What If I Only Have 30 Summers Left To Enjoy?

Do you take the time to enjoy what’s right in front of you? How can you be intentional about numbering your days with wisdom?

So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 90:12

Only thirty summers.

Doesn’t seem like many, does it?

Now, clearly, this is merely a calculated guess. And it depends on if the Lord tarries or doesn’t call me home before then.

But really, it’s reasonable to anticipate I’m only looking at maybe 30 summers here.

And somehow this realization changes nothing . . . and yet everything.

Because suddenly I feel that urgency to drink it all in—the sunshine, the long days, the starry nights, and, most of all, the time with the people I love.

You can almost feel it, can’t you? That urgency? Me too.

What Drinking in the Days Can Look Like

So, with that in mind, here’s what this summer looks like for me.

It looks like getting up oh-so-early to catch the sunrise. It means long Facetime calls with my two-month-old grandson, who lives across the country. We “talk” for half an hour or more almost every day and these moments are the highlight of my day. I stop, put aside those many morning chores, and smile, coo, and make silly noises until his mama says it’s time for his nap.

When possible, after lunch, I step outside, feel the warm sunshine on my skin, and sink my toes in the grass. No phone. Not even a book. Just me and the mountains and the summer breeze. The funny thing is this used to be my “dipping time” when I’d fix a tea or an iced coffee and maybe scroll a bit on social media, but now I find that these sweet 20 minutes of nothingness are the best pick-me-up I could’ve ordered.

It can also mean dancing with my husband after dinner. We recently started ballroom dancing lessons, so we practice our foxtrot while weaving around the furniture in our living room. The dog barks, our special needs daughter stares, not sure what to make of us, and we all laugh.

The evening ends much like how the day started, with us watching the sunset. Except I’m not alone. My husband and 18-year-old son come outside, and we sit together, discussing the day.

So this summer looks a lot like slowing down—enjoying beauty and nature and loving on my people.

Finding Joy in the Midst of Many Responsibilities

At this point, you might be saying, ‘Great, apparently this lady doesn’t have nearly the stresses and responsibilities that I have.’

No, I hear that. And it’s true; I haven’t listed out the many things that weigh on my heart and what it takes to be a mother to eight children or care for our sweet daughter in a wheelchair. To be a pastor’s wife as well as a writer when I can squeeze it in. Host of a guesthouse and grandparent to (nearly) two. But I’m learning to find joy in the midst of these responsibilities, and I believe you can too.

So what’s the difference? You ask. The difference comes down to perspective and priorities.

As busy women with so much on our plates, we can get tangled up in everything to do when each day has its many demands, yes, but also so many joys to be had.

Don’t miss out on what’s important – maybe not urgent, but important.

This could be spending quality time with your children, pursuing a hobby that brings you joy, or simply taking a moment to appreciate the beauty of nature. Decide you’ll make the most of these precious days ahead by prioritizing these things.

Love on your people.

Take joy in the little moments.

Enjoy God’s presence.

And take pleasure in His goodness all around you.

In His Word

So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. ~ Psalm 90:12

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: ~ Ecclesiastes 3:1

Pray for the grace to embrace each moment fully, making the most of the time you have with loved ones and appreciating the beauty around you.

In Your Life

As we go into this season, consider what would delight you and how you’d spend it if you knew there were only a limited number of such summers ahead. Who would you be with? And what kinds of things would you do?

Do you already have so much packed in that you can’t take a few minutes to breathe in the summer air? To listen to the Lord? To soak in the goodness and let your soul heal?

If so, you may want to change some of your plans and switch priorities so that you truly, wonderfully, make the most of the summer ahead.

We Recommend

One of my top reads from 2023 was Living Life Backward: How Ecclesiastes Teaches Us to Live in Light of the End by David Gibson. And please don’t get the wrong impression from the title; it is not depressing—quite the opposite. It is a hugely impactful book and one I intend to reread in the years to come. Such a slim volume, with such a gentle voice delivering a powerful message.

Let’s Connect

You can hear more from Lisa on growing in faith and enjoying an everyday, joy-filled life here. You can also connect with Lisa on Instagram for biblical encouragement!