Stay-cations

          

 One important aspect of developing a family identity is doing things together.  Family holidays and couple retreats help us bond through shared experiences.  Money doesn't have to be an issue with a stay-cation.
A stay-cation is where you use home as a base for your break, using the money saved on accommodation could be used for activities and easy meals.  We've lived in a number of different cities around Australia and found tourist information centres a great source of ideas.  There are countless free things to do:

•  visit different parks
•  beaches
•  museums
• art galleries
• use the street directory to find new places to go
•  google
•  newspapers.

Get outside away from the electronics and multiple forms of communication for a while, and have a conversation with your family.

We're not born understanding one another, even though we're in the same family.  It takes time and effort to develop rapport.  Shared activities like

•  playing together with board games
• cards
• Wii
•  with a ball outside

 helps us to do this.  Inevitably, funny things happen. Laughing together is great family glue.  Be mindful of not laughing at each other, but with each other.  Fun isn't always spontaneous, with the day to day pressures of family life, so we need to create opportunities.

We have a few rules for stay-cations.
1. No jobs like housework or gardening.  Do these before the weekend.  Use paper plates if necessary.
2. Research and plan some activities.
3. Plan your meals so they're easy, including take away or restaurants

Planning may sound a bit tedious but it does serve a purpose by giving us something to look forward to.  Anticipating is half the fun.  Get the kids involved if it's a family stay-cation.  Ask them what they'd like to do. We were often surprised at what the kids asked for.  They may just like to play a board game, or go on a picnic and play cricket or kick the footy. 

I don't like playing games, especially Monopoly, but if it's a stay-cation, I'll play anything.  We have favourite music we all sing along to, while we play cards.  Now our kids are grown up, the Bee Gees and ELO still trigger happy memories, and we still sing when we play cards.  Kids want our time and attention.  A stay-cation is a great way to give them that.

We plan a break four times a year.  We have a longer holiday at Christmas and in the middle of the year and two weekends.  I love going to Kings Park in September to see the wildflowers.  We make a picnic, buy the newspaper, take a blanket and cushions and lie around under the trees relaxing, enjoying the gloriuos surroundings.  We plan to do things we'd enjoy but don't usually have time for.

By giving ourselves permission to relax, we take the time needed to nurture our relationships, build a family identity and develop ties of fun affection.

Anxious or Thankful

Philippians 4:6 NIV

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

We seem to live in a very anxious world.  There's a lot to be concerned about.  Sometimes our anxieties can consume us and chew up our brain space and energy.  While we're busy worrying, we're distracted from many of the tasks of life. But what can we do?

Cognitive behaviour therapy can be useful to retrain our minds.  We can develop a difference response to a situation, with practice and discipline.  We don't have control over all the things we might be anxious about, but we can choose how we will respond.  What does the bible have to say about this cognitive behaviour therapy mumbo jumbo?

I beleive God is quite a fan.  Romans 12:2 tells us we can be transformed by the renewing of our minds.

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will." If we want to change, we're going to have to think new stuff.  What should we be thinking?

Philippians 4:8 NIV

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. 

There's a great start for us to be transformed.  God also wants us to have his peace, and not be anxious about anything.  it's a tall order, but He didn't leave us ignorant about how to do this.  We worry and feel anxious because we don't know what'sgoing to happen next.  What if... then what...  God is asking us to bring those anxieties and concerns to him through prayer, and with thanksgiving.  What would that look like?

We have our own business.  When I heard the news about another economic downturn, I admit I did feel anxious.  I've spent quite a bit of time worrying about our son's future, and who will care for him when we're gone.  What if I get hurt doing something, like a car accident, and can't work or care for Andrew.  You can think ofplenty of your own worries, I'm sure.  But yesterday God gave me a new insight about how I am to handle this.

The scripture about being anxious for nothing came to mind and it seemed like for the first time I got the connection to rest of the verse.  I was not to be anxious BUT be thankful.  So instead of worrying to myself, I can pray and thank God for our business and His provision.  I can thank God forAndrew's life and his future.  I can thank god that I am well and able to work.  I can reframe my anxieties into prayers of thanks.

Thankfulness not only retrains my mind with a bit of a distraction, but it also acknowledges that god is in control.  I can trust him to take care of the things I'm anxious about.  While I'm worrying, I'm forgetting that God has a plan for me, He sees what's going on, and I am in his care.  He's capable.

Who Are We When Nobody's Looking

This weekend we've enjoyed a 'stay-cation'.  It's like a vacation at home.  We plan activites we'll enjoy, eat out and enjoy leisurely, delicious breakfasts.  We also wagged church, so we could wake up late and read the paper.  I needed some milk to make pancakes, so Paul kindly offered to pop out.  On the way home, someone was driving impatiently, speeding, tailgating and generally trying to bully Paul into speeding. 

Paul noticed the guy was wearing a shirt and tie.  Nobody around here wears ties much, especially on weekends, unless they're going to church.  Paul wondered if this crazy driver would turn into the church he passed on the way home.  As he drove past the church, the guy behind him kept driving past, to Paul's surprise.  He was sure he'd be going to church dressed like that.  As they passed the church, Paul turned off to come home, then a funny thing happened.

After Paul turned off, he looked in his rear view mirror and saw the guy make a u-turn and go back and turn into the church.  We wondered what he was thinking.  He was most likely ashamed of the way he had been driving, and didn't want to declare his faith.  He didn't want Paul to know he was a Christian.  It's interesting what we'll do when we think nobody is watching, but there's always somebody watching, right.

Who are we when we think we won't get caught?  If nobody knows, it doesn't count.  But God is everywhere, and sees everything.  Everything counts.  We need to behave with integrity at all times.  Our life, whether we say anything or not, is our witness and our testimony to God's work in our life.  We are called to
shine as lights in the world.


Psalm 121:3,4
He will not let your foot slip—
   he who watches over you will not slumber;
⁴ indeed, he who watches over Israel
   will neither slumber nor sleep

Philipaians 2:15
That you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,