Summer is here, meaning the school season is over, the sun is setting later, and the weather is beautiful! Finally, it’s time for barbecues, beach days, dips in the pool, and many other great summer fun activities. But the summer season is also an important time for those practicing Christianity as it provides us with new and exciting ways to practice your faith and devotion to God.
From the team at The Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Long Island, here are a few ways to strengthen and practice your faith through the summer season:
1.) Enjoy Nature to Its Fullest
Summer is the perfect time to bask in God’s creation. The summer season offers many opportunities to spend and enjoy time outdoors with nature. Take this time to explore the world and scenery around you; visit new parks, go on hikes, visit the beach, and more. Be sure to use your senses and pay close attention to all the different sights, sounds, and scents around you.
2.) Grow And Tend to Your Own Garden
Continue to appreciate all the beautiful nature God has created for you by tending to your very own beautiful garden. You can grow fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers for you to harvest and enjoy this summer. Tending to a garden also gives you a sense of hard work that yields great results you can share with your family, friends, and community.
3.) Take Your Prayer Outdoors
With so many distractions from technology and the busy life around you, it can be hard to maintain a regular prayer schedule. This summer, take your prayer outdoors to enjoy the lovely weather, but also to eliminate those distractions, which more often than not come from the indoors!
4.) Create a Soulful Summer Reading List
The summer months are a great time to take up more reading. You can always pick up the bible and reconnect with the Word of God, but if you’re looking for another suggestion to help strengthen your relationship with God, here are some books to consider picking up:
- Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren
- Finding Faith: A Self-Discovery Guide for Your Spiritual Quest by Brian McLaren
- The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World by Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu
- Traveling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith by Anne Lamott
- Rooted: The Hidden Places Where God Develops You by Banning Liebscher
- Learning to Walk in the Dark by Barbara Brown Taylor
5.) Donate to a Local Organization Helping The Community
One of the best ways to practice your faith, embrace the spirit of service, and help your community year-round is to support a local charitable organization. With the kind support and hard work of their volunteers, organizations can give back and help community members during difficult times. Whether you donate your time or money, your efforts will make a difference and help support their mission to aid others.
Are you looking to support a Long Island charitable organization? Consider donating your time or money to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul has been helping Long Islanders for more than 70 years in a multitude of ways; no work of charity is foreign to the society.
We provide financial and material assistance, along with emotional and spiritual comfort, to help people facing all sorts of challenges. Although affiliated with the Catholic Church, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul helps anyone in need regardless of their race, religion, age, or citizenship status.
Get in contact with us and learn more about how we help our community, how to donate, and our volunteer opportunities on our website.
