Making Space for Abundance
An Invitation to Savor God's Gifts this Summer
Last weekend, my husband and I reached a new milestone when we became the parents of a college graduate! We spent a wonderful weekend on California’s Central Coast celebrating all of my daughter’s achievements over the last four years. (BS in Child Development with a minor in Theatre Arts—you go, girl!)
As I reflect on our time away, I am incredibly grateful that we chose to book our hotel a few miles from the hustle and bustle of the university, in the sleepy little town of Cambria. There, we were able to wake up to the sound of birds and the smell of redwood trees, take walks in nature away from the crowds, and enjoy a celebration dinner just yards from our waiting beds after a long, hot afternoon on campus.
I woke up early on the morning of the ceremony and sat outside with a cup of coffee and a new devotional, listening to owls hooting and mesmerized by a hummingbird that hovered just beyond the edge of the patio. (I would later appreciate just how much I needed that slow, gentle start to what would be a bit of a hectic day.)
The truth is, we didn’t stay in the fanciest accommodations. But I felt an overwhelming sense of abundance in this place—an abundance of beauty, an abundance of gratitude, an abundance of joy. And I quickly realized this abundance overflowed from the space we had set aside… space for rest (by not overbooking our schedule), space for reflection (in a beautiful place), and space for community (with family and friends).
For a few years now, our extended family has adopted the motto Get Busy Living. This weekend reminded me that embracing a full life is not about trying to pack it all in. More simply, it involves looking and listening for the promptings of the Holy Spirit, engaging in each moment, and savoring every day God gives us.
Sometimes that means pushing ourselves even when we are tired… so that we can find Him in the late night conversation, the unexpected outing, the sunrise. And other times it means slowing down… to savor the taste of good food, an extended prayer, simple silence.
Where is God inviting YOU to find abundance this summer?
I encourage you to…
Make space for hard-earned celebrations.
Make space for quiet moments in God’s creation.
Make space for impromptu coffee dates.
Make space for long leisurely meals.
Make space for adventurous road trips.
Make space for art at the kitchen table.
Make space for people you love.
Make space for time with Jesus.
I’m excited to officially announce that I’ve been getting busy writing over the last few months and will be releasing a Lent devotional for 2027! I would greatly appreciate your prayers as I continue to work through edits and prep for the book launch.
♡ If you made it this far, and enjoyed reading this article, I would appreciate it if you would click on the heart. It will let me know that you were encouraged, and it will encourage me, too!
I like the motto! And Cambria is such a beautiful place!
Taking you up on that invitation to savor God's gifts, Jen. I am so weary of feeling chained to the computer. Last night my husband and I took a long walk at twilight and were entranced by the fireflies.