Bring Your Faith on Vacation
We just returned from a week at the beach. We spent Easter in Florida and had a great week. Here are some helpful suggestions to strengthen not only family bonds but your personal faith. My daughter once said, “fancy vacations might give you more experiences, but it doesn’t mean you will have fun.” What is truly fun is the laughter, the joy, the small moments that make a lifetime of memories. When you think you need to provide the perfect vacation, remember to think again about the purpose of your week away, it is to connect with God and be renewed.
Find a church you like to attend during vacation. We decided to return to where we went to because we loved the Catholic Church we visited two years ago. It was full of beautiful music, warm greetings, and it was the perfect way to kick off our trip.
Bring others along- We had a teen that wasn’t Catholic with us, but he “enjoyed” learning our Easter traditions and understanding better what it means to be a Catholic Family. Please don’t run from these opportunities but embrace them to share your faith.
What are your plans for the week? Remember to set realistic expectations: We went on a beach vacation, a week of R & R. What I did on the beach was the questions… We chose to play with the kids, watch the ocean, and read some great books. I used this as an opportunity to catch up on some thought-provoking content, such as books on Self-Management and even faith.
Don’t forget to say thank you to God for everything. Our youngest was walking down the beach, and she said, “Isn’t God so great? Look at everything he made, even the beach and the ocean.” Her little reflection was the perfect reminder for all of us to say thank you every day to the Lord. It is important to remember that throughout life’s most significant trials and even most rewarding blessings, it is essential to be grateful and display this attitude. It also makes you a better travel companion. “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” I Thes. 5:18 or “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil 4: 6-7
Make time for Great Conversations! Creat time to talk to your children and asset what their needs are and possibly areas you need to improve back at home. When you remove yourself from your day-to-day trials… you can gain a better perspective.
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- We met other Christians and discussed our mutual love for Christ in the hot tub.
- The car trip or plane ride makes for an excellent opportunity to connect.
- Remember to take advantage of eating together in the evening while on Vacation- no sporting events to run off to, but rather this is an opportunity to connect.
- Storytelling is a great way to not only share your own family culture and traditions but a great way for your children to learn more about you.
5.UnPlug– Seriously, unplug, just do it! Let your brain rest; let your mind relax and refocus on the present moment. I do a lot of social media as part of my job, and it felt great to walk away from it for a week and be renewed!
Your Vacation Doesn’t Need to Break the Bank: Many of these same principles can occur in modest and simple vacations such as visiting old friends, doing a “house swap with another family for a week, spending a night or two away camping or just declaring “stay-cation”.
Lastly, the Vacation isn’t made in the food you eat, the place you stay, or the experiences you pay for it is an opportunity to be renewed in your love of God, family, and some real relaxation.