The family vacation is usually reserved for the summer months. Time for the beach, cookouts, homemade ice cream and travel. A time for families to get away to relax, enjoy life and celebrate how much fun it is spending time together cramped in a car with children or teenagers for a 6-to-8-hour drive to enjoy the wonders of God’s creation. Right.

I wonder how many of us come back from our vacation more tired than when we left. What we really need is rest. The staycation is becoming more popular as families realize that staying home can be as fun as traveling less expensive, safer, and more relaxing.

I am for families connecting, recharging and resting. I believe this is what the family vacation is about. It is taking time away with the people who live in our house for a retreat from daily life for a few days. This is good for relationships and good for the soul.

In the Bible, there are times where God built in times of rest for the people of Israel. Many of the festivals and solemn events they were to practice were to have no work involved and lasted several days. Times of rest built into their year, and they were frequent.

When Jesus was with the disciples, He saw the need for them to get away for a while. Mark 6:31 says that, “And He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a little while.” (For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.)” (NASB) The disciples had been working hard with the people and they needed a break. They needed a vacation. Jesus made sure they got it. He also offers that to us as well.

Today, I think we have forgotten how to truly rest. We have gotten so accustomed to work that our brains do not know how to be still. We do not have a shut off or a reset. We are constantly on go. As a result, there is a high rate of burn out, depression, drug abuse, and even suicide. We need rest.

Jesus tells us in Matthew 11:28-29, “Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will findrest for your souls.”

The vacation is intended to allow families to get away for a while, not one more item to check off the ever-growing checklist of things to accomplish. How many of us can say we truly relaxed on vacation without an itinerary of where we needed to go next or what time we needed to do this next. It is even worse if we take extended family along for the ride. No wonder we come back from out vacation more stressed than when we left.

Whether you stay home this vacation season or travel, look for ways to relax. Be intensional. I know you have to keep the kids engaged, but it wouldn’t hurt them to have some downtime also. Some quiet moments of solitude  walking in the woods, swinging in a hammock. Maybe laying on a blanket in the backyard watching the clouds go by or watching the stars come out. Maybe take a sketch pad and try to sketch or watercolor paint a sunset. You don’t have to be good just have fun and relax. The family vacation is about taking time with your family to enjoy a time to relax with your family. Turn off the electronics for the evening. Watch the stars, paint the sky, watch the birds. Feel the tension ease in the gentleness that nature brings.

I’m not talking about extremes. Just beginning to practice times of rest. Walk on the beach rather than splash in the water. Collect shells, wade the surf, listen to the waves. Try something different. Take time to rest this family vacation. I mean really rest. Let the tension, stress, and worry go. Believe me it will be there waiting for you. For now find a secluded place and know He is gentle and humble in heart. Find rest for your soul.

Angela