“What is that
noise?!?!” Eyebrows elevated. Nervous smiles spread. Questioning looks
exchanged.
The greater the
speed, the louder the groan. No warning lights on the dash. No external signs of
steel bending or falling apart.
The verdict: The
strap holding the golf clubs to the ceiling of the car cut the wind, whining
ferociously the faster we drove. No need to stop. No need to assess the
security of the strap job. Oh no! Just plow forward, Griz-Wallaces! Load checks
through the sunroof every few seconds will do the trick. Raise your voice a bit
if you have something to say, and we’re good to go! And pray that nothing goes flying from the roof when we hit the beltway!
Never a dull
moment. For that I am thankful, actually. Most of the time. Although, a dull
moment every once in a while is a glorious thing. But if it lasts too long,
then it’s wrong. Something feels off. The way I feel when a vacation leaves me
out of my groove with God. Off.
Morning quiet
times filled with extra hours of sleep. Solitary time with God replaced with
home-cooked hot breakfast, family banter, and pressure to get to the attraction
of the day. God doesn’t go anywhere. It’s me. In taking a week off from life as
I know it, I find myself neglecting the very things that make life anywhere
worth living. Even life on vacation.
I find myself
feeling a bit empty. Agitated. In need of His peace. In need of a return.
He beckons.
His grace calls. He opens my eyes to His glory all around me. To His presence
always there. To Him. And to the fact that it’s not a designated time of day or
amount of time spent with Him that keeps me close. It’s a constant awareness of
Him. A constant turning to Him. A constant dialogue. A heart turned to Him no
matter where I am or what schedule I keep. And making time, even if it’s just a
little, to read His word. To absorb His truth. To sit with Him at the start of
my day so the rest of my day can reflect Him.
Snow falls.
Flames dance in the fireplace. Elly builds snowmen on the balcony railing. The
older girls read Christian novels on their various electronic devices. Ryan details his latest
business idea, while James practices his golf swing in the bedroom. It’s a tame
Griz-Wallace day. Our last day in Lake Tahoe. Nowhere to go. Nothing to do.
I smile.
Inside and out.
God is good.
His mercy endures forever. He is slow to anger and quick to forgive. His grace
awaits where our pride would hold a grudge. He is ever present when we are quick
to jump ship. His arms wide open when ours are crossed in defiance.
It is an
invitation to return. His goodness for my repentance (Romans 2:4). His kindness
that I might seek His forgiveness and His face. A reminder that no matter what
the intensity of extended togetherness reveals about our family dynamics, no
matter how many do-over moments that togetherness demands, I want to extend the
same to my Griz-Wallace family. Every quirky one of them.
Lord, please
continue Your sanctifying work in me, on vacation and as we settle back into our routine. Make me more wholly
Yours every day.
Shauna
Wallace
Holy His
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