Vacation

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We leave tomorrow morning for a two-week vacation (therefore there will be no blog next Monday) and I'm amazed at how challenging it is to maintain a good attitude when preparing for such fun. It doesn't really make sense does it? Why do we (well, I) get all stressed out as I prepare to relax, visit, and sightsee?

One of the reasons for me is that I loose sight of whose kingdom I'm building, what I'm to be focused on. As I was driving to the grocery store today, I was reminded that I need to "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness" (Matthew 6:33) in my life. Making all my plans and subsequently pressuring everyone in my family to follow them is NOT building the kingdom of God, it is building the dominion of Tracy. A land of many expectations and little mercy. It definitely isn't a place of grace.

But I want my holiday to be a place of grace for me, my family, and all those we visit. I want it to be a kingdom seeking and building time. So, I will heed Jesus' words and set my sights on seeking His kingdom and His righteousness. When I get this perspective, it makes me really look forward to this vacation (even if I still have to finish packing and get the dishes done before going to bed)!

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