Next week marks the start of a ten day motorcycle trip from our home in Washington State to the Colorado Rockies and back again. It’s called vacation – you know, that thing that brings up visions of rest, relaxation and lazy days. Of course to get from here to there takes an awful lot of hard work. Why do we do that to ourselves? We push so hard getting ready to ‘rest and relax’ we are too tired to enjoy it when we have the opportunity.
I’ve been putting in some long days at the office trying to get ahead, to set things up to ward off any crisis in my absence, and to finish up every loose end so I can return to a clean desk. After long days at work I’m cleaning, washing and packing at home. Add to that the planning out of a couple of Sunday worship programs to make it easy for my team while I’m gone while still maintaining the every day schedule of grandkids, meetings, normal life (if there is such a thing) and I’m pretty much frazzled. My goal is to get away but make it seem like I’m not even gone while at the same time making sure my absence is noted. Is that twisted or what?
I came home extremely exhausted Tuesday night and my husband’s comment was, “You’d better toughen up because we’re going to have some ten hour days on the bike ahead.” Imagine how that perked me up! If you’ve ever motorcycled you know that ten hour days can be brutal. My first thought after his comment was, “unsubscribe me.” I don’t want to wear myself out getting ready to wear myself out.
Do you ever feel like life is just a series of trying to get caught up, set up and psyched up for tomorrow so you can start it all over again when tomorrow gets here? I do, quite often in fact. You don’t have to tell me, dear friends who are reading this right now like Connie and Diane, that I am my own worst enemy.
But, even though I’ll be worn out by departure day, here’s what I’m clinging to, what I know from past experience to be true:
- I won’t be in the kitchen for ten whole days. Someone else will be doing the cooking, the serving and the dishes. That’s a big hallelujah!
- I won’t be driving. I’ll be sitting back enjoying the scenery, making up stories in my head, pondering, telling myself jokes (yes, I do that), hugging my guy now and then just for the heck of it, and letting stress and tension blow off my shoulders and fall to the road behind me.
- I won’t be responsible for making decisions about the route. That’s all mapped out by my husband.
- I won’t be donning high heels, pantyhose and business suits for ten whole days. I’ll be pulling on jeans and t-shirts, hiding my hair under a helmet and looking cool in leather.
- I won’t be rushing from work to a meeting at church then to home, laundry and meal prep. I won’t be rushing anywhere. I’ll be moving at the speed dictated by my ride, breathing deep and smiling the whole time (except maybe on those 10 hour days).
- In the evenings I’ll be settling down in a nice clean motel room, journaling about the great sights and experiences of the day.
- I’ll be spending quantity and quality time with my best friend in all the world, my husband of 45 years, something that gets pushed aside too often.
- I’ll be tired but happy, a little sore but relaxed. And the one thing I won’t be is busy! I’m in a hurry to get to that point (which I realize is an oxymoron).
- And by the way,I won’t be blogging for the next two Mondays or Fridays. When I return I should have some great stuff to share with you though.
I would covet your prayers for good weather, a safe journey and grace moments each day. God always gives me beautiful insight and speaks to me often as we roar along. I’m looking forward to those conversations most of all.
It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones. Psalm 127:2
