I've always enjoyed summer. The smell of sunscreen, the taste of lemonade, the sound of the bonfire crackling, the trips to the beach that leave sand in your sheets, and pure enjoyment of driving with the windows down and the music up.These are the simple things in life that make me enjoy the summer months, I'm sure that you can relate to this joyful feeling of basking in what summer is to yourself.

I don't know who you are or what you are doing with your summer, but I just want to ask you: please don't waste your summer away.

Wasting time is one of my biggest pet peeves (besides when someone leaves the toilet paper roll on empty without another full roll, but that's besides the point) and I'm sure that you have some pet peeves of your own, but let's take a moment to think about this wasting time business.

So far for myself, this summer has been a restless attempt to find a routine to get situated into, which means that I've been sort of uncomfortable. Don't hear me wrong, being uncomfortable is such a blessing sometimes because it helps me focus and depend on God. This is an important part of life.

Something important that I've been learning (as I'm sure most college students learn to get the hang of eventually) is the difference between being alone and being lonely. This is huge for me because I love being around people, having conversation... all of the time.

Summer for the typical college student is often filled with hours of working, taking classes, and trying to rejuvenate before the next school year rolls around. However, I’m urging you to not waste your summer away being slaves to time and money (and whatever else you find yourself striving for or battling against right now).

Jesus asks us to endure hardship as disciple. This is just a reminder of Him being a great Father to us. All good fathers disciple their children in order for them to learn and grow, but God also asks us to endure for his glory. He does this by providing us with the power of His Holy Spirit.

So, when those tough days are hitting you like a ton of bricks (be honest here, these days do happen!) and you're counting down the days (hours or even minutes) until the weekend rolls around, remember that your Father is fighting for you and that He is with you. He is asking us to place our troubles and worries into His hands, to let Him take care of it all because His plan is greater than ours.

One of my favorite illustrations in the bible is when Jesus sits down with the two sisters, Mary and Martha after their brother has died and He weeps with them. This shows my heart and mind that God cares and also feels so deeply for us, every single person, individually. It reminds my spirit that God is more powerful and loving than anything I can ever imagine. That His love never ends and that He feels what we feel, that He mourns when we do.

So, the next time life hits or you decide to sweep something under the rug and pretend that everything is okay, acknowledge the fact that you have the possibility for much more for your summer time. That you can be using this time to delve more into who Christ says you are. Remember that you are never alone. Remember that whatever is putting you in chains right now, whether it be loneliness, or relationships, or money, or depression, or what might have you, those things are nothing compared to what God has for you right this very moment.

In 1 Peter 5, he tells us that the enemy is like a lion prowling around waiting to devour us. The enemy knows us well! He knows the ways into my mind (and yours!) Be alert & sober minded in your decision making, a change in perspective changes a whole lot! When you have bad days, pause. Accept that fact that you do not need to waste your summer away.