The Dog Days of Summer

How’s the heat in your neck of the woods? Here in Texas it got up to 107 yesterday and we can expect more of the same today. We are definitely in the midst of the Dog Days of Summer. It’s during this time of they year that the heat seems to wear us down and make us perhaps slightly irritable (okay more than slightly – we can become down right mean). I want to encourage you to be sure to stay well-hydrated during this time, and I mean hydrated physically as well as spiritually.

Please make sure you are getting plenty of water every day to help you survive the heat. Let’s also make sure we are getting plenty of Living Water as well. By that I mean let’s spend some time daily in God’s word and prayer. As we abide in the Lord, the Bible tells us we will bear much fruit. Just as the summer foliage begins to wilt when it doesn’t have water, we also tend to wilt or become short-tempered without the help of God’s Holy Spirit.

The fruit of God’s spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Now when I’m hot and tired, those qualities are not my natural tendency – how about you? But they are God’s natural tendency and we can ask Him to help us. The apostle Paul said “clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Not only are we to seek God’s help in having these qualities, but we must also intentionally pursue them.

Today, let’s deliberately choose to clothe ourselves with kindness, and let’s encourage our kids to do the same. What does kindness look like? Sharing a smile with someone who needs it. Bringing water to someone who is thirsty. Listening to another person. Offering a word of encouragement. Holding the door open for others. Writing a kind note to a family member. Asking the question, “How can I help you?”

As we act kindly toward others, looking to God for the ability and strength, our souls are refreshed. May God pour his kindness through us to help others. Our kindness can be a cup of cold water to bring joy to a thirsty soul this summer.