I was relaxing next to the pool under the shade. We had just drenched our three kids in sunscreen (or as my kids call it, “Sun Scream”). My son, Logan, was taking a nap, and decided I was the most comfortable bed he could find. I looked across the pool at my two other kids. Asher was splashing around and spitting water at Missy. Jada, who had just learned to swim without her floaties, and was doing her best impression of Michael Phelps with my father-in-law coaching her along the way. It was a gorgeous day outside-- the sun was out, light breeze and in the low 80’s. It doesn’t get much prettier than that. As I looked around I thought to myself, THIS IS THE LIFE! A week of vacation with the family. No one else. Time away with my wife and kids; no emails, no phone calls, no meetings, no deadlines and no pressure. THIS IS WHERE ITS AT! And the week proved to be just that. We had a blast. One of the best vacations we have ever had as a family. It was simple. We didn’t do a whole lot other than swimming, sleeping, and hanging out in our rooms. But our family came back rejuvenated, excited about life, and a whole lot closer.
I wish I could spend every day on vacation, but I’m sure my kids do like having food on the table and enjoying sleeping in a house, so at some point I had to come back to the real world.
Growing up, my family was of meager means, and we didn’t get to go on a lot of trips, or go to a lot of theme parks, and we definitely didn’t spend extended time on any tropical resorts. We didn’t take a lot of time together on vacations. So, I never grasped the importance of what that time could mean. My wife’s family, on the other hand, took vacations yearly, and spent time on a consistent basis getting away together, and having several days devoted to just spending large amounts of carefree timelessness. And so that mentality has made it’s way into our family. And, this year, for the first time I grasped the importance of having that alone time. We came back from our vacation energized, excited about life and felt more connected than ever as a family. I loved that week, and will always cherish it.
One of my favorite things to do on vacation is reading. And one of the things I found I love to do is read the word and spend time praying. I think it is the lack of schedule and the lack of busy-ness that allows me to really connect with Jesus. It seems my times on vacation are relaxed. I’m not pressured to hurry up and get on my day. Jesus and I have some great times on vacation. And I wonder why I don’t spend enough time like this when I’m home, almost a vacation with God. Not a week-long get away just to pray. But taking those elements of a vacation: aloneness, lack of distractions, carefree timelessness, focus and rest.
continued tomorrow
