Summer time is a time of sorrowful anniversaries for me. My dad’s birthday and death day are both in July. Another personal tragedy (which I don’t mean to remember, but can’t seem to help it) occurred in July also. This last day of July is the day we buried my dad. When you add it all up, it can lead to some heavy-hearted warm days of summer for me.

We are commanded to keep our minds on “whatsoever things are lovely…” in Philippians, and that’s what I strive to do every day, but especially when sadness overwhelms what would otherwise be lovely days. What better thing to concentrate on than scripture? I believe it’s no coincidence that when I read through the Bible each year, I read the first 64 chapters of Psalms in July, and the whole book in the summer. Here are some of my favorite verses from my journal this year:

Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah. But thou, O Lord, are a shield for me; my glory, and lifter up of mine head.  – Psalm 3:2-3

Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip. – Psalm 18:36

I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD. – Psalm 27:13-14

…weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. – Psalm 30:5

Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy. To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. – Psalm 31:24

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquited within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. – Psalm 43:5

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will we not fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea. – 
Psalm 46:1-2 

What a blessing God’s Word is! Water to a thirsty soul, bread to the famished, life to the dead, rest to the weary, courage to the fearful and companionship to the lonely. I thank God for His Word.

And I thank you for reading.

Many blessings to you,