“Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me.” —Psalm 103:2 NLT

August is always a tough month for me. Anyone familiar with the “Sunday scaries”—that anticipatory anxiety and sadness that creeps in as you shift from relaxed weekend mode into preparing for the weekday hustle? You may understand what I mean when I say August gives me the “summer scaries.” It’s hard for me to let go of summer, my favorite season. It’s hard to trade carefree mornings and spontaneous afternoons for a school year packed with obligations and stricter schedules.

One practice that helps me navigate this transition with a little more grace is a seasonal “examen.”

The examen, developed centuries ago, is a spiritual practice of reflection that uses questions to help you notice God’s presence and love in your life. It’s traditionally a daily practice, taking a few minutes in the evening to recall the day and ask questions like “Where did I feel God’s love today?” “What was life-giving?” “What was life-draining?” This intentional practice helps us recognize God’s provision, love, and involvement in ways we might otherwise miss.

While the examen is traditionally a daily practice, it can be helpful to occasionally reflect on a longer period, such as a week or a season (one of the four natural seasons or a life season).

Without being too specific, I’ll share a personal example from my seasonal examen to give you a sense of what this might be like. I dedicated one of my regular morning quiet times (it only takes a few minutes, though you can take as much time as you wish). I prayed for God’s grace to show me what He wanted me to see about my summer. I recalled the major and minor activities from the beginning of summer through now and noted what stood out. Then I asked two simple questions: When did I feel God’s love most this summer? When did I feel it least?

The answers?

I felt His love most in ordinary moments when I was fully present to my children, not distracted by anything else, just fully engaged with them. Other times were meaningful conversations with my spouse and friends. It has been a summer of friendship. Not the kind that makes for interesting pictures to share on social media. But I have felt God loving me through friends who care for me in very specific ways. Looking back, I can see His grace in the evening walks and talks I have with my husband, and in other conversations that have drawn each person involved closer to the heart of Christ.

When did I feel His presence the least? When I was rushing, inadvertently deciding that what I was trying to accomplish was more important than how I was treating the people I was with. Sometimes it was harsh words, but sometimes it was mere distraction that made me miss an opportunity for deeper connection with the souls I share this life with.

By the end of my examen, my heart was filled with gratitude, and my mind was better prepared to set priorities for the fall.

If you’re interested in trying your own examen (daily or seasonal), here are a few quick tips: When recalling a longer period, such as a month or a season, reviewing journal entries, photos, or even the calendar can help. But don’t overcomplicate it! Other helpful questions include: “For what moment am I most grateful? For what moment am I least grateful?” Or simply notice the various moods you experienced and spend time praying through them.

I’m curious: will you try your own examen? Do you already have a regular practice of reviewing your life seasons or something similar? I’d love to hear about it.

Lord, what a gift it is to walk through our days with You. Thank You for the times when we are fully aware of Your presence, and thank You for the times when we pause to look back and see Your hand in our lives. Help us become more aware of Your involvement in our lives.

In His love,
Jayna Venturini

Sweet Selah Ministries

Vision
To inspire a movement away from the belief that “busy is better”
and toward the truth of God’s Word that stillness and knowing
Him matter most—and will be reflected in more effective work and service

Mission
To offer biblical resources and retreats that help women pause (Selah)
and love God more deeply as they know Him more intimately (Sweet)

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