Planning on a Vacation in a Godly prespective
Going on a vacation can mean different reasons to each person. It is a time of relaxation and to have fun with family or spending time alone with their spouse, kids, grandparents, relatives, siblings, friends etc.. you name them.
For some, it is to have a quiet time alone with a cup of coffee, traveling alone, reading a book, or just spending time alone by themselves. But their are those others, the sound of vacation means stress, frustration and exhaustion --- planning things out, trying to manage the kids out of trouble. It is one of those times, where arguments breakout, difference in opinion, something missing or forgotten, kids complaining about what to pack or not and the complain list goes on and on.
Recently, I happened to talk to one of my friends who went on a vacation to the beautiful Mackinac Island in Michigan. She was saying, yea it was nice but so exhausting with her 4 boys (2 teenagers and 5 year old twins) her idea of vacation is to be at home have a sip of coffee, read a book, and spend it quietly with her spouse, or go on couple date nights with few of her friends.
You see, vacation trips are meant for adventure, fun, relaxation and enjoyment with less confusion and chaos. So in the midst of all this hustle and bustle how does one manage to keep their sanity and a christ-centered attitude while on vacations?
You might be familiar with some of the points that I am going to jot down here:
> self-discipline
> communication
> Finance
> organize/ planning the vacation
> things to do before you leave
> stay focused and inspired
Self-discipline:
The reason I put this as the top point is because -- most of us forget this trait. We focus on, why everyone else isn't getting things done? Why our spouse can't jot down the to-do-list for the upcoming trip? We are always depending or relying on the other person to finish the tasks. Having a personal self-disciplined attitude in every area of our lives, will avoid many confusions and chaos. It will only help us achieve our goals to the fullest. Self-discipline is a selective training. It helps us to avoid Procrastination. It will help us in disciplining ourselves in our speech, actions, thoughts in order to improve ourselves and to reach our goals in life. Living up to this factor alone will determine our lifestyle and success. Prioritizing our lives is very important that will help us to determine to reach our destinations. Make a decision to plan early, schedule your lives, and watch things get in order. Take it one day at a time. Step by step. In time you will see progress and check mark everything you have achieved in a day. Begin your day with God, let that be your first priority and everything else will fall in place. You will see peace and calm in your life as well as with everyone else who comes along your way. Hide this verse (below) in your heart and meditate on it, because it is a promise of God and He alone can help us to be self-disciplined in our life.
2 Timothy 1:7 - For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.
Communication:
To avoid any sort of misunderstanding, communicate and be clear in your conversation with your group whoever is going with you for the vacation. Communication is key to your success— anywhere you go or do. It is a key ingredient in relationships, in your workplaces, for planning and sorting things, and through out your journey of life. Your ability to communicate comes from experience, and if used wisely, experience can be an effective teacher. Communicate your plans and ideas to your family or group. Listen to their ideas and inputs. Make everyone feel part of the whole trip. Be gracious with each other and respect one another for a fun trip.
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. - Colossians 4:9
Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. - Ephesians 4:25-29
Finance:
It's easy to get lost on a vacation - lost in the fantasy and money draining away from reality. But when you get back to reality, the landlord will still come knocking. Managing money is easy with the right tools and planning. Have a purpose of where you all are going, what you going to do, Don't spend money on everything you see and hear. As you travel make wise decisions on how you spend your money. Before traveling, seek Godly financial wisdom and counsel from others, don't be in a hurry to sign any deal, the best offer in the world can wait. Always remember, God is our source, be generous, do not covet what others have or where your friends went for vacation, be content with what you have and where you are, God placed you there. Bloom where he has planted you. Save money, be out of debt, work hard and seek godly financial counsel. Many don't seek counsel because they do not want to be told their intended actions or decisions may not be wise - but they do them anyways.
Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth. - Proverbs 10:4
Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine. - Proverbs 3:9-10
Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” - Hebrews 13:5
Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.” - Luke 12:15
I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: that I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures. - Proverbs 8:20-21
My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:19
Organize:
Organized people are not born organizing people. They cultivate healthy habits, which help them to stay organized. So how do we organize? - Before going on any vacation, the key is to plan ahead, a month before. Make a detailed planning list for everyone involved in your group. Organize and sort out everything. Research online for traveling tips and tricks, which will make your life easier. Pull your suitcases out at the beginning of the week leading up to your trip. Toss stuff in throughout the week and it keeps you organized, prevents over-packing, and it cuts down on pre-trip laundry! If you have babies and toddlers - and you are planning for a road trip vacation - be creative - wrap fun surprises (it can be small toys, stickers, stuffed animals, picture books) to unwrap for every hour on the drive to pass time in the car or entertain them with songs, make animal noises, play silly face game etc. and multiple stops could be minimized. Keeping things organized saves so much time and money. It helps in the long run. Being organized will bring calmness and peace into our families. Do everything wholeheartedly, do it for the Lord, without complaining and grumbling and this will bring great results and harmony inside your home and with each other.
For God is not the author of disorder but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. - 1 Corinthians 14:33
The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty. - Proverbs 21:5
Things to do before you leave for a vacation:
Make a checklist of things to do before you leave for your adventure. A week before your trip don't take any extra obligations, do all your laundry, make arrangements for any pets if you have and also where your mails should arrive when you are away from home, finish or clean out any perishable items in your kitchen. Make sure you made arrangements going to the airport and all your paperworks are done and ready. Now, the day before you leave --- finish of any last minute packing, charge phones and any other devices including your camera. Take out any garbage from every room in the house. clean/tidy up all the kitchen counters, bathrooms and every room in the house. On the day you leave, make sure you unplug all the heater/ac units. Pack up any last minute things you need. Leave a little early than your time. If you plan and do these little things before you leave for a vacation then when you come back you will have a piece of heaven to come and rest. This will help you to relax and unwind from your trip.
And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men - Colossians 3:23
Stay Focused and Inspired:
Be focused in what you do and where you go. Keep your best attitude towards every up's and down's. Have fun. Enjoy every moment. Cherish it and you won't regret your decisions. Keep your focus on and let your light shine and glorify God in every thing you do and everywhere you go. Enjoy the God given life you have. Be inspired and be an inspiring to those who you meet.
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. - Colossians 3:2
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. - Matthew 6:33
Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. - Proverbs 4:25
Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. - Proverbs 16:3
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. - Psalm 32:8
Finally, it is not just planning for a vacation you keep a Godly prespective but in every aspect of your life, practice and live the Godliness to Glorify God. Let others see the love of Christ shine through your character. A pure relationship with the Father will bring about the joy and harmony in everything we do according to His will. His grace is sufficient for you in everything He will's us to do. Enjoy and embrace this God given journey of Life in abundance.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I (JESUS) came that they may have life and have it abundantly. - John 10:10
What are your thoughts on this? Please comment below.
Article by - Ms. Rof ©