How to have a faithful summer – invitations to deepen your faith

LISTEN. Devote a few minutes or more to just listening. Sit still, breathe deeply and relax your body. Listen to the street noises, the birds in the yard, voices from the other room, your heartbeat. If you are doing this activity with children or a group, share with each other what you heard, particularly what may have surprised you.

MORE LISTENING. Offer the gift of listening to another person. Choose a neighbor, parent, grandparent, friend, your child – perhaps someone who longs for and needs a safe place to be heard. Ignore the impulse to interrupt with your experience or thoughts and give this person the most precious gift of your attention and your presence. Remember how God knows our every thought, yet His desire is to receive us and listen to us when we come to him in prayer.

PRACTICE THANKFULNESS. Start a thankfulness or gratitude practice. This could be sharing gratitudes with your evening meal, filling a large jar with prayers of thanks, or keeping a gratitude journal. The jar or journal could be on your desk or kitchen counter. Invite others in your day to add to your efforts. Consider drawing your thankful moments.