Inspiration in the Middle
- Reverend Tara Bartal
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
The feel of summer has already pressed in upon us here in humid North Carolina. After a couple of months of doing a Winter‑to‑Spring dance, it seems that summer has finally settled in for good. I will admit—I love the generous rainfalls this season brings, at least when they are plentiful without becoming torrential.
Have you made any summer plans yet? As for me, I’m hoping to carve out pockets of time for some creative, restorative reading by the pool. For the past few years, I’ve challenged myself to finish at least two books that are not directly tied to my vocation. I’ve already completed one—something I picked up on vacation in April—and I plan to share a review of it in a future post. I’ve also chosen two more: Writing from the Heart by Nancy Slonim Aronie and How Much of These Hills Is Gold by C Pam Zhang.
One promises an adventure through the journey of a Chinese family; the other, a book I’ve owned for years but never opened, invites me into the practice of writing from the heart rather than from the intellect. It feels like the right season to finally dive in.
So why share all of this on a priestly reflection blog? Because my reflections take many forms. Sometimes I respond to a theological question with an academic lens. Sometimes I write about a church event, or something unfolding in the news, or a meaningful spiritual practice. And sometimes I share what I’m reading because you never know what might spark inspiration for someone else.
Speaking of inspiration, as we step into the sixth month of the year, already halfway through 2026, what has been your greatest source of inspiration so far?
When I ponder that question, I think my greatest source of inspiration has also been quite the challenge: grief and the potential for new beginnings.
Grief is a heavy burden that never completely goes away. Time does not heal all wounds, but it can help us build resilience. Loss alters our perspective and forces a transition. I have felt grief on a few different levels, and it has brought clarity to the importance of trusting in God and the process. Sometimes we are forced to let go of things we cannot control.
Inspiration seems to thrive at the cusp of changing seasons. I believe that’s true even in climates that do not experience dramatic organic changes, such as leaves falling from trees in autumn. The middle months of the year become a time of transition just as much as December and January are on the calendar.
As we ease into longer days and warmer evenings, remember the bug spray, keep a few citronella candles on hand, and, if you are in the sun, use high-SPF sunscreen that protects you from more than just sunburn.
In the heat and humidity of these North Carolina months, we share a space with a different heartbeat. The summer rhythms invite us to slow down and reflect on what we want to experience in this space, and who we want to become in the months ahead.
My prayer is that you carry that centering thought with all your intentions for the summer. Rest, create, and reconnect with God’s presence in the simple, ordinary moments. We are invited not only to a change of season, but also to take time out to listen, breathe, and slow down to notice the beauty of the transition.
Only by grace, Tara+
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