I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase, The Dog Days of Summer. Well, they are coming!

The "dog days of summer" refers to the hottest, most humid period of the year, typically from early July to early September. It is not a new phrase. Ancient Romans associated the intense summer heat with the star Sirius, also known as the "Dog Star." Sirius, aka Canis Major (Large Dog) is the brightest star in the sky. Since Sirius rose and set with the sun, the Romans believed this contributed to the extreme heat, so they named this time period the Dog Days of Summer.

In Genesis, we read that "God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good" (Genesis 1:31). The star, Sirius (the "Dog Star"), is part of God's creation. Psalm 19:1 says, "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands."

So, God created the Dog Days of Summer. Some of us down south are thinking maybe he could have skipped that season. However, we know He makes no mistakes, and we know there is a reason for everything.

Heat transforms many things into more beautiful creations and that includes us.

In the physical world, heat is often used to relieve pain, soothe muscles, and restore health (like a warm compress on astrained muscle or hot bath after a long grueling day). Spiritually, we can think of the "heat" of God's refining process as a necessary part of the healing journey.

Enjoy the blessings of the heat and make the best of life this summer. You will appreciate the fall and winter months and on the coldest days you will remember to thank God for the upcoming Dog Days of Summer.

Blessings,
Marcia Gibney,
Director of Recreation Ministry