Vacation!!!!

Let's talk about vacation. Do you take vacations? Do you put planned time in your calendar for leaving? Actually getting away? Do you save a little money up and find a nice hotel? Or a simple cabin? Spend quality time with your family? With your spouse? If you don't do this, or rarely, let me tell you something...

How great it is to get away!!! My family and I are currently in Virginia at my in-laws relaxing and enjoying some time away. My wife and I just got back from an overnight getaway without the kids to Washington DC (woohoo!!!). Is life so bad that we needed to leave to have fun? Of course not. We have had a great spring in Chicago (though cold) and are getting used to our new place more and more. The church is growing and our friendships are deepening. We love our house and being near grandparents. And pizza!

So why get away? You might think I'm fishing here for an easy, cliche answer, but let's really think about it. Why do we need to actually go somewhere? And plan on doing it? Because getting away and RESTING is completely necessary, especially for those who live 'all out.' Those who give God their everything at work, at home, with family, with friends, everywhere. Those type of people need to get away and cannot avoid doing so because of busyness. That's the point! Even if going on vacation isn't exactly relaxing, or it causes more work later, it still relaxes the brain and body because we're not thinking about work and the "problems" of home. And it allows those who work away from their kids to focus on them! That is so important!

Honestly, I could talk a lot more about this, but I'm on vacation :). I don't want to spend the time! My goal in writing this whole thing is simple: if anyone is reading this and you (or your family) are exhausted or your job performance is beginning to suffer or your family is sensing anxiety or you haven't been at your house for many weeks...GET OUT!!! Please. It is not godly to continue. As I learned many years ago, even Jesus pushed the boat away from the crowds to sleep on the boat. Crowds that needed Him. But he knew they'd still be there and He needed sleep. He needed to rest so He could give His everything the next day. He needed to get away. And so do you.