Vacations
October 27th 2009 17:48
Let me know if this is too abstract
The Pastor Ponders,
Returning from Vacation…and….
I have an odd theory about vacations and why the day you return is so difficult.
Let’s deal with the return. It doesn’t matter whether the vacation is three days, like my last, or 3 weeks, like my last vacation 2 plus years ago now. The first day or two back aren’t just worth living, because of two reasons, both possibly due to poor planning, or just trying to make the most of a “vacation.”
The first reason is that we always schedule to the last minute. Go camping, and you return the day before you return to work, and have to unpack and get the laundry done, and change the rules back for your child(ren), and basically burn yourself out the day before you return. A short vacation, and you do something silly, like chase a 33 month old around LegoLand, the day before you return to work. Beat up by roller coasters, tired from the drive, you pull into home late….and you have to be back early the next day. SO your tired and weary and you get to work and open your email and…. WHAM!!!!
The second reason is we really don’t “Vacate”. We may pretend to, we may even give out responsibilities and delegate, but ultimately, in any job, there are things you have to do, and the reality is – not everything you do will be taken care of completely. Phone calls to return, chains of emails to diagnose and sift through, real mail to open, projects to catch up on quickly, and 101 issues that need to be settled – yesterday! Add to that, many of us spend time away…working. Example – I am sitting in a friends church on Sunday, and mentally and spiritually I am with Concordia, and thinking of my next sermon (which will be pretty interesting – if I do say so myself!) I know that many of us do the same thing, as teachers see something which sets off planning a lesson, businessmen see some thought provoking idea, managers get the odd phone call that makes them concerned for what else is going on….
So what do you do? You grab a moment for prayer, you look at the list… and you write an article!
Seriously, the question of what a vacation is must be considered. Is it time to make up for time lost with our families while we work? Is it a time for respite and restoration and relaxation?
Have wehave lost the ability to slow down (or maybe I just have) to relax and read and rest?
To be still and know that we aren’t God, and that He will see us through.
Or maybe a real vacation is found in another way. When our “family” gathers around the altar. Sabbath, or Shabbatt means rest. Our God commanded us to keep this part holy, to keep it set apart.
Our Sabbath rest time, when we realize that God is not only in charge, but wants us to relax, and play, His children, protected by His might. When all burdens of sin are released, where peace is found in hearing of God’s love, and adoring Him as we sing. When we realize that God’s love unites us, and heals our souls and hearts. When we, with nearly every sense, with every part of our beings, vacate the world and spend time with God. It is the closest we get to heaven, yet somehow still are here.
In many ways, I am glad to be “home”, and yet, our home on this Tuesday, is still 119 hours away….and may well last for eternity.
The Pastor Ponders,
Returning from Vacation…and….
I have an odd theory about vacations and why the day you return is so difficult.
Let’s deal with the return. It doesn’t matter whether the vacation is three days, like my last, or 3 weeks, like my last vacation 2 plus years ago now. The first day or two back aren’t just worth living, because of two reasons, both possibly due to poor planning, or just trying to make the most of a “vacation.”
The first reason is that we always schedule to the last minute. Go camping, and you return the day before you return to work, and have to unpack and get the laundry done, and change the rules back for your child(ren), and basically burn yourself out the day before you return. A short vacation, and you do something silly, like chase a 33 month old around LegoLand, the day before you return to work. Beat up by roller coasters, tired from the drive, you pull into home late….and you have to be back early the next day. SO your tired and weary and you get to work and open your email and…. WHAM!!!!
The second reason is we really don’t “Vacate”. We may pretend to, we may even give out responsibilities and delegate, but ultimately, in any job, there are things you have to do, and the reality is – not everything you do will be taken care of completely. Phone calls to return, chains of emails to diagnose and sift through, real mail to open, projects to catch up on quickly, and 101 issues that need to be settled – yesterday! Add to that, many of us spend time away…working. Example – I am sitting in a friends church on Sunday, and mentally and spiritually I am with Concordia, and thinking of my next sermon (which will be pretty interesting – if I do say so myself!) I know that many of us do the same thing, as teachers see something which sets off planning a lesson, businessmen see some thought provoking idea, managers get the odd phone call that makes them concerned for what else is going on….
So what do you do? You grab a moment for prayer, you look at the list… and you write an article!
Seriously, the question of what a vacation is must be considered. Is it time to make up for time lost with our families while we work? Is it a time for respite and restoration and relaxation?
Have wehave lost the ability to slow down (or maybe I just have) to relax and read and rest?
To be still and know that we aren’t God, and that He will see us through.
Or maybe a real vacation is found in another way. When our “family” gathers around the altar. Sabbath, or Shabbatt means rest. Our God commanded us to keep this part holy, to keep it set apart.
Our Sabbath rest time, when we realize that God is not only in charge, but wants us to relax, and play, His children, protected by His might. When all burdens of sin are released, where peace is found in hearing of God’s love, and adoring Him as we sing. When we realize that God’s love unites us, and heals our souls and hearts. When we, with nearly every sense, with every part of our beings, vacate the world and spend time with God. It is the closest we get to heaven, yet somehow still are here.
In many ways, I am glad to be “home”, and yet, our home on this Tuesday, is still 119 hours away….and may well last for eternity.
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