More Than Summer

Philippians 4:8: "Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, if there is any praise.....think on these things"!

My friend and I had walked until we came to a group of mailboxes and a woman shuffling through the envelopes she had just retrieved from one of them. A small boy was sitting on the curb with both hands holding his chin and seemingly his face, from falling into the gravel below. It had not been a particularly good week for young Joey, his mother told my friend and I. She described the events that had placed the frown across her sons face after we asked why the boy was so sad. I watched him as she spoke and found myself lost in his eyes; a bright green almost the color of the newly forming buds on some of the trees trying to explode with the announcement of spring. "What could I do to cheer him up", I wondered.

Behind us were some really tall trees with branches extending out over the street providing shade for us to stand in. My mind caught the vision of what would become a permanent and pleasant memory for me. In less than an hour we had a truck, ladder and two strong and willing contenders looping the rope over one of the branches and back down to where we gathered. Joey did not say a word and the frown was intact although his eyes sparked with wonder as he watched. A short but sturdy stick was attached to the end of the rope. "Joey, will you come and try out this swing for me", I asked reaching my hand to him? "Alright", he said the frown beginning to slide from his face. "Hold on tight", I told him, and I pulled him on the swing as far as I could. I released him, the swing and the rope. With long, slow glides the boy flew through the air. Because the tree was so high, the extension of the swing would not move fast but it was a glide that surely mimicked riding on a cloud. "Yaaaahoooo"! At last the frown had completely dropped from Joey's face and he laughed and giggled for a least an hour on that swing.

We said our goodbyes and as we turned down the driveway to leave, Joey ran to me and wrapped his arms around my legs, squeezed tight and said, "Thank you lady, thank you. That swing is,.... well it is..... it is.....MORE THAN SUMMER"! The frown I first saw had been replaced with the biggest smile full of appreciation and joy beaming like the summer sun. More than summer, he said. I understood what he meant. I often think of that day and the young boy I met that one time. It reminds me to think about the good things in life, especially when I host a frown across my face from a difficult day. I think on that day when I am not feeling so joyful. It was a simple moment but to me it still fills my heart with a smile. Philippinans 4:9: "Those things which you have both learned and received and heard and seen in me, do; and the God of peace shall be with you".

It was the God of peace who moved me to make that swing. It was the God of peace who knew a young boy needed something to kiss him with a smile. Have you had such a moment when you were moved by the God of peace to do something simple for someone you do not know?

For a young boy the best day is a day in summer full of play and freedom and fun and friends, lemonade and lazy afternoons reading books and getting dirty and staying out until dark catching fireflys in a jar. I hope Joey remembers that day. What about you? Do you need something good to think about today? Close your eyes, imagine yourself six, that swing, the air on your face, gliding as if on a cloud. It's MORE THAN SUMMER! What does that thought do to the frown on your face?