Adam and I have always loved road trips. Nine years ago when we were engaged, we drove from our school in Montana to my parents’ house in Chicago. After two weeks of wedding planning, we drove down to his parents’ house in Florida. We put a lot of miles on his Ford Explorer and spent hours talking about our future together.
We’ve done many road trips since then and this Saturday we’ll start another one—1100 miles from our house to my mom’s in Michigan. We can’t wait! Of course, we travel heavier these days, with three car seats in the back of our minivan and a pod on top. And we’ll probably be listening to Veggie Tales and passing out Happy Meals instead of talking about the future.
But maybe that’s a good thing. There’s a time to make plans, to analyze where you are in life and who you want to become. But there’s also a time to forget about all that and just enjoy God’s beautiful world. Our house has been a little too serious lately and we’re all ready to leave it behind for a while. My mom’s house will be full of family, and that means long, sometimes loud conversations, lots of laughing, and a *healthy* amount of junk food.
My mom’s neighborhood also happens to be gorgeous. Tall, leafy trees, cottagey-style homes, and a sweet little park that our kids love. And then there’s the beach—white sand, clear water, and more tall trees lining the bluff. It’s the kind of place where even the busiest, most stressed out person can’t help but stop and take a deep, soothing breath.
But everyone knows that peace based on circumstances doesn’t last. It’s possible to exhale all your stress and let it slip right back over your head a few minutes later, even on a beautiful beach.
Last Sunday in church Pastor Matt mentioned a book by Tim Keller called The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness. Adam and I immediately looked at each other and said, “We need that book.” It’s a quick read, almost too quick, but I’ll be thinking about it for a long time. At one point Keller talks about the misery we create when we constantly evaluate ourselves based on what we see around us. The result is either puffed up pride or trashed self-esteem. Then he says “…the essence of gospel-humility is not thinking more of myself or thinking less of myself, it is thinking of myself less… True gospel-humility means I stop connecting every experience, every conversation, with myself.” Keller says it’s then possible to experience “the blessed rest that only self-forgetfulness brings.”
We’re heading off on a road trip, a break from our usual routine at home. Maybe it can even be a break from that continual loop between experience and self. A chance to look at the beauty around us and the family we love so much and simply connect it all to the God who has generously blessed us. It sounds heavenly.
I hope you all have a great and relaxing time together with you family! May the road be swift and the days stretch long to hold all the goodness. Can’t wait to see the photos! Your mom’s cottage always sounds to me like a Kincade painting.
It sort of is like a Kincaid painting. And thanks! We’ll have to do a girls night when we get back. =)
Have a great time!! Truly enjoy and be safe!!! Let go!! Eat junk food and JUST ENJOY THE MOMENT!! I am super excited about MOPS next year. Just around the corner. Hard to believe your baby will be 10 months old by the time mine gets here!!
Blessings!
I’m so excited for you and your family!
Funny you wrote about road trips. I was thinking of you today as we stopped at Warren Dunes with our boys on the tail end of a 2,000 mile road trip that took us to a national park, a funeral, and, of course, an emergency room. We decided to stop at the dunes to decompress and connect with the sky, water and sand. I thought of you and I, so many years ago, on that same stretch of beach, and smiled.
Jen
Oh my… sounds like quite a trip! I’m glad you got back to the Dunes. Too bad we weren’t around to meet up with you! Hope you guys are doing well. =)
I love road trips. We live about 8 hours from family and I always look forward to our time in the car together.
Loved your blog post, maybe I need to pick up that book too.
Thanks for reading! You can get the Kindle edition of the book for 99 cents. So worth it. =)
Oh have a wonderful time in Shorewood, I so wish that we could be there too…
We love you guys x
We wish you could be there too! Love you!