Vacations are supposed to be a break from the everyday grind — the constant work–home–work cycle. Have you ever gone on a vacation and not been completely stressed out during the packing, loading of the car, traveling, and reaching your destination? That concentrated amount of stress almost cancels out the relaxation of vacation! Then, you have to do it all over again to get home. Sometimes we need a vacation from the vacation.

Years ago, I decided to be intentional about going on vacation without added stressors of planning & preparing. I started packing a week ahead. I stopped trying to pack for everyone else. I left work at home. I also stopped filling every vacation day with a packed itinerary and made room for quiet times. It was in those quiet moments, that I found space to reflect what had changed in my life, what needed to change, and how I could intentionally pursue joy through simplicity rather than adding more.

Intentionally adjusting the rhythm of daily life to align more closely with God’s purpose requires slowing down, making room to hear Him, and reshaping routines to include times of stillness and spiritual growth — a transformation that brings lasting purpose. Eventually, we discover that we no longer need a vacation to find that peace — a retreat that becomes part of our daily life!

Marcia Gibney,
Director of Recreation Ministry