Sound of Summer

Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. Prov 6:6-8 NIV

What sounds define summer for you? Those who have camped outdoors would probably rate the chirping of crickets both comforting and irritating. Summer means the buzzing of cicadas, the obnoxious croaking of frogs, the forlorn hooting of the screech owl, and a myriad of other midnight sounds.

Fifty summers ago, a simple, repetitive two-note motif played on a tuba created a heart-stopping, suspenseful drama that caused thousands to jump out of their seats and cancel their beach holidays. These two little notes changed summer vacations after watching the movie, Jaws. John Williams, the composer of the 2-note ostinato, described the music as “grinding away at you, just as a shark would do, instinctual, relentless, unstoppable.”  June 20 marked the 50^th anniversary of the movie Jaws, and even if you have never seen the film, you have most likely been gripped by the soundtrack.

There is something special about the sounds of summer. Granted, each season brings a melody of unique sounds, but the summer sounds remind us of the fullness of God’s creation. Last Friday marked the official beginning of summer—the end of school bells, early morning alarm clocks, and quiet walks on the beach. We gladly welcome this new set of sounds and grab the summer rhythm, because, as John Goodman writes, “How quickly time goes by now, compared to when you were a kid. Summer used to last forever. Now it is twelve weeks.”

We welcome the summer sounds of children’s laughter echoing across the backyard fence as they recapture memories of a simpler time. Do you remember the summer excitement when life seemed simpler, less hectic? Summer is a great time to turn off the TV, forget about social media, and enjoy the beautiful outdoors. When was the last time you took a rock and skipped it across the water, counting the number of skips from your throw? Instead of the well-laid-out vacation itinerary, you might try a road trip in your car. However, set your GPS to avoid interstates. Connie and I did that a few years ago, and it is amazing what you see along American highways and through small towns. You do need to factor in lots of stops to enjoy those unique, unknown museums; it will be worth it.

We welcome the summer sounds of lawn mowers as they help remind us of God’s creation. Yes, I know the sounds can be annoying when trying to catch an afternoon nap on the porch, but that’s another story. I don’t know about you, but there is something deeply satisfying within my soul after a morning working in the yard, realizing that I am partnering with God in maintaining His creation. “To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.” (Audrey Hepburn) “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” (Gen 1:26 KJV)

We welcome the summer sounds of thunderstorms as they awaken our senses to the immense power of God. Summer brings unexpected afternoon storms with the sudden darkening of the sky, the rumble of thunder, and the repeated lightning strikes. The devastation of storms often leaves behind communities struggling to cope, individuals whose lives have been upended, and neighborhoods demolished. Yet in the aftermath of these summer storms, there is the calm assurance that God is still in control. Even after the summer storms of life, the Psalmist wrote in Psalm 46: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.” (vvs 1-5 NIV)

We welcome the evening refrain of summer night sounds as they wrap us in a cozy hug of comfort. John Steinbeck wrote, “What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness?” Solomon wrote similarly in Song of Songs, “See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land.” (Song of Songs 2:11-12)

Lord, I am forever thankful for the life lessons you give through the simple acts of nature and life. The changing seasons equip us for the challenges that life will bring.

You give us the springtime to teach us the importance of preparation. Sowing the seeds of faith which will be needed in the years ahead. Though we can’t see anything happening, the seeds are sprouting roots that will anchor us when the winds of adversity blow.

You give us summer to watch the seeds break through the hard soil, begin to grow, and bear the fruit from our labor. We know we will face unexpected storms that will blow hard against us, but the plants of faith, prayer, and trust will provide the roots to hold us against the unrelenting storms of life.

You give us autumn as a time of gathering in our harvest and times to celebrate and worship You. We can open the barn doors of our souls and see the abundance of what You have provided.

Finally, winter will come when we must learn to stop our labor and rest in your care. There is no more time for planting or harvesting by us, but the fields have been left ready for the next generation. We can now look forward with excitement and expectation of what will come.

That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers. Psalm 1:3 NIV

God is great!