Symbols of the Season
Summer Imagery for Ordinary Time
It’s not so ordinary after all.
Ordinary Time. The name alone can feel underwhelming. After the crescendo of Easter and the dramatic arrival of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, we settle into what the liturgical calendar calls ordinary. But there’s nothing bland or boring about this season—it’s actually the longest stretch of the church year, and one filled with the quiet, daily work of spiritual growth.
This time in the church calendar is marked by the color green—symbolizing life, vitality, and flourishing. And it’s no coincidence that Ordinary Time aligns with summer in the northern hemisphere. The season of sunshine, gardens, thunderstorms, and slow afternoons becomes a classroom of sorts, teaching us about faith through creation’s everyday symbols.
Here are a few of my favorite summer images—and what they might be saying to our souls:
The Garden: Growth Takes Time
Whether it’s vegetables in tidy rows or wildflowers on the roadside, summer is rich with reminders that growth is slow and sacred. The garden teaches us patience. It reminds us that fruit doesn't appear overnight. In the same way, Ordinary Time invites us to tend to our inner soil—reading scripture, showing up for community, praying without fanfare. These “ordinary” acts are holy work.
Faith prompt: What kind of spiritual fruit are you hoping to grow this season?
The Sun: Light That Nourishes
The sun is a steady presence in summer. It gives energy to growing things and gently shifts our daily rhythms. In scripture, God is often likened to light—shining into dark corners, revealing what’s true, guiding our steps. Summer’s sunlight can be a reminder that we, too, are meant to live in the light, receiving it and reflecting it to others.
Faith prompt: Where do you feel God's light in your life right now? How are you being called to reflect it?
The Lake: Stillness and Depth
A still body of water on a summer morning—mirror-like, quiet—teaches us the value of rest. In a world that moves fast, Ordinary Time and summer both invite us to slow down. The Spirit doesn’t always move in fire and wind. Sometimes it’s in the whisper, the pause, the moment by the lake.
Faith prompt: What still waters are calling you to pause and listen more closely this season?
The Thunderstorm: Necessary Disruption
Summer is not all calm skies. A thunderstorm rolls through, watering dry land and shaking us awake. Spiritually, storms can do that too—upending us, revealing what’s been parched, and bringing new growth.
Faith prompt: Has a recent disruption in your life made room for something new?
The Firefly: Small Glimmers of Wonder
Few things feel more like a gift than fireflies in July. They appear just as the light fades, tiny reminders that even in the darkness, something beautiful glows. Like hope. Like grace. Like the gentle prompt of the Holy Spirit.
Faith prompt: What small wonders are you noticing this season?
A Season That’s Anything but Ordinary
Ordinary Time is the long stretch where our faith is not fueled by big holidays or dramatic moments, but by the quiet, faithful, daily work of being present to God. Summer’s images—gardens, water, sun, storms, stars—are here to help us see that this is no off-season for the soul. It’s fertile ground.
At Carrot Top Studio, I love honoring this season with imagery that reflects its richness—green stoles that depict leaves unfurling, seeds taking root, or light radiating outward. We also offer digital downloads designed to help individuals and communities engage Ordinary Time with visual intention—whether it’s through printable blessings, coloring pages, or journaling prompts. These visual symbols connect what we see with what we believe. Because God’s creation is not just beautiful—it’s formative.
What image of summer speaks to your spirit right now?
Let’s not rush through this season. Let’s look, listen, and grow—together.
☀️
Art with Heart, Crafted for Every Season – Jenny @Carrot Top Studio