When the Smoke Clears: A Reflection on Summer, Stillness, and the Savior Who Waits
The grill is hot. The kids are loud. The pool pump is humming, and somewhere between the rising price of gas and the politics no one agrees on, you’ve started wondering whether the cloudiness in the water is algae, poor filtration, or just one more thing you don’t have time to fix.
It’s summer. And it’s a blur.
Barbecue tongs in one hand, a phone in the other. Baseball on the screen, news in the background. Laundry, appointments, mosquito spray, sunscreen, headlines. And yet, beneath it all, a quiet voice whispers:
Be still. Be with Me.
The Invitation Beneath the Noise
Jesus never told anyone to cancel their plans. He went to weddings. He walked dusty roads. He sat down for meals, told stories, celebrated life.
But He also slipped away.
Into the mountains. Onto the water. Into silence.
He didn’t demand that His followers abandon the joys of living; He just reminded them, again and again, to stay rooted in love. To anchor their hearts in something eternal. To find Him in the stillness.
So no, you don’t have to cancel the BBQ. But maybe pause before the first bite and remember the One who gave you the day. Maybe sit by the pool a moment longer and let the breeze carry your prayer.
“How Often Do You Pray?”
Years ago, a Muslim man I met … kind, sincere, not particularly fond of Catholicism, asked me a simple question:
“How often do you pray?”
I didn’t expect to give an answer that would move him. I just spoke from the heart:
“When I’m not speaking, I’m praying.”
He smiled. He liked that answer.
Prayer, after all, isn’t always kneeling or reading or reciting. It’s presence. It's love returned. It’s remembering that God is near in every moment, even when we forget to be near to Him.
A Reflection of Peace
We don’t need more division. We need more peace.
We don’t need to win every argument. We need to be found in prayer.
We don’t need more things; we need more of each other.
And more of Him.
When the burgers are gone and the fireworks are finished… when the cloudiness in the pool has cleared and the leaves begin to fall again…
What will remain?
Only love. Only the moments that were sanctified by silence, lifted by laughter, and anchored in the presence of Christ.
So enjoy the season. Live it well. But let your soul rest, too.
You are loved. You are seen. And even now, the Savior waits for you … in the quiet.
Before I go, I wanted to mention that when I’m not writing, I’m curating vacations that I like to call “good for the spirit.” If you’re interested in a pilgrimage to Fatima, Lourdes, Rome, or even the Holy Land to walk where Jesus walked, I’d love to help you plan the journey.
Of course, if your soul is calling for pink sand beaches and a little umbrella in your drink, we think that’s good for your spirit too.
Although travel is a major part of my life beyond the keyboard, I’m happy to guide you—without any agency planning fees. I consider those of you who’ve embraced our platform here as brothers and sisters in faith, and I’m honored to be a guide whenever you feel called to explore.
And since I’m passionate about both Always Toward the Light and my work through Harbor Close Travel, you may see a little cross-sharing from time to time. Why not? The journey of faith and the joy of travel don’t have to be separate roads. For me, I do both while supported by deep prayer and love.
You’re always welcome to reach me at (631) 708‑5361 or hello@alwaystowardthelight.org.
In the meantime, I wish you a wonderful week. Enjoy the BBQs… and don’t worry about the cloudiness in the pool.
Warm regards,
John Henry
“When I’m not speaking, I’m praying.” What a wonderful answer!