The Angst of August

August and I were adversaries for a few years fallowing the death of my husband. I dreaded its arrival, bringing with it the memory of difficult days battling a terminal illness, first at home, then in the hospital. His life came to an end on the same day the month did. Each year the flip of the calendar page to that last month of summer depressed me.

God freed me from that recurring agony by changing my perspective... He moved me from defensive actions to going on the offensive. I could deliberately counter the onslaught of painful memories by writing activities into those daily calendar squares that I’d look forward to rather than dread. Suddenly August changed from a month of “angst” to one of adventure.

And it worked. I said “Yes!” to going on trips with my kids if the opportunities arose, and if they didn’t, I planned my own excursions to find new breakfast nooks or book a look at little towns in distant locales. Because I now plan to have fun in those 31 days, I do. Not every day has to be filled with activity; it was a new mindset God was after. He set me looking for joy instead of hiding from distress… an action I can choose every day of any month, for that matter.

August and I have come to terms with each other; we’re friends again. I never would have guessed it was possible, but now it’s even one of my favorite months of the year!

Besties! Who knew?!

“So I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the days of the life God has given them under the sun.”

(Ecclesiastes 8:15 NIV)

(photo credit: Unsplash/MatthewSleeper)