“Vacation.” Isn’t the prospect of it exciting? The word is said and people imagine perfect days relaxing beside a beach or at a mountain retreat. But have you ever actually had a perfect vacation? Be honest. Did things really go the way the pictures looked on Facebook? Mine never has. I’ve always left longing for a redo or saying, “Next time, we’ll do such and such.”
Well, our latest trip was no exception. Five hours into the drive I realized I left my heavy coat AND my sweater at home. We were going snow tubing in Tennessee, so that was a big deal. (I did, however, remember everyone else’s items and my dark chocolate chips, which helped a bit.) Then we got a call from the cabin rental company that the heater for the indoor pool had gone out but should be replaced the next day. The pool was the whole reason we rented the place as it’s all our kids wanted to do. But the ability to go on a vacation together far outweighed this small problem, so I was rejoicing.
Once we arrived, everything was beautiful and better than expected. We were running on high expectations for the greatest vacation ever. The pool still felt like ice even though it was supposed to have been fixed, but we were told to give it some time. We settled in, enjoying the cozy fireplace and the view of the beautiful mountains. The kids wanted to watch a movie, but the DVD player in the living room was broken. That was an easy one for me as I’m not much for TV. So of course I tell my crew to be thankful for all the good things God is working out for our good.
Bedtime arrived, and we were so ready for a good night’s sleep following the entire lack of sleep we received at the hotel the night before. Unfortunately, sleep proved impossible at this place as well. Each night there was something…crazy loud winds, creaking cabin noises, or a repair man showing up at almost midnight. The mornings came so quickly with bright-eyed, wild-haired kids bringing the rumble of a herd of elephants. But oh the sunrise! And the snowflakes! And getting to read my Bible and talk to God beside a fireplace while watching it all! God whispered His goodness in so many moments throughout the days if I truly paid attention. Those quiet moments with Him redirected my heart and filled me with wonder. Do you know that just a few days before our vacation the temperature in Gatlinburg was in the 70s? Now it was snowing big beautiful clusters of snowflakes! It felt like God sprinkled them down just for us!
Each day was filled with super fun activities, but also much work. I’ve never put on and taken off so many coats, hats, and gloves in such a short time period. Just when I’d start feeling frustrated, though, we’d have an amazing moment like holding hands while ice skating or racing down a mountain on a tube. Even the Titanic museum was an amazing experience between potty breaks and toddler tantrums. We were so inspired by the stories of preachers, missionaries, and ordinary Christians who felt they were preordained for the very situation in which they found themselves. They gave up their seats on the lifeboats to save others and show the sacrificial love of Christ. Reverend John Harper was witnessing up until the very end of his life. (See also Annie Funk.) That experience fanned the flame in my heart for following Christ regardless of the earthly cost.
Immediately following this experience, we returned to our cabin to find that we had no running water. Well, we had enough to meet our most basic needs for that night (if you know what I mean). But the pool had finally heated up! The kids were ecstatic. I was teetering. Each phone call to the cabin rental people was a test for me to show gentleness and love when I felt the opposite. God kept recalling Philippians 4:4-7 to my mind.
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
After 2 days of phone calls, repair men, and no water, we were offered a new cabin. But it was our last evening, and it felt too late to make a move. We didn’t have a drop of running water, though, so move we must. That was it for me. Spending my last day of vacation packing, unpacking, moving, cleaning, and making phone calls was too much for me. “Lord, help my attitude.” That was all I could say as I realized our vacation was over. But I wanted my kids to see this as another God-given adventure, so we thanked Him.
Oh my stars! The new cabin blew the old one out of the water. It had a heated pool, hot tub, sauna, theater room, pool table, arcade game, and RUNNING WATER! And the view was absolutely breath-taking! As my kids ran around exploring, I realized there were scriptures all over the walls and familiar Christian books on each end table. I stepped onto the back porch just in time to see our final mountain sunset. I can’t describe what my heart felt, but the word “overflowing” comes to mind. I thanked God out loud through tears falling. All the blessings came together in my mind- His protection, the funds He provided, all our needs met, the snow, the perfectly timed sunshine when we were tubing and hiking, the broken DVD player which led to evening Bible study, so many innumerable things. God now seemed to be shouting His goodness. This moment gave me everything I was craving- peace, rest, joy, a filled- to- the- brim heart. There had been difficulties-there always will be in this temporary home. But His goodness toward us will always be greater. And one day we will experience perfection. And I can promise you that singing and rejoicing to the Lord will be exactly what we want to do…. not what we have to do!
Psalm 34
“I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad.
Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together!
I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.
This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.
Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack!
The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
Come, O children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good?
Keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from speaking deceit.
Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry.
The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.
The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.
He keeps all his bones;
not one of them is broken.
Affliction will slay the wicked,
and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.”
