Another Good and Perfect Gift … May 2013
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and
cometh down from the Father of Lights,
in Whom is no variableness, neither
shadow of turning.” James 1:17
Have you ever noticed that when the Lord puts something together for you, it’s always better than what you could plan for yourself? Well, this first family vacation of 2013 is one of those times. I learned many years ago that in order for Jimmie to really rest and be refreshed, we need to take him away from home.
God has just “wired” him in such a way that it’s virtually impossible for him to forget all about the hundreds of things that need doing around the home place and just simply rest and relax … unless that myriad of tasks is miles away and out of sight. That being the case, I very faithfully (and with much enjoyment) plan two week-long getaways per year, with a few shorter ones sprinkled here and there.
Having discovered in the last couple years that our family really enjoys water activities (such as jet skis, water-boarding, kayaks, and swimming), several months ago I began planning a late spring trip somewhere on Smith Lake. I carefully perused every rental website I could find, searching for the perfect lake house rental – that gorgeous home right on the lake, complete with sundecks overlooking the water, a beautiful, grassy lawn sloping gently down to the water, a dock for the jet skis, a beautiful view, nice and private, abounding in peace and quiet, with plenty of room for all the family – for an exceptionally good price, of course, that would fit right into our 2-kids-in-college-stressed-budget, preferably without us having to sell one of the children!
Several websites later, realism finally found me. After shaving several of my initial criteria and considerably shortening my wish list, I met with apparent success. Some 6 months ago, we paid the initial fees, satisfied that come May, we would be enjoying the fruits of my well-orchestrated planning efforts, in a terrific waterfront rental home.
You have heard about those best laid plans of mice and men, right? Yes… well … suffice it to say that we had a few unexpected issues to arise … budget-challenging things such as cars suddenly developing life-and-death ailments, undesired but necessary surgery, and other unforeseen family needs requiring monetary outflow - first this, then that, then the other.
Slowly – but very surely – we saw the savings we’d set aside for vacation dwindle more and more, until it became obvious that this vacation rental no longer “fit right into our 2-kids-in-college-stressed budget.” The shocking truth became unmistakably apparent. If we were going to pay the balance due on our wonderful vacation home, we would, indeed, need to sell one of the children!
Although perhaps momentarily tempted, reason and good sense asserted itself, and we decided against the child-selling proposition. It was with no small degree of disappointment, however, that we began entertaining the sad realization that our best laid plans had gone the way everyone’s plans occasionally go … asunder! But while we set about canceling our trip, the Lord was working out something else altogether – and we went straight from a seeming disappointment into one of God’s good and perfect surprise gifts!
At this moment, I am sitting on a lovely sundeck, adorned with beautiful blooming plants, overlooking a gently sloping lawn, charming gazebo, and alluring lake waters lapping the shore. Added to the sounds of the water are the chirping of birds and the occasional motor hums and laughter from passing boats. I’m pleasantly tired, and completely relaxed, enjoying the sights and sounds, and the pleasure of writing it all down to enjoy again in later years. It’s been a wonderful day – our second full day at the lake.
The first day, we found our way here, launched the skis, and enjoyed getting settled in, our three sons topping the day off with a night-time kayaking exploration voyage. Yesterday, after a lazy sleep-in morning, Jimmie served me delicious fresh fruit , yummy muffins, and steaming coffee on the sundeck, followed by jaunts on the jet skis, kayaking adventures, a trip into the nearest town to stock up on groceries, and a late-evening movie together, to cap it all off. Each day has been top-notch wonderful, and yet the next has somehow been even better, with today being the absolute best of the best; it just doesn’t get any better than this!
After a late breakfast (with sons still sleeping off their all-nighter, brother-bonding fun and games), Jimmie and I took off on the jet skis. So much fun! After at least an hour, we began to feel somewhat guilty about hogging the skis, so we headed back to the dock. Sure enough, the boys were awake and ready to get out on the water. That was perfectly fine with me, though, because I had a plan.
There’s an island within sight of our dock, which we’d explored somewhat on the jet skis. However, we’d spotted lots of shallow water shoreline areas that would need the kayaks to fully explore and appreciate. When I suggested we take the kayaks and paddle all around the island, the response was, “Do you know how long that would take?!” My ready answer was, “What else do you have to do today? Absolutely nothing!” So I hurried into the kitchen and packed a lunch and a jug of water. In short order, the two of us were off on another kayak adventure.
The next 3-4 hours were spent paddling across the wide expanse of water to the island, then making our way all around it. We paddled into swamp-grass areas with lots of water-oak-type trees, reminding me of areas along the coast of Florida, startling waterfowl in their secluded habitat. Finding the perfect picnic spot, we tied up the kayaks and enjoyed a break from paddling.
I took to the water for a nice, long swim while Jimmie explored the island on foot a while. He then joined me for a short swim, but decided the water was a bit too chilly for him! The only thing we failed to bring was a blanket, but we made do by sitting on our life vests, and could easily have drifted off to sleep. Jimmie leaned against a big tree, I leaned on him, and it was so quiet and peaceful – our own deserted island - even if only for the afternoon. Rested and refreshed, we climbed aboard and headed back.
After arriving back from our expedition, all my men-folk took off on water boards and jet skis, while I opted to relax on the deck, and write my vacation memoirs, thus far. Tonight, Hannah and Mii will join us, and there’ll be lots more memories to make. Friday night, the rest of the girls are coming – Jamie, Sarah, and Tiff – and they’ll enjoy a bit of time sharing our “good and perfect gift,” before we all head home.
This wonderful gift has been provided by the Lord, as he prompted others of His own to share with us what He has given to them. The accommodations, the setting, the entire package – has been exceedingly more than we could ever have come up with on our own. God’s vacation plan for us was truly above and beyond all that we could ask or think. And it’s all been provided for us with absolutely no strain on our 2-kids-in-college-already-stressed-out-budget!
How good God is!
How much better His plans are than ours!
How very grateful we are!
How very grateful we are!
