Friday, January 7
vacation
As I prep for the "most real" vacation my husband and I have ever taken (and it's needed) I'm trying hard not to get bogged down with all the prepping/packing. I justify this crazy need to make the ultimate preparations because I want our 5-nights away to be the most carefree we've ever ever had. But what I thought about today is that I'M the one who is standing in the way of that being my mindset everyday! Shouldn't I let the Lord lead me completely and wouldn't that free my mind? And then my type-A personality gets in the way and worries that if I don't follow up with x, y, z something traumatic and irreversible will happen. I may need to come up with a montra to help myself from leaning into those thoughts... Or a prayer!
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Pastor Walters' Blog had a post about being tired on Vacation today:
ReplyDeletehttp://pastorwalters.wordpress.com/2011/01/07/tired-on-vacation/
In my experience, the harder you try to force something to be "carefree," the less carefree it becomes.
This was a moving talk by Sherwin Nuland on TED.com, who had to overcome many problems, and was constantly stressed and obsessive compulsive; and how he overcame it. His particular punchline includes the F-word, so watch it only if you won't get offended. ; )
Ah - but the idea that "vacation = stress-free" is not founded in fact. "Stress-free" can happen at work, going grocery shopping, or working on a project. "Vacation" is sometimes the MOST STRESSFUL ENVIRONMENT I've ever been in. (ugh.)
ReplyDeleteAndrew is good about getting me to think about "balance" and rolling with things. God doesn't guarantee that YOUR ideas and hopes are going to be validated by His "peace." HIS ideas and hopes are what He has in mind. (That being said, He also created this earth - in part - for us to enjoy, so if going on vacation means that you can praise and thank him for his grace, then there is a blessing in that, too.)
God simply says that ALL things - the flight, the annoying noise on that flight, the room WITHOUT comfy sheets, the persistent hum of the airconditioner, the not-as-glorious-as-the-postcard-view, the forgotten socks, the misplaced passports, the wrong iPod mix, the crabby husband, the distraction from Carl, the empty tank... the delicious mimosa, the helpful front-desk person, the beautiful moment, the appreciative word, the reassurance from your folks and friends, the deep breath of anticipation...
ALL THINGS WORK FOR THE GOOD OF THOSE WHO LOVE HIM (that'd be you).
Take some deep breaths, Nell, and make the to-do list an exciting thing.