The Day I (Almost) Ruined our Vacation

“Let’s go mom, everybody’s waiting in the car!” My daughter tugged on my shorts and pointed to the garage as I checked the white straw bag.

“I’m coming honey! I don’t want to forget anything. I just have to check the doors and windows to make sure they’re locked.”

I squeezed on to the passenger seat and searched for a place to fit my cargo. Toys, towels, sunscreen lotion and goggles fought for a place in the bag, imitating the children in the back seat.

“Relax, honey, you’re too stressed” my husband smiled and stroked the back of my head. “We’re not moving there. You don’t have to pack the whole house!”

It was our first vacation to the beach with three young children. We decided to take the route through the country roads to avoid the crowded freeways. However, we didn’t realize that the road was in awful shape after a recent hurricane.

The smooth, scenic ride looked more like an obstacle course. One of the kids got carsick and the other two asked the dreaded “How much longer?” on repeat. It was only the first day and my patience was already waning.

I grabbed the road Atlas, (pre GPS), to search for a way to get back on the highway and directed my husband through the maze of backroads and potholes.

“I’m glad that crazy obstacle race is over,” I declared as we reached the freeway.

“Yes,” my husband replied. ” I just wish I could’ve taken pictures of the beautiful lake back there.”

“I didn’t see a lake” I said.

“Of course not,” he responded, “you were glued to that map the whole time!”

Reality sank into my heart like the pile of rocks we had passed.

I was ruining my family’s vacation. I had taken my eyes off my precious time with my family to focus on the small problems on the way. I was negative, impatient and annoying, grumbling and complaining as I tried to control our vacation instead of enjoying the journey.

That morning on that country road I decided to let God take control of the rest of my vacation. I vowed to trust in Him and not myself to solve my problems, whether big or small, and to rest in Him. I was thankful to Him for showing me such a great lesson, and I try to apply it in every circumstance since then.

Our trip resulted much better than I expected. Not only did we enjoy the beach, but we found a state fair with rides, a petting zoo and fun games where we won more prices that I could carry.

We’ve taken yearly vacations since then, many of them with unexpected surprises. However, that short journey through the country was life changing. Our trip was hardly memorable, but for me it was definitely unforgettable.

Come to me, all of you who are struggling and burdened, and I will give you rest.     

    Matthew 11 :28