"If your weekend has been packed with responsibilities and chauffeuring teens to all their teams and events, where is your time to think and to listen to the voice of God?"

Kathy Spampinato

Vacation is coming and arrangements are lining up. Many details have been thought through, from airfare, lodging, food, location, and wardrobe. Have we remembered the sunscreen? Are the kids packing all that they need? What time do we leave to catch our flight? Where are the passports? The preparations are sometimes stressful and can be aggravating.

A vacation is a period of time when work, study, and other activities are suspended. Instead, we plan for rest, recreation, or travel. It includes a freedom or release from our usual duties or business. Even then, we can sometimes put too many expectations on our vacation. It is going to be awesome and change the dynamic of our relationships. It is going to ease the tension we've been feeling and put a smile on every face. We're going to have the time of our lives!

One of the big challenges of vacation is how many events to plan. How active do we want to be? Do we want 1 big event per day, or do we want 3 or 4 things lined up? Do we want big activities and big crowds like a theme park, or a quiet day at the beach or fishing? If we've traveled to get here, don't we want to see everything to get our money's worth? And of course, the more people on this vacation, the more opinions and preferences we have to take into consideration. Did you ever experience a need to destress just from the planning?

When I'm on vacation I have to juggle my desire to see everything, and participate in everything, with the need for rest. New experiences can be more tiring and emotionally draining than routine ones, even if they are exciting or awe inspiring. You might find yourself walking 12,000 steps a day. They say that "A change, is as good as a rest." Is that true? Does that mean that you run in high gear the whole time and arrive home exhausted - but you'll still be ready to jump back into your regular routine? Will you feel rejuvenated and energized for life?

Vacation is a nice break and can be a readjustment time. We naturally evaluate our lives from a different perspective when away from home. Do we want to shift some things or make some decisions? Will we go home to change jobs or pick up a new hobby or sport? I would like to suggest that we can take some time to reflect and reevaluate on a regular basis. God designed a day of rest each week: a Sabbath. Do you regularly practice resting, contemplation, and simplicity? Is there a place for silence and solitude in your life? Does your weekend include time with God and unstructured time with loved ones or is it scheduled and regulated down to the minute? If your weekend has been packed with responsibilities and chauffeuring teens to all their teams and events, where is your time to think and to listen to the voice of God? Here are some scriptures to contemplate.

Matthew 11:28-30. ESV "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden in light."

Psalm 23: 1-3 "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake."

Acts 3: 19-20a "Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord..."

Matthew 6: 31-33 "Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

I wish your family a great vacation this year! I pray it is all you hoped for and there is a fun time in store for each one. I hope you're able to balance all the dreams and expectations that have been put on it. I hope you have negotiated an open mindedness that helps you all relax and enjoy. May the memories be sweet and the pictures be gorgeous. May you see the joyous faces and happy smiles, and may you come back home rested and content.