…….is worth doing badly. That brief bit of wisdom from G.K Chesterton has been helpful on my imperfect journey through life. At funerals and wedding anniversaries our descriptions of people and remembrance of events can become unrecognizable to those who truly knew the person or the events.

On Saturday, under a wonderfully decorated tent, our kids hosted a garden party to celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary. The actual date was in July but the weather was as hot as any July day. Surrounded by family and friends we celebrated the grace of God in good times and bad, joyful times and sad.

Just beyond my casting range a loon burst through the surface of the lake, its mouth engorged with my breakfast fish. It was a beautiful early morning, sun on the dock, as I cast my lure fruitlessly but therapeutically. I was mildly affronted, thinking that the loon was perhaps throwing his catch in the face of my futility.

Sharpening a new pack of coloured pencils was my “back to school” habit. They had to be “Laurentian”. I don’t remember what grade that stopped but it is a memory I have as Labour day ends. Colouring is still an occasional part of my leisure, but I now have better quality tools.

After 7 decades I still feel like a kid waiting for school to be out as summer arrives. The pace changes, the weather is spirit-lifting and the opportunity for leisure is expansive. As I give you a break from these thoughts for reflection for the summer let me point to the Prayer for Holy Leisure below.