Numbering Our Days in a Summer of Light and Loss
June 25' Reflections on Joy, Fragility, and Grace in the Everyday + My Monthly Roundup & A Life Update
June was a wonderful debut to summer. It was another month where so much of life was packed into one— summer reading program events, ice cream, the beach, day trips, splash pads,, and family visits. Much of the month felt like wading into summer’s warmth—sun-drenched, shimmering, and full of laughter.
I haven’t had this much fun in a while as we make the most of our summer days. Between the summer sweetness and the ache of a hurting world, I’ve been thinking a lot about the psalm that urges us to number our days. Because lately, I have been feeling the frailty and fragility of human life more than ever.
Which is hard because, unlike the characters in The Summer I Turned Pretty, summer isn’t the only season that matters. Life isn’t just measured in summers. It’s measured in how we show up and see God, squeezing His promises out of each day.
Watching my babies grow up while simultaneously watching people lose their lives in the senseless wars, natural disasters, and catastrophes is a sobering reminder that each day is truly a gift that I want to enjoy for however long the good Lord allows me to. I think that’s why Jesus urged us not to get caught up worrying about tomorrow, but to seek the kingdom and focus on what’s before us each day (Matt. 6:33-34).
So that’s where I am as we close out June and enter July — very much so, navigating life’s complexities and challenges while still doing my best to number and enjoy our days.
A Month In Grace 🌿
✨ What surprised me
While I shy away from trendy concepts like “romanticzing your life,” I have been enjoying incorporating small delights in my day — drinking coffee in front of the pond, reading on the porch, indulging in a cold, creamy treat on a hot, sweltering day. Don’t discount the impact of doing small things to boost your mood.💛 What challenged me
Our family has been walking through some challenges that have offered an opportunity to trust God more deeply and remember His sovereignty. Rather than spiraling in anxiety, I’ve been doing my best to press into the Word and prayer.
💬 A conversation I keep thinking about
My friend and I have been having conversations on waiting and feeling behind. Through these conversations and what I’ve been reading, I am realizing that waiting is an invitation to dive into the depths of uncertainty while trusting God unwaveringly — a practice that has to be done intentionally and consistently rather than perfectly.🤍 Something I’m holding close
I’ve been blessed to host my family this month, and I’m gearing up for another visit from my college best friend and her family. As a primary, solo parent still forming friendships and community in a new town, it can be very lonely and challenging raising littles. One way God has comforted me is by sending friends and family to visits, providing reprieve and friendship by their visits. It’s something that I’m very grateful for and holding close in this season.
🙏 What I’m learning about grace
Grace empowers us to forgive and be forgiven. I’ve been being tested more times than I care to be and have fallen more times than I like to admit. While sometimes I am tempted to walk in condemnation and shame, I am reminded that there is none of that when you’re operating in Christ. His love covers a multitude of sins, empowering us to extend that same grace to cover and forgive those that we love.
If this reflection spoke to you, I’d love for you to support my work by becoming a paid subscriber. Your support helps me continue sharing these grace-filled stories and reflections, and as a paid subscriber, you’ll get access to exclusive posts and deeper conversations. I’d be honored to have you along for the journey.
Not ready for a subscription but still want to support my work? You can now make a one-time contribution through Buy Me a Coffee. Every bit of support helps me continue sharing these reflections, and I’m so grateful for your generosity!
Love Notes 💌
Throughout the month, I love to post notes, reflections, or other resources that I find encouraging or helpful. Make sure you download the Substack app so you don’t miss out on new notes, chats, and threads.
On My Nightstand 📚
Monthly Favorites + Books I’m Currently Savoring
The Love Haters 1by Katherine Center. This is the perfect light, laugh-out-loud beach read, if you need one. Taking place in Florida’s beautiful Key West, Katie Vaughn, video producer, is doing her best to keep her job and not fall in love with Coast Guard rescue swimmer and love hater, Hutch.
One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune. This was the perfect follow-up to Every Summer After, following Charlie Florek, Sam’s brother. It was so sweet to see Charlie all grown up and watch his character development from the first book as he fell for photographer Alice, who’s back in Barry’s Bay to take care of her grandmother for the summer. I ate up and savored every bit of this summer romance.
It’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. Inspired by Jennette McCurdy, comes the story of Jane Jackson, a childhood turned Hollywood executive, seeking to secure her status in the industry by partnering with her one-time crush, cinematographer Dan Finnegan, to greenlight her first project. However, in attempts to get it approved, she fakes credibility with a celebrity she knew in her past life, hoping to secure a soundtrack that will bolster the movie. To keep up with the act, she joins forces with Dan in hopes of hunting down this celebrity and securing the soundtrack. If you love enemies-to-lovers or forced proximity tropes, this one will be a good time.
These were just some of my favorites from the month. Check out my monthly reading recap, Goodreads, or Fable for a full list and reviews of what I read.
Links & Little Joys 🩷
This academic planner will serve as our family planner for the school year.
Having a backyard picnic is on my summer bucket list, so I was pumped to find this washable, foldable picnic blanket from Target.
An insulated shopper to keep in your trunk for longer grocery pickups and runs.
June Snapshots 📸
Post library picnic // Reading by the pond // Family ice cream fun // Beach day // Splash pad visit // Driftwood Beach with my sister // Daytrip to Savannah // Cooling off while learning our letters and numbers
Life Update + A Note on Writing Rhythms 🌿
As our family navigates a few personal transitions this summer, I’ll be stepping back just a bit from regular posting. I’ll still share my monthly reflection (like this one!) and an occasional post when time and energy allow. I’ll also be sharing short, bulleted-style (Joy)Caps on some Fridays on Subtack Notes—little roundups of what’s bringing me joy, inspiration, and beauty in this season. For quicker updates, reflections, and thoughts in real time, you can follow me over on Substack Notes (make sure to download the Substack app and tap the “Notes” tab to stay connected there!). Thanks for being here and giving me the grace and space to embrace and prioritize what matters in this season.
Catch Up on June Posts
How I’m Designing a More Intentional Summer
Summer is officially here, and this year, I’m actually excited for it.
💞Loving the Life Designer? Share the Life Designer with a friend and earn rewards when they subscribe.
Can’t afford a paid subscription to The Life Designer but still want to support my work? Here are some ways to consider:
☕️ Buy me a coffee to fuel these newsletters.
❤️ Comment, like, or restack this post here on Substack.
🔄 Restack or share your favorite part of this post to your Substack Notes.
📧 Forward this email to a friend.
📲 Connect with me on IG @janelleaking and LinkedIn
This post contains affiliate links. That means, at no additional cost to you, you can shop while supporting The Life Designer publication.
I really love this whole statement: “Our family has been walking through some challenges that have offered an opportunity to trust God more deeply and remember His sovereignty. Rather than spiraling in anxiety, I’ve been doing my best to press into the Word and prayer.”
I have been doing my best to do the same! With every trial it gets easier to wake up praying and acknowledging God from morning to dusk. When we say praying without ceasing, I think some of the world might think “another thing I can fail at!” But truly as time goes on it’s a matter of turning our face to the warmth of the Son over and over, walking backwards into uncertainty, focused on Him.