Value-filled Vacations

 

“The best adventures are the ones that make your heart race

and your soul sing.” Jon Miksis

 
Do you have some great vacation stories? I sure do. Some of my “funniest” ones explain why I avoid camping like it’s the Covid virus. At least I never want to sleep in a tent or underneath the stars ever again. 
  The arrival of the summer vacation season is an opportunity for a change of rhythm. It’s the time of year that since school is out, families can hit the road for weekend getaways or week-long excursions. Roads are clogged, tourist areas are filled, but the memories that are made can last a lifetime. Even if your children are grown, you still need the refreshment of vacation time, even if it’s just the two of you. But two things can rain on summer fun – Idealism and Extravagance.  
  Idealism poisons vacations. Your picture of the ideal vacation may be very different from your spouse’s. Opposites generally attract. Then, if you have children at home, the “ideal vacation” can quickly go off the rails.
  Because of social media, many of us think that ALL of our friends have “ideal vacations.” They don’t. The pictures posted may be the very best ones from the entire vacation. None of us live an ideal life. Vacations don’t alter that. On vacation we’ll still disagree, and the kids will still squabble. You’ll sabotage your time away if you have high, unrealistic expectations.
  A good vacation is a bit like going to a family restaurant – there’s something for everybody from the senior menu to the kid’s menu. It’s wise to pre-plan activities that are age appropriate. Make it an opportunity to find options that fit with someone’s specific interests. It’s an opportunity to learn to cooperate and compromise.
  And that all begins with communication. None of us are psychic. Let everyone, if they’re mature enough, give input. If everyone knows the plan, it helps limit conflict. Knowing the expectations lowers the stress but the unknown breeds insecurity. Wisely considering and planning for the physical-emotional abilities of each person makes it all the more enjoyable.
  The travel portion can be the most difficult with young children. Is your picture of an ideal time going to jail? For a child, being seat-belted in for several hours can be like being trapped in a small cell. So, plan for it.
  Either drive at night when little ones are sleeping or plan for games that can be played. FYI: Flying won’t eliminate this stress. With the most ideal flight and arriving at the airport two hours before the flight, time on the tarmac and arrival, you’re investing a minimum of 5 hours in travel time.
  Great vacations don’t have to be expensive. One of today’s cultural lies is that the more expensive it is, the more value and enjoyment it has.
  Over the years I’ve ridden in a few limousines. Though a limo costs more than driving a car, it primarily only got me to my destination without having to drive. The extra expense didn’t add true value to my trip. While there’s nothing wrong with spending extra money on a special place to stay or a theme park, make sure it’s a wise investment and not just buying into the marketing of how great it is and how it’s so worth the money. Too often we’re buying the marketing and being sold a bill of goods.
  Make sure you prioritize rest. Too many of us are normally running on empty. And then we so overschedule our vacation that our vacation, instead of being a reprieve, is work. You want to return recharged, not needing a vacation to recover from your vacation.
  Overscheduling can make even the best vacation laborious and is sure to create conflict. If you or your partner tend to err on the side of filling up every moment while you’re away, purposely build in time to do absolutely nothing. It’s amazing how relaxing it can be to fall asleep poolside.
  As much as you can, clear the schedule. Store the watches and digital instruments. Instead of cramming lots of activity in, prioritize what will truly be meaningful for you and your family.
  Make room for spontaneity. Do you remember this nursery rhyme?
 

Pussy cat, pussy cat, where have you been?

I've been to London to see the Queen.

Pussy cat, pussy cat, what did you do there?

I frightened a little mouse under her chair.

 
  So, this cat goes all the way to London and the high point is chasing mice. She could have just stayed home and done that. On vacation engage your spirit of adventure. Use the imagination that God has given you. Our children will never forget hotel nerf gun battles or going crabbing at night with garbage cans from the condominium.
  Children love mystery and surprises. If though you don’t plan it, it won’t happen. Plan something they’re not expecting yet will remember. It need not be many things, nor need it be expensive, but there ought to be something unexpected, something to look forward to, planned for the whole family. It’s the stuff that memories are made of.
  Share the childcare and domestic responsibilities. Even in today’s liberated world, wives and mothers still carry the bulk of the household responsibilities. Too often vacation is a vacation for everyone but Mom. We tried to counter this by keeping it simple. Breakfast would typically be cold cereal with sandwiches for lunch. But we tried to always go out for dinner. That way Jane didn’t have to prepare meals or do a clean-up. Now that we’re at a different phase of life, we’ve made finding unusual and unique restaurants an adventure.
  We’d do activities in the morning and leave the afternoons for down time or rest. God rested after the Creation and rest is part of our design. In other words, we were made to rest, so make sure that you plan down time.
  Put God in your luggage. Most of us will inspect our vehicles, review our routes and check the weather before we leave. But things are going to happen that are unplanned and if you don’t invite God to come with you, you’ll be unprepared, so pack your Bible. You need spiritual fuel, too.
  Vacations are a great time for relaxed time with the Lord and even family devotions. Dig into God’s word as a family and talk about what the Scriptures have to say. And while you’re in the midst of God’s creation, enjoy the Creator. Romans 1:18-20 explains how God’s invisible attributes are clearly visible in everything that He’s created. Plan some outdoorsy time in nature so everyone can experience God’s creation firsthand.
  Depending on your vacation style, vacations are about rest, connection, adventure and relaxing. And you get to decide a lot of what happens. So, be intentional about making this one the best trip yet!

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