When You Don’t Want the Vacation to End

photo courtesy Christina Fox

photo courtesy Christina Fox

photo courtesy Christina Fox

There is something about a vacation that makes the heavy burdens of life fall off our backs. Everything seems brighter and clearer. The senses are heightened as we take in the beauty of God’s creation. Getting away is often restorative not only physically, but spiritually as well.

God somehow seems closer the farther from home I get.

I was gone for three weeks this summer. To be honest, I didn’t want to return home (and I live in the land of vacations!). I didn’t want to lose the closeness to God I had experienced while away. I didn’t want the burdens of life to creep back on my shoulders. I didn’t want the peace in my heart to fade.

But does it really have to?

Do those burdens which weigh me down really have to return?

I don’t believe so.

The same sense of calm we feel on vacation can be with us every day. The same connection we feel with God while away exploring His creation can be with us at home as well. The same awareness of the world around us, the tastes, sounds, and smells, can be with us everyday–not just on vacation.

Because wherever God is, there also is our peace and joy. He is not only with us on vacation, He’s with us everywhere and all the time. He longs to carry our burdens and not just on our summer vacation, but each and every single day.

Ways to keep summer vacation in your heart all year round:

1. Live in the moment: Appreciate the time spent with family or friends, not focusing on the past or the future, but enjoying the present. Be attentive to all the gifts of God’s grace around you. Savor the tastes, enjoy the smells, and appreciate the sounds of life as they happen.

2. Release your burdens: Each day, intentionally give over your burdens to God. Release to Him all your worries. Trust Him to handle your trials and struggles. Be in continuous prayer and communion with Him.

3. Cut out what weighs you down and distracts your heart: One of the benefits of vacation is the break from all the little things that burden our lives. Cut back on those little things in your daily life that build up to create heavy burdens. Perhaps reduce computer or tv time. Make life simpler by cleaning out the clutter in your home. Organizing your living space so that it is more functional can allow you to live with more freedom and less stress. Make a goal to fill a bag every month with items for donation. Commit to using your time for what is most important. And then fill the extra time you have by being alone with God, playing with your children, or talking with your spouse.

The peace we feel during a vacation or break from our normal life doesn’t have to stay at the hotel when we leave. It can be with us all the time. Because God is the Source of all our peace and the Great Burden Bearer, we can rest in His presence each and every day of our life. Give Him all your cares and rest in His peace that passes all understanding.

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

“Come to me, all you 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 find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29