I have a treat for you today. Welcome my friend Michelle Discavage to Bedrocks and Borderlands. She is here to share more May blessings as we wrap up this crazy month. Michelle is the author of “Unnamed Women of the Bible: Lessons of Value, Belonging, and Worth,” a speaker, and certified life purpose coach. She can often be found laughing, and is known to be somewhat of a pot stirrer. Michelle is on a mission to gather #brokedownhomegirls across the country to rise up and take their rightful place as God’s daughters. You can read more from her at www.SparkedLiving.net.

The questions. There are so many questions. They are hurled like heavy artillery in the heat of battle. Surely, a breath will need to be taken. Maybe exhaustion will take over. Dry mouth? Maybe the need for water will cease the never ending barrage of questions.

Summer is coming. No school, just three months of days waiting to filled with activities. The blank calendar stares at me sinisterly. It mocks me to fill in its small, white spaces. I like the routine of school life, but I also like the freedom of summer. Do I fill in the calendar, for her sanity as much as my own? Or do I allow each day to be its own adventure.
Why is summer so long anyway?
We melt on the pavement in summer’s heat. Why do we live in Texas? I question our decision every summer as the sun beats down causing us to slowly roast under its rays. There does not seem to be enough sunscreen to protect our pale skin. Even the water in the pool will fail to be refreshing. It is too hot. Too hot to move, too hot to swim, just too hot.
And the artillery of questions will not cease.
Can so and so come over? Can we go to (insert fun, overly priced adventure here)? Can I get some ice cream? What are we doing today? Do I have to practice piano? Why do I have to make my bed, it’s summer? Are we going to the pool today? Will any of my friends be there? What’s for lunch? What’s for dinner? What can I do, I’m bored?
Working at home sounded so glamorous once. My need to work will evoke an outpouring of needs and questions. At no other time of the day has she needed anything, but the moment I begin speaking with a client, or sitting down to write, everything becomes urgent. With furrowed brows and snapping fingers, I’ll point towards the door, and she’ll walk out angrily. When work is done, I will remind her of what I told her before the call began: do not come in when I am on the phone unless you are bleeding, or near death. The rules are pretty simple.
Can I blame her though? Can I blame her for wanting constant interaction? She is an only child, and the most social creature in the house. I do my best to bring friends over, to occupy her time with the things she enjoys.
I will try not to lose my temper as I have become a walking sweat stain attacked by her many questions. The wretched heat will not create a foul mood in me, not this time. I will enjoy these moments, as simple as they may be. We will splash in the pool, wipe ice cream off of our chins, and be thankful for our working air conditioner and fans. I will listen to giggles coming from her room when a friend is over, and try not to laugh when the cupcakes they tried to sell around the neighborhood melt in the heat.
This summer, I will survive! I will rejoice in these moments! My patience will be long and my joy unending! Yes, I will enjoy the blank calendar, well, right after I’ve furrowed my brow, snapped my fingers, and motioned her to exit.

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Phillipians 4:4-8, NIV)

May your sweat stains be light, and your water be refreshing. May you dip your toes in the pool with delight, and may the questions be few.