What's next?

Reading of the Day 8/1/25: Proverbs 9-11

Proverbs 10:5: He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.

The past couple nights have been more chilly than the usual summer nights...it's almost like August realized the stores have had fall decor up for a while and so it needs to catch up! It's a subtle sign that seasons are changing...and so the question is, are we prepared for what's next? It's always great to enjoy the summer-the outdoors, the great weather, the vacations...but we can't just spend time enjoying the season we're in without preparing for the next one. Now don't get me wrong, I fully understand that we must embrace where we are at. We can't live in the future, or the past...and I recently learned that in one of our powerful Family Matters services at church (let me know if you'd like to join us! All services are amazing!). But in that embrace of the present, we remember the past, and learn & prepare for the future. As this Scripture says, we gather in the summer harvest. We work while we are strong. We help while we have the resources...because sunshine will fade. Cool turns to cold, and leaving the house takes a little longer because we have to bundle up. We naturally slow down. Seasons will come where we are not always as able as we once were. So are we ready? Have we gathered & prepared in order to have peace during a rough season which might come our way? The good news is, the Light of Jesus never fades. If we pray our way through those seasons, He will shine through us no matter what dark time we might be going through. But, we still must prepare. We can't let our rough seasons be the first time we try to pray & turn to His Word. We must develop that habit & relationship in the heat and passion of our summer. Our strength. That way, what comes next is not just second-nature, it's supernatural! We are blessed for the seeds we sowed in the summer. We will see things grow even in the winter, showing us that the work of the summer was worth it. We can't live off of our summer. We cannot forget the relationship once we see the fruit. We must keep planting. Keep going out in the harvest & talking about Jesus. Keep sowing seeds which will grow & mature through hard times. That way, whatever comes next will be something beautiful!

2 Timothy 4:2: "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine."