Last week I went on vacation. I actually went on a VACATION. It FELT like a vacation. I left here here. I focused on there and on who I was with – the two most important guys in my life. It was great. We didn’t do anything spectacular. It was a pretty common sort of family trip – a few go kart tracks, putt-putt golf and a drive & hike through Smoky Mountain National Park. We rented a cabin (which was fabulous by the way – www.auntbugs.com in case you’re interested…) We slept late every morning and stayed up late every night. We ate whatever sounded good and lounged by the pool.

I had a few revelations on our trip. One was how much I’ve mellowed through the years. It’s taken 37 years, but I’m finally learning how to relax and enjoy. I’m learning – although I certainly haven’t mastered it – how to let go of those things I have no control over and accept whatever comes when it does. I think that’s a pretty crucial pre-requisite to relaxing. I’ll admit that there were a few times throughout the week that I caught my mind wandering back home to worries & concerns & the normal junk of life. But I reminded myself that I was on vacation and I let them go. Not surprisingly, they were still here when I got home, but I feel a little more prepared to deal with them now.

I realized just how materialistic this country is. There’s something about driving past 150 or so miniature golf courses, arcades, outlet malls, restaurants, souvenir shops, etc…that sort of cheapens a landscape I think. Here are these gorgeous mountains & trees and bright blue sky being all junked up with man made glitz & glitter. We visited the park the last day of our trip. We all enjoyed it the most. No matter what kind of entertainment or “beauty” we humans try to come up with, we simply cannot out-do our Creator. His beauty is breathtaking. We got only a glimpse of it last week.

I realized how much I love my family – and how safe and secure I can feel with them. I get homesick pretty easily, but not if I’m with them. They are my home. My husband is a great guy – and very wise and supportive. My son is funny and smart and pretty darn cute too. I feel awfully blessed.

So we’re back home now. Life has begun it’s usual cycle again. There are plenty of worries and concerns and busyness. I never used to understand the point of a vacation really. They seemed frivolous and a waste of time considering after a few days things have to get back to normal anyway. But I think I get it now. As I looked through the pictures today while they were printing at the store I felt a calm come over me. I remembered what it felt like to slow down and let things go for a while. So the point of the vacation isn’t just about the week or so that it lasts. It’s more about the perspective it brings to the everyday life that follows. Maybe it’s just a chance to prove to ourselves that it can be done – that it is possible to let life work itself out and to enjoy what it offers.

Thank you God for teaching me what it feels like to tangibly give up control for a few days. Now help me do it today too.