It’s that time of year again when our family schedule radically shift as we greet a much needed summer break. As I shared last summer, I often lament over whether making a plan is even worth my time.

Is it even reasonable to expect to create a summer routine that includes rest and play, along with staying on top of the chores and devoting time to keeping the brain in gear?

Unlike the school year rhythm that beats to the Monday through Friday mantra, our summers are marked off by comings and goings — like camping trips and a much-appreciated week away at a Christian family camp — making it hard to expect any consistency in our living and doing. Between our own shuffle of overnight bags and last minute efforts toward tidying up the house for guests, well, it’s a wonder I try to even have a family “to do” list or semblance of schedule.

My right-brain, creative and spontaneous spirit wants to cast schedules to the wind, but then my left-brain side kicks in with a fresh reminder that to cast a vision is a skill worth honing and also imparting on my children.

When we have a framework for how we’ll spend our days, we’re able to work together as a family toward that end. Together, we can make the most of the time God has given us, even if it doesn’t go according to our plan. And together, we can praise God when we see Him doing something totally unexpected in our lives.

As I shared here. . .

Our plans don’t become reality unless it is God’s plan in the first place. {click to tweet}

Proverbs 16:9 NLT
We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.

Planning is really about the process.

A process of casting vision.

A process of surrender.

A process of worship.

So yes, it’s worth deciding when in the weekly routine we’ll ward off of the dust bunnies - because they’ll have plenty of time to plot a take-over as we purposely spend our summer days outside, especially together as a family. And because in the planning, we see God’s story of our lives unfold, whether it goes according to what we think He should do or not!

What do you think about summer schedules? Have you been able to create one that works well? Share with us your thoughts.