What if God Took the Summers Off?

I've noticed something about churches and support groups: many of them take the summer off. The reason makes sense. Our winters here in north Idaho are long, dark, and snowy. When summer finally comes, people are eager to travel, play outside, and soak up the sunshine.

But here's the question I can't help but ask: What if God took the summers off?

Grief doesn't take a vacation. Loneliness doesn't check the calendar. Healing doesn't wait politely for September to roll around. For those of us who've lost someone, the ache doesn't disappear just because the sun is shining.

When my husband died, there were days when the brightness of the summer only made the shadows feel darker. Everyone else was at the lake or on the trails, while I was sitting in silence, missing him. I didn't need less support in the summer; I needed more.

That's why I believe in being present throughout the year. Healing is not seasonal. It's a daily walk, a slow unfolding, a journey that deserves consistency.

My "Winds of Change" circle was born from that conviction. A place where widows can gather, journal, reflect, and encourage one another, whether the snow is falling or the sun is blazing. Because grief doesn't take the summer off, and neither should churches, support groups, or compassion.

So if you find yourself wishing there was still a safe space for your heart in these sunny months, remember this: You are not alone. God is still here, and so am I.