Summer Got You "Cool as a Cucumber?" or "In a Pickle?"

The dog days of summer have arrived! Where did the time go? Living in Montana this year, I find myself oscillating between feeling cool and a bit “pickled” by the heat, depending on the day. Spring was a whirlwind of preparation—hurry up and wait—while summer has unfolded as a slow, deliberate walk. The garden reflects this rhythm: cool-loving plants like carrots and celery are flourishing, yielding a bountiful harvest, while heat-loving crops like tomatoes and peppers stretch toward the sun, setting fruit at a leisurely pace due to the milder temperatures.

This garden has become a teacher of life’s deeper lessons. We organize, execute plans, and wait for results—much like tending our own growth. Are we investing time and value in areas that will one day yield a beautiful harvest, or are we cultivating an organized mess? Do our plans stem from a solid foundation, or are they a chaotic blend of experiences, hopes, and dreams, hoping to emerge as a tasty smoothie?

The waiting period is where the real work happens. Are we nurturing our future harvest with care and reflection, learning to organize our lives with purpose? Or do we toil nervously, stuck in old patterns like a runaway train we can’t escape? Each year, gardening can feel routine, almost on autopilot—planting seeds, tending rows, repeating the cycle. Yet it also offers a chance for renewal, challenging us to maintain what works while refining our skills and mindset.

Regardless of the weather—or life’s unpredictable seasons—we have the opportunity to approach our gardens and ourselves with intention. We can choose autopilot, fulfilling duties while the joy of growth fades, or step back with fresh eyes, building a stronger foundation and embracing the beauty God weaves into the details. Some years, the harvest may lag behind our expectations, despite our efforts, teaching us patience and resilience.

So, where are my cucumbers? Likely cool on the vine, crisp and promising, with a few destined for pickle jars. What about yours—cool, crunchy, or already preserved?