Vacations

The Red Dog Saloon is located in Juneau, Alaska and it has a pretty interesting and scandalous reputation - as I'm sure you can imagine without my embellishment. This is the closest I dared to get - didn't even peek inside. But as I was going through my pictures and wondering what to blog about on this beautiful Monday morning I couldn't help but think that vacations are a little bit like the entrance to that saloon.

A vacation is intended to be a doorway to rest and recreation. A getaway. We certainly experienced that on our vacation. We went with my sister and her husband so we had the privilege of enjoying not only the time away in a beautiful place but also the fellowship of family. Double blessing.

Alaska is a place of rugged beauty - a far cry from the flatlands and heat of urban Dallas, Texas - which was a constant reminder to us of the creative majesty of God and His remarkable gift to mankind. He could have made the entire earth alike and yet He chose to give us diversity and contrast. Vacations are meant to give us a chance to experience new things and to recognize God's hand in providing enjoyment to our lives.

We went on a cruise - so we were pampered. It was wonderful to have someone else worry about the details of life that so occupy mankind. No yard to worry about. No beds to make or dishes to wash. Not one thought about what to cook - only where and what to eat. No deadlines. No alarm clocks, no internet and no cell phone. The things we thought we couldn't live without became distant in our thought processes.

And then along came MONDAY. Billy just left. He is returning to his world and I am left in mine. And if we aren't careful the rest of last week will turn to the drudgery of this one. Vacations are just that - vacations. A respite from the world - not a capitulation to it.

Just as that door to the Red Dog is a portal that must be opened to leave the safety of good reason and prudence; so the thought life is a doorway and we must carefully consider what we allow to enter our hearts and minds. Vacations are a privilege. A privilege that comes from work. Work is a gift. If ever we needed to be reminded of that it is today with rampant unemployment and so many we love struggling to make a living or find a job. And while it would be easy to hunker down and complain about coming back to the 'real' world, I must CHOOSE instead to be grateful for the rest. Grateful for the beauty. Grateful for the fellowship. Grateful for the opportunity. Grateful for safety. Grateful for a home to come back to. GRATEFUL.

Gratitude is the doorway to praise and praise is the home of God Himself. He INHABITS the praise of His people. While I didn't even open the door to the Red Dog, I have to admit I have pined for my cruise ship. But this morning in the beauty of the day and a husband off to provide a living, I choose to snap shut the door that leads to darkness and turn to the light of this bright new Monday. To turn my thoughts to the wonderful memories made, the wonderful sights that were seened and to tackle the things set before me with renewed vigor and joy.

I pray that your week is one of His rest - wherever you may be or whatever you put your hand to. Give thanks!