Welcome to the dog days of summer—the stretch of sweltering heat that leaves many of us feeling drained, irritable, and spiritually sluggish. Traditionally, this season marks not only the hottest weeks of the year but also a time of stagnation, when even simple tasks feel heavy. I’ll be honest: these temperatures do not bring out my best mood. Once, I could work construction in any weather. Now, as a post‑menopausal woman capable of generating my own internal furnace, one blast of that hot parking‑lot wind can snatch my joy in an instant.
And that’s the truth for many of us. Joy slips away for countless reasons. Physical or emotional pain interrupts it. HALT—being hungry, angry, lonely, or tired—blocks it. Sometimes the behavior of others interferes with it. In these dog‑day moments, when our mood doesn’t match the joy we want to show, we may wonder how to reconnect with God’s strength.
Scripture reminds us that joyful service is not something we manufacture. Nehemiah told the newly returned exiles, “Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Peter wrote to scattered believers that even in trials, God gives “a joy that words cannot express.” This joy is not self‑made; it is a gift from the risen Christ through the Holy Spirit.
Serving joyfully is a holy habit. When you notice your joy fading, pause. Pray. Ask God for a fresh dose of joy. Even in the hottest days of summer, God’s joy remains steady, renewing, and ready to strengthen you.
Loving boldly is possible through the presence of God in our lives and so is serving joyfully. Our only task is to surrender to the power of God in our hearts and let that surrender be visible through our actions in this world.
Looking at the weather forecast, we are in for a few more weeks of heat. Please stay indoors, if possible, during the hottest parts of the day. Pay attention to the air quality warnings on the local weather forecast. And drink your water as your doctor instructs.
My love and blessings to all! Mary
