A Theology of Summer

delighting in God’s goodness

Welcome to Walk & Talk, my monthly newsletter to share stories, inspiration, and hope. I’m Kim Knowle-Zeller, mama, pastor, and writer. I’ve lived in West Africa and one summer hiked 500 miles across Spain, and now I call Cole Camp, MO home with my husband, two children, and dog. I love to walk, talk, and share stories. Thanks for being here!

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Every morning, I take a cup of hot coffee, books, and my journal to the front porch. My eyes rest on multicolored flowers and the dance of the hummingbirds. The birds sing greeting the morning and I give thanks that in the newness of the rising sun, God’s mercies cover me once again.

Walking the kids to summer school I watch their bodies holding backpacks and questions of what they’ll do and who they’ll see. We pray for friends who need comfort. We give thanks for teachers who love and infuse creativity in the day. We all walk in faith trusting that wherever our days take us, we’re not alone.

The garden needs daily water, but before I grab the hose I assess what happened over night. Some mornings I find plants eaten, and other days I see a new flower. The garden teaches me to trust the unseen work that happens beneath the surface. Gardening is an act of hope, the living out of death and resurrection.

Afternoons at the pool, the kids delight in jumping and splashing. We meet friends and make new ones. We look out for one another. With every drop of water I remember God’s promises at baptism: You have been sealed with the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever.

Morning, afternoon, and night texts ping on my phone. How are you? This is hard. Want to meet at the park? Has this happened to you before? The kids are melting down…again. We’re praying for you. In the words of our friends, I feel God’s presence and the gift of community, a treasure that we’re not alone in raising our children.

These are just a few of the glimpses of our summer, a few ways I’m experiencing God’s goodness throughout my days — a theology of summer if you will.

A theology of summer invites us to see the growth around us. It sings of the goodness found in community and vulnerability. It’s trusting that God is always in the business of bringing forth the unseen to fruition. It’s a theology that says:

Come, dance in the light.
Come, look at the colors of the pansies.
Come, drench yourselves in water.
Come, sip glasses of lemonade.
Come, feel the sand beneath your toes.
Come, take and eat.
Come, marvel at each miraculous leaf.

This summer, delight in God’s delight of all creation, especially YOU. See where God is calling you to grow and strengthen your roots. Rest in your name above all names: Beloved Child of God.

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My Favorite Things

”Nothing makes sense and everything makes sense, and as I have been doing for nearly two decades of my life, I will try my best to share with you what I am discovering of God, that you might peer into the darkest corners of your own life and wonder something of the same.” My friend Laura shares about grief, loss, cancer, and where to find God.

Do you love to write snail mail letters? More Love Letters is a great place to share love and presence with those around the world and in your own communities.

I love this practical way for Finding Your Summer Faith Flow by Meredith Miller.

My life feels challenging, at moments more than challenging—for so many reasons right now, and it always will. But so does yours. And your next door neighbor’s. And the barista who handed you a latte this morning. And the person driving the car in front of you. We are all managing many, many, many levels of complexity. And I don’t know, but the older I get, the more I think that the most dangerous thing in the world might be forgetting that.

What I’m Reading:

• The Lonely Hearts Book Club by Lucy Gilmore was our book club pic this month and it’s a true delight! A story about community and friendship and how stories bring us together.

• Beyond That, The Sea by Laura Spence-Ash tells the story of one girl finding family and home during WWII when she’s sent to live in America to stay safe. This story chronicles her life and what it means to be a family.

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When you Visit a Mama With a New Baby //

Tell her she looks beautiful
her baby is the sweetest
oh, look at those toes
look at all his hair
and those fingers
I see you in the baby
she has your eyes
and his nose
and big sister’s cheeks
what a gift
motherhood looks good on you
you’re doing great.

When you visit a mama with a new baby
Ask her how do you feel?
Are you getting any rest?
What hurts?
Is the baby eating well?
Are you eating?
How is the dog adjusting?
And the other siblings?
Can I help with the laundry?
Let me pick up the kids after school.

Scratch all that
when you visit a mama with a new baby
look her in the eyes
place the food on the counter
and say: Take and Eat.

**But also The Beauty of Motherhood: Grace-Filled Devotions for the Early Years makes a great gift for a mama with a new baby!

**P.S. If you’ve read The Beauty of Motherhood, would you leave a review on Amazon? They help others learn about our book!

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So grateful for you, friend! I’ll be back in your inboxes the first Wednesday in July!