While my children were growing up, trips to the beach were typically an annual summer travel destination for our family. We always had a tiresome fun time and my heart smiles each time we share memories of our time spent together at the Atlantic ocean.
Travel bags were stuffed with all the necessary (and not so necessary) items for a few short days of listening to some Beach Boys music, eating delicious seafood and riding some waves. Our three children were all four years apart in age so a variety of items were packed.
There were several years of diapers, a pack n’ play, stroller, a high chair and a few other necessary survival items. Towels, hats, sunglasses, lip balm with sunscreen, toiletries, swimsuits, extra clothes and shoes, an umbrella, chairs, rafts, coolers, flip flops, a few good books (kidding) and heavens, don’t forget the sand toys! How many of those did we really need? The kids were responsible for packing prized possessions they thought were crucial for the trip. The Seay tribe gave new meaning to the idiom "everything except the kitchen sink".
Dad: Load up kids! We are ready to go!
Kids: Are we there yet? I’m hungry. I have to pee. He won’t leave me alone. Dad, tell her to stop it.
Mom: Y’all, PLEASE go to sleep!!
Finally, we arrive at our home away from home for a week of vacation and some fun in the sun. Merriam Webster dictionary defines vacation as a period spent away from home or business in travel or recreation; a scheduled period during which activity is suspended.
Someone please tell me why it is called vacation!!
Sunscreen was an absolute must to keep the fair-toned family of mine from sun-scream. Extra layers of Coppertone on the nose, shoulders and oh yes, the feet. OUCH! I should have been more responsible. No worries-I packed aloe vera, Solarcaine and Noxzema.
Weighed-down, slow-moving and sometimes stopping in our tracks for a rest, is a good description of many of our walks to the hot sandy beaches. When the kids were older they were required to carry their own bag and help with the process of choosing a good spot, setting up house and getting organized.
FINALLY, play time! At sundown, if everyone was cranky and irritable, then it was indeed a wonderful day at the beach.
When the children grew older, they were given the task of packing their own bag. Interesting that when they had to take the responsibility their bags became lighter. Maturity and having to choose and carry your own stuff has a way of changing your ideals.
All three are now married, packing their own bags and vehicles traveling to the beach with their family. My husband and I have been honored to accompany them on some of their journeys and packing for the two of us is now easier and our bags are not as heavy.
I want you to consider a spiritual life application. I think that parents currently in the field of raising children will agree with me that tending to your ‘crops’ is tedious, time-consuming labor.
Fear, bitterness, sadness, jealousy, failures, sickness, anxiety, financial strain, forgiveness, difficult or wayward children…you fill in the blank. Maybe you are a single parent trying your best to survive the years of raising children. The cares and struggles that we face living in this world can and will leave us exhausted.
Oftentimes we are weighed down with extras that create our bags to be heavier than we expected. Such times are opportunities for us to realize our dependence on the Lord for spiritual refreshment.
Psalm 23:2 says: He lets me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside quiet waters (CSB).
God met David’s spiritual needs.
Yes, my trips to the beach are different now. As a woman whose life changes and deepens with each phase, I am confident that one thing will never change. The Sovereign God of this universe will continue to meet my every need and therefore, my load will be lighter.
What’s in your bag? Your future trips to the beach-consider your faith and how you can lighten the load.