Family Vacations REVEAL A lot

Search me, O God, and know my heart;

    test me and know my anxious thoughts.

24 

Point out anything in me that offends you,

    and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

-Psalm 139:23-24-

I love trips. Long trips. Short trips. Day trips. They are eye-opening, give an opportunity to have fun, and refreshing for all. My family just returned from a 10 day trip, our summer vacation, and we had a blast. 

The first leg of our trip entailed 14 hours of driving with a pitstop half way. With a movie on for the kids, iPads charged, and a full tank of gas we headed off. Most dread driving the distance but not me. It seems as though when I get away on any family trip...God does some revealing in my life. Slipping away from our normal routine, being with my spouse non-stop 24/7, and being in a small confined min-van leads itself to some layers being pulled back. 

God revealed a few areas of my life that need working on. I found the Lord highlighting how I worry a whole lot in small increments throughout my day. If asked about anxiety in my life, I would definitely have said no. But once back home, I realize that things that are out of my control I must hand over to God and let it go. Really let it go. Let it fly out of my mind, and when it wants to consume my thoughts - bring myself to the Word and find relief in His peace. 

I also realized that my kids are really great. Sure they have struggles just like yours, but they have amazing qualities that sometimes the perfectionist momma in me overlooks. We can get into ruts where we completely overlook the character God is chiseling out in our kids. 

Lastly, I found myself praising God for the ability to retreat with my family and make memories we will tuck away in our hearts. I am grateful for our annual trips to Tennessee and our tent, very cheap, campsites at Disney. It gives an opportunity to see life with new eyes. A heart away from the hustle and bustle of normalcy, allows room for the Father to speak Truth into our hearts, giving us new eyes to see the life HE has entrusted us with.

Yeah I like trips. They bring me to a place of seeing life for what it is. Trips are a must. Something we must schedule, save for, and do annually. Can't afford one now? Plan for one in the future. Set a date, a budget, and begin to plan. It is well worth the investment.

What has the Lord been teaching you lately about parenting? life? Truth?

When was the last family vacation you took? What memories did you make?

"The Perfect Gift for Your Young Child" by Bruce & Stan PART 1

I read this devotion this morning and it tugged at my heart in such a timely way...only God could orchestrate. Enjoy.

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Children are a gift from the Lord; 

they are a reward from him. 

- Psalm 127:3

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      There is no shortage of gift ideas for your young child. Millions of advertising dollars are devoted to direction your attention to the "perfect" gift. You feel guilty if you can't find something that will educated, stimulate, and build self-esteem all at once (and it's got to be politically correct, biodegradable, and bilingual, too). The marketers know that price is no object because this is your child, and you won't settle for anything less than the best.

      Well, we have a suggestion for the perfect gift. It is not easy to find, and it is terribly expensive, but we guarantee that it will last a lifetime and it will be your child's favorite. We're talking about your time.

      Your child's greatest need is the security of  knowing that you care. There is no better way to convey your love than to spend time with your child. hours invested in your child will produce dividends now and in the future. You will be building a relationship, moment by moment, that will be the basis for a lifelong friendship between the two of you. 

       Don't be misled by the myth of "quality time" - it is an admirable goal, but it should not be used as an excuse for missing "quantity time" with your child. Quality moments usually can't be scheduled. They happen spontaneously, without warning, in circumstances you don't anticipate. Those precious, teachable moments will be initiated by your child, while you're playing in the backyard, driving in the car, or staring at a worm in the dirt. For your children, all of the time you spend together can be "quality time" because it is then that they have whats most important to them - your attention.

      This is a gift which does not come cheaply. It will cost you. You may have to forgo other activities. You will have to say "no" to other people. You may have to set aside a few perennial goals or hobbies for a few years. But don't worry. Those other things and folks will be around later, but the childhood years as soon gone forever. They are irretrievable.

      Give your child the gift of your time. Sure, there is limited supply, but we've never seen a tombstone which read:

"I will I hadn't spent so much time with my kids." 

What is God saying to you through this devotion?

What do you think He might be asking you to do?