Golden Hours: Embracing A Sacred Pace This Summer

Written by: Hannah Rowen Fry

You are cordially invited to a sacred summer. 

But wait–before you RSVP, let me explain. 

In my culture, summer is defined by busy-fun. Busy, full of vacations, farmers markets, pool parties, and extra long walks. Fun, even though we still have work, family, and church responsibilities, they tend to be a little more relaxed in the summer.

Busy, because there are literally more hours of sunlight in each day that allow us to do more. Fun, because we don’t feel as guilty about the tasks we didn’t get done while spending time with loved ones or traveling to new places.

Busy-fun can also be very sacred. 

Sacred, set apart, holy. 

Many of us hear the phrase “sacred summer” and immediately think of slow, peaceful, and quiet. Because that is most likely what a set-apart season would look like! Our lives can be so tightly scheduled from the moment we wake up to the moment we go to bed that set apart automatically equates to slow. 

But what if sacred isn’t about the schedule? What if your summer is set-apart because of how you show up to it?

In the ride to baseball games and kids’ camps, sacred.

On the beach trip with friends, sacred. 

While you wash that Owala bottle for the billionth time, because even though you love it, it is hard to get all those little crevices clean… sacred. 

With intentionality. Play. Freedom. Joy. What else?

Our summer series is an invitation to just that–embracing a sacred pace this summer. 

The reality is that for many of us, "slow" is not necessarily the reality or the goal of a sacred summer. It might be the busiest time–but it can still be sacred, where the golden hours of each day are invitations to sweet simplicity and courageous contentment. 

Some authors will share about the ways they’re inviting you to sacred slowness, others to sacred speed. Either way, the ask is the same: relax into the arms of God. In your home, your minivan, the airplane, or wherever else you happen to be. 

Some authors will share about the ways they’re showing up this summer, with their families, in their plans, and through their commitments. You may be inspired by their ideas, choosing to adopt some of their traditions as your own! Alternatively, there may be times through the series that you are led to rest, say no, or hold firm boundaries around your time.

No matter what your pace is, may it be sacred. Show up to your summer sacred.

That’s what the invitation of those golden hours is anyway, right? That beautiful transition time when the sun is just setting–or beginning to rise–is truly sacred. Those are the moments where we are allowed to linger with the daylight that’s holding on for a few more moments.

God speaks to us there; or perhaps, we listen there. 

So step into the Golden Hours of summer with us. Over the next 9 weeks, behold those painted skyscapes as a reminder to embrace a sacred summer, a set-apart time of simplicity and contentment.

May we intentionally seek God in the midst of the busyness and the rest. 

May we recognize that every moment, even in the ballpark or the pool, is sacred. 

May we embrace these Golden Hours.