Family Vacations
27 05 2015
Summer is quickly approaching and with that comes the planning of a family vacation! I love and look forward to our family’s annual vacation and have already begun to count down the days. My hope is that each of our families here at FBC will find time this summer to take an intentional time of rest and time together making memories as a family.
Some families love trendy vacations like Disney Land, Sea World, cruises, etc. They love to be active, stand in lines, eat out, fill every waking hour, and come home tired! Other families choose less trendy vacation spots. They like lakes, beaches, and places with no lines and no activities. I am definitely a less trendy vacation guy. I like rest, no schedule, and lots of quiet. The purpose of my email today is not to persuade everyone to vacation like me. My purpose is to give you a few thoughts that I hope will encourage you to simply take a much needed vacation and use it well this summer.
1. The difference between a forgettable vacation and and unforgettable vacation is not the location or attractions. The difference is the attitude of the family! A stay-cation can be just as memorable and enjoyable as a trip to Disney Land if the attitude of love permeates a family. Note the words of Solomon in Proverbs 15:17 and make sure you go into vacation with an attitude of love.
2. Study your family before you plan your vacation! Each year brings new challenges to our homes. Our kids get older and develop cognitively, and their strength and health changes. Study your family to see what plan of vacation best helps the particular season of life your family is in. A new mom with young children may need a week of physical rest more than a week of activity. A home filled with energetic junior highers and teens may greatly benefit from a vacation that leaves the kids tired at the end of each night. There is great wisdom in Mom and Dad sitting down and giving careful thought to the current needs of the family and planning a vacation accordingly. Don’t get trapped in the thinking that you must do a vacation just like everyone else is doing. Every family is unique. You do what God would deem best for your family right now.
3. Keep your vacation affordable. A vacation that puts you in debt is a surefire way to put a damper on your family vacation. A wife or husband that spends the vacation wondering, “How are we paying for all of this?” will be distracted from enjoying his or her family and being at rest. The memories of a fun-filled vacation fade away when we get back and begin looking at the bills from the trip. A slim budget doesn’t mean you can’t have fun! It may just mean you have to work harder at being creative in your planning.
Family vacations are FAMILY vacations! They are supposed to be about being together, deepening relationships, laughing together, playing together, and making memories. You may not have much money to spend on vacation this summer, but you can have a low-budget vacation that is wealthy in what matters–developing a stronger bond together and with the Lord. Don’t worry about comparing what you do with the people next door. You do what is best for your family within your means and for the right reasons.
I hope God enables each of you to build some “family equity” this summer.
