Can I pack one more thing?

va⋅ca⋅tion

 [vey-key-shuhn, vuh-]   

–noun  a period of suspension of work, study, or other activity, usually used for rest, recreation, or travel /// freedom or release from duty, business, or activity.   AKA:  Holiday  (from www.dictionary.com)

How I do love "holiday"!  (Reminds me of an English woman named Julia I met on a plane who was "on a bit of a holiday")  Vacation and travel is one of my favorites.  I want to pack everything; never know what you'll need when you get there.  I usually end up wishing I'd packed light as Doug suggested, AGAIN!  God couldn't have put two more opposite people together (God has such humor).  I love the drive to the destination.  I like to absorb the scenery (especially nature stuff - it's where I connect most with Jesus), experience other towns, take my time getting there.  My husband, on the other hand, is a man on a mission.  Get to the destination with as few stops as possible (taking as few minutes as possible too).  Which leads me to my point (and not much to do with any of that)...

As we prepare for vacation this year, I'm left with one resounding thought that I cannot seem to shake: What about the precious children in Africa at the Care Points I saw 3 years ago?  I have never been able to shake their faces from my mind, and I don't want to.  I have the luxury (and I do mean luxury) of "suspending my work and regular activity" with a bit of rest, relaxation and outright fun each year.  I get to see other places, faces, and taste new things.  These precious children don't have vacations every year; most never have a vacation.  No Disney World; no SeaWorld; no Grand Canyon or beach trips...  The places and faces don't change for the most part, and praise God, the Care Points there are serving their little taste buds a hot meal.  For some, it's the only meal of the day.  Wow, what a thought!!  I am incredibly spoiled.  Thinking of previous trips, how many times have I complained or grumbled about the weather wasn't perfect or "I wanted to eat at this place" and on & on!!

So this year, I want to see things from a different perspective.  Instead of going into my "bit of a holiday" expecting to be richly rewarded as if I actually deserve to be lavishly anything'd... whatever?!..., I want to see it through the eyes of blessing.  To see that it's not a right, but a privilege, an honor, a luxury to even be able to go.  To see that I don't have to pack just one more thing.  I can pack light.  Light enough to not only eagerly anticipate sharing time with family this year but having my heart, ears and eyes open to what God has to show me.  Oh, may I never look at vacation the same again...