By Sara Parker

As June begins to melt into July, I have come to three realizations:

1. It is about to get EVEN hotter.

   
   
   I find that difficult to comprehend. So does my six-year-old, who just the other day asked how many more degrees it would have to get in order for us to “burn up.”

2. Summer is almost half over.
    
My math is off, I know. But really, August 1 pretty much marks the end of summer and the beginning of all those school-year commitments. I never have been a glass-half-full kind of gal.

3. I feel LAZY.
   
   

In fact, I like to be lazy. How I love to sleep in and let the kids watch cartoons. But I also do not like to sit on my rump for too many days at a time. Last week, I got antsy and made labor-intensive treats like homemade chicken pot pie and from-scratch cinnamon rolls. This week, we are all surviving on PB&J for lunch, Lean Pockets for dinner, and granola bars for breakfast.

As years fly by, I have discovered something about myself: when I feel laziest, and when I am juggling the fewest commitments, that’s when I get inspired. I have been known to start large house projects during these quiet periods in my life. The last time I felt this way, I decided I would refinish the vanities in our master bathroom. I figured a weekend was enough time to accomplish this task. It took me three months to complete.

This summer, I recognized my need for a true break. Instead of filling my quiet moments with extra work, I figured maybe I should concentrate on enjoying the peace. What a concept. During the message at church on Sunday, the pastor mentioned the idea of A Proverb a Day.

Thirty-one Proverbs for the 31 days of July. Anyone want to join me?  I plan to read a chapter a night on my Kindle during our upcoming vacation to my hometown, and I’m bringing along our kids’ NIrV Bible so we can read the Proverbs together as well. I don’t know about you, but I could always use a little more wisdom.

(Perhaps I should have started this mission before I let my sisters talk me into training for a half-marathon. Did I mention I hate running? Also, until yesterday, I had not run a mile straight for 2.5 years.)

I’ll keep you posted—on the running and the wisdom.