It was a hot and humid summer afternoon. The rain had just stopped. I noticed there were puddles at the bottom of the driveway and ran to Dad to ask if I could play in them. With his approval, I ran in the house to put on my pink bathing suit. It had an oval patch of velvet in the middle over the tummy area. I thought it was so cool. I ran back outside to the edge of the road and began stomping my feet in the puddles splashing the water as high as I could. This is one of my earliest and fondest memories. I was three years old and had this sense of pure joy and delight.  I didn’t have a care in the world. I want to feel that way everyday. Don’t you? Carefree, is a gift from resting in God.

There is something about summer that calls out the carefree spirit in me. I desire rest but responsibilities, the to do list, family, etc all weigh on me. People are hurting and struggles abound. It is so easy to bare the burden of life around me. There is a part of me that wants to fix it all. Truth is I can’t.

However, God tells us something different. Sarah Young in her book Jesus Calling reminds me “..Relax and know that I am God with you . When you desire My will above all else, life becomes much less threatening. Stop trying to monitor My responsibilities— things that are beyond your control. Find freedom by accepting the boundaries of your domain.” The boundaries of my domain are powerful words to me. How much of life do I really have control over? Not much. That stings a little, but it’s true.

I’m choosing to embrace the boundaries of my domain however small they are. Then this scripture can become true in my heart.