First, I learned that each family is created uniquely. And that is a good thing. They all have their own way of doing things. Some live out of their suitcases the entire time while others unpack everything and put it in drawers and closets. Some stack their shoes nice and neat while others find one flip flop under the couch and the other floating in the pool. Some shower every day and some (mostly kids) think a dip in the river constitutes as a shower. Some get darker by the sun, others get golden and some just fry. Some like grape jelly and some like strawberry. Some like to inch their way into the cold water and others just dive in. Some kids eat everything in sight while mine remain the pickiest eaters of all. Some are night owls and others, like myself, are yawning by 10 p.m. Some drink coffee for a boost of energy and some drink a diet Dr. Pepper to start the day off. My point is that we are all different and I love that! It is about taking those differences and making it work. Sometimes you take a little and other times you give a lot. It may not always be your way but your way may not be the best way. We were all placed together with a common interest and were able to enjoy ourselves. God asks us to love one another. Such an important commandment and probably one of the hardest for us to keep. But God has his fingerprints all over us and I am thankful that we are all created in His image. Though we are uniquely made we are put together to do this thing called life. So thankful I can enjoy life with some great families.
Secondly, I learned that there are still people out there who value family and marriage. I was able to spend 5 days with people who love their spouses and actually enjoy being with them. Together, they create something dynamic that can take on the world and its challenges. These special bonds are passed on to their children. You saw a group of kids who actually didn't mind hanging with their parents. I know this could change at any time but I love to embrace the moment and wish I could freeze it still. And because our hearts are so full, it is easy to give the excess to the kids who aren't even ours. There were a lot of laughs and a lot of smiles along the way. Every couple looked out for each other's kids like they were their own. Isn't this what the Lord wants us to do? He asks us to carry each other's burdens and to encourage one another. We have to look out for each other. I have many friends who I didn't go on vacation with that are a great example of this also. Sure, there will be times when we don't always agree and we may get on each other's nerves but we are called to carry each other through the twist and turns of life. There will be circumstances where you will need a community of people who think the way you do, love the way you do and pray the way you do. It brings me joy to know there are people in my life who value the same things that I do.
Lastly, I was reminded that God didn't just created the Heavens and the Earth. He created me to enjoy His creation and to take care of it. I have never been one to want to travel the world but there is so much I haven't seen. I was taken back by the beautiful country in Leakey and Garner. We couldn't have asked for a better vacation spot. We got to wake up every morning to trees and mountains and all the sounds the animals make. On the morning of our 14th wedding anniversary Bryan and I got to sit on the front porch and drink coffee and just talk. We talked about the blessings in our life and how God is just so amazing! The God who created such beautiful scenery also created the man who was sitting beside me in a rocking chair. I was reminded just how much I love Bryan even after 16 years together. There was no one else in that moment that I wanted sitting beside me enjoying all that God had created. When I look into Bryan's eyes, I see my two brown-eyed boys and my heart is full. We got to enjoy, as a family, what God made. God is so good to us!
What a great vacation! Thank you Lord for being the creator of the universe. Thank you Lord for supplying my every need and giving me extra to be able to enjoy this beautiful land. Thank you for people who aren't like me in every way but are like me in so many good ways. Thank you for our unique DNA but also for the same hearts who long after you. Thank you for new adventures but also for the common ground we walk on. God is great, friends are good, and people are crazy!
Until we meet again Frio River!
Hope
No comments:
Post a Comment