The whole outside world felt really
far away. Political campaigns and conventions and facebook debates fell
entirely off of our radar. I felt humbled and small as I walked beneath
towering palm trees and took in breath-taking sunsets. My littles were beside
themselves excitedly eager to play at the water’s edge. Dad and the bigs released
seemingly ever-present tension as they turned off their phones and left the
demands of work and schedules behind.
The littles were outside from dawn until the very last rays of sun
tucked themselves beyond the ocean’s end. They invented games involving wild sea
animals and chopsticks they took home as souvenirs from one of my favorite
sushi stops. They scavenged daily for geckos lurking around the house. They
cheered one another on as they ran onto shore from the crashing waves and would
collectively shout for joy when they spotted “dada” or “bubba” catching waves
on their surfboards.
These few days away reminded me how
we were all created with a deep, unrelenting desire to seek stillness. Often,
time tucked away from the clanging cymbals of this world result in an intimate
encounter with our Creator. He gently reminds us of his love through the beauty
of creation. When we are still before Him, we are able to lean into the quiet
whispers of truth. No matter how unsteady this world feels,
He is sovereign and steadfast.
I want to teach my children to seek adventure and abundant life. I
want them to know that this Jesus we serve is wholly good and full of gracious
love. I want them to remember vacations like this
one and know that joy and laughter are signs of life and light and are
desperately needed in this aching world. I want them to pour forth love in every
encounter with others and to seek beauty at every turn.
And, I want them to know that an escape to the islands on a whim
with four kiddos is FAR FROM EASY and we can each be a jerk at any random time
of day (and we were). Yet, the memories we made together are absolutely worth every
ounce of effort.
