Summer has a rhythm all its own. The pace slows, the light lingers, and—for many of us—there’s a gentle invitation to rest. As a parent and a pastor, I’ve come to cherish summer not just as a season, but as a spiritual practice. It’s a time of renewal, a sacred shift in tempo. It’s a chance to sleep in a little, linger over breakfast, and sip that first cup of coffee without racing out the door.

In our house, summer means running the waterslide in the backyard, impromptu get-togethers with neighbors, and watching my daughter delight in the simple pleasures of being a child. The routines of school days fall away, and what’s left is space — space for joy, space for quiet, space for grace.

Psalm 34:8 says, “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” This verse has been a quiet companion to me in recent weeks. The psalm, written in a time of hardship, reminds us that even in chaos, God offers peace. “I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears,” David writes. To “take refuge” in God isn’t only about rescue from danger—it’s about receiving the deep renewal that only divine presence can give.

This summer, I’ve tasted that goodness in fresh watermelon and grilled corn. I’ve found refuge in slow afternoons, in family time, and yes—even in smoked chicken wings cooked just because there was time to enjoy them. It was simply a gift: good food, shared with someone I love, in the quiet of a long afternoon.

So let me encourage you, even as the school year begins for many, to slow down. Invite God into your ordinary, unhurried moments. Even if your work schedule hasn’t changed. Even if the only difference is lighter clothing or more daylight — find ways to let your soul breathe.

And if you’re traveling this season, consider dropping in on a local church wherever you find yourself. You might discover unexpected hospitality, and your presence will likely bless that community as well.

Let summer be more than a change in weather. Let it be a change in spirit. Taste and see the goodness around you. Rest, rejoice, and remember: blessed are those who take refuge in God.

The Rev. Andrew McLarty is Rector at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Columbus.