiana we still have to face the brutality that is July, August and even September.  We will not see cool temps and good feel humidity until some long desired day in October.


The first day of summer, I have learned, has more to do with light than heat.  Since this is officially the summer solstice, we are privileged to experience 14 hours of daylight today.  In fact, this is the longest "day" of the year.  I bet more of us realize that you really don't experience darkness these days until around 8:30 PM than realize it begins getting light soon after 5:30 AM.


I understand that many, even in these parts, love summer.  Most of these are folks with constant access to water.  These would not be folks who have to work in this heat, or those who have lots and lots of grass to cut, or those who, for what ever reason, have no air condition in their cars or homes.


I don't like summer; I don't hate it, just don't like it.  It's way too hot, too humid, the grass grows too fast, mosquitos come to life and so do those tropical things we call hurricanes.  But each season has it's ups and downs so all we can do is experience it and appreciate the fact that God created it.


So over at the blog, A Concord Pastor Comments, Fr. Austin Fleming has offered this summer time prayer:


It's the first day of summer, Lord...

Whatever summer holds for me,
I pray you'll walk right by my side
in good times and in hard times
- day by day by day...

Whatever summer asks of me,
I pray for strength to do it
for my family, friends and neighbors,
and especially for the poor...

Whatever I, this summer, hope
I pray I'll come to find it:
where I am, in my own life,
within my mind and heart...

Whatever change this summer brings
I pray I might accept it
with grace and trust and strength,
in peace and with your help...

Whatever wonder summer airs
I pray I'll welcome warmly:
the unexpected, simple, rare,
new gifts your hand reveals...

Whatever time this summer yields,
I pray I'll share with you
more quiet moments spent in prayer,
in peace and by your side...

Whatever joy this summer spares,
I pray I'll swim its seas and bathe
in its warm sun and find
a season of your love...