Afterthoughts
A few thoughts about our last big rv trip…
While this last trip was amazing and we saw more than any of us could have expected, it had a different vibe from last year’s, which is to be expected because no two trips are the same and these had completely different focuses.
But what Justin and I both felt, which we discussed in great length, was that we both felt that God wasn’t in this trip like He was last year.
And that matters.
If you’ve ever listened to The Bible Recap, then you know Tara-Leigh Cobble always ends each segment by saying, “He’s where the joy is.”
In one lesson I listened to recently, she ended it a little differently by saying:
“There wasn’t much joy in today’s reading, was there? And do you know why? Because there wasn’t much God.”
Even when God isn’t the center of it all, things can go as we want them to, but there isn’t the underlying unending joy that is found when God is sought after.
And that’s how I feel about our last trip.
It was amazing. Breathtaking. Some in the camper would say, “Epic!”
And it was, but the thing Justin and I both noticed when we came back was that something was off.
And we both know exactly what it was.
Last year’s trip, we were seeking God is all the places, whether on the mountain tops and gorges or in the ways our kids were interacting with one another.
Every corner was a chance to see God’s handiwork or how He was moving in our lives.
But not this trip.
And that’s not to poo-poo on the trip, because it really was wonderful, but how much better could it have been had our heart posture been different?
If we had asked God what He wanted us to see rather than telling Him our plans and hoping He came along, then quickly thanking Him at the end of the day?
There’s no doubt God was with us, because isn’t He always?
It’s more that we weren’t looking for Him.
Our hearts were on what’s in it for us and in the busy of it all, we just kind of left him in the dust.
And I’m sad about that.
It feels off and I don’t like that. I don’t like that for our trip or my family.
So God, correct my heart and put my attention where you want it to be. Focus my energy and love towards what you desire. Be in our planning and guide our decision making and help us to put you at the center of all we do.
A few other reflections…
Visiting cities is cool, but I way prefer the outdoors. I also prefer staying in one spot for a few days versus the get up and go every day. It’s understandable why we did it this way and I’m on board, it’s just a preference. I’m looking forward to a nice three day weekend where we can set up near a lake and just sit.
Call me lazy or unmotivated, but I’m pretty sure any momma out there would agree that sitting in a hammock reading a book while the kids play sounds like a pretty sweet setup.
As I said on an earlier post, this type of travel works for us. We enjoy it, even with all the little irritations that come with being in close quarters with 5 other people for an extended time.
On the last day, it dawned on me though that not all people could do what we do. It would gross some people out (especially when the camper is a wreck like below) or the closeness would drive others insane. But for us, it seems we’ve found our groove and we like it. And for whatever reason, that makes me smile because it’s like we’ve found our niche.
There’s nothing fancy about it, but we also know not everyone gets to do it and we are in a sweet spot where Justin’s work allows us to explore and the kids are at an age where they’re still up for it. We’ll have a teenager next year and who knows how much longer we can convince her she wants to spend time with us. So we’ll take it now while we can get it and cram as much memory-making in as possible.
And this is blowing my mind, but as I type I realize that while it is more exciting to look at what’s happening outside the camper - the cities we’re visiting and the sites we’re seeing - it’s actually what’s going on inside the camper that is of the utmost importance.
The moments of learning how to share. Navigating in cramped quarters. Cleaning up your mess and thinking of those around you. Being agreeable under stressful circumstances. Patience. Oh dear, the patience we all get to practice improving. Respecting space and privacy, even if you’re on the same bench. Learning to look up and out and not in and down. Going with the flow and adapting to changes in plans. Slowing down…
Oh the list could go on and on and I can’t believe I’m just now seeing that I’ve missed this crucial point.
Thank you God for already redirecting my gaze and not overlooking what’s going on inside the camper as we journey to the exciting destinations you have waiting for us in the years to come.
And since we decided to homeschool next year (have I mentioned that yet?), I am relying heavily on lots of these roadtrips, either close by or further away, to set our curriculum and provide activities. So if you have any good road trip ideas, send them my way!
Until then, we’ll continue to figure out how to pack for these trips, how to store things more efficiently, how to cook more meals on the road, and how to make the most of these moments together.
But more than that, we’ll strive to look for God in all the places we visit and in the small seemingly mundane moments in the camper.
We’ll thank God for the ability to travel and see the world He created. For the time we have together, the memories we’re making, and the lessons we’re imparting to our kiddos. It is in the camper where we are given the biggest opportunities to share the love of God with our kids, foster their curiosity, and shape their views and values and I don’t want to overlook or underestimate the importance of any of these moments.
