Recently I spent 7 days in beautiful South Carolina with some of my closest writing friends, including my two talented mentors–Susan May Warren & Rachel Hauck.
I had an amazing time in a gorgeous house set on the Intercoastal Waterway where tranquility reigns and responsibilities waned. For 7 days I had no alarm clock, no tugs on my hip, no “Mom, where’s my …. ” or “Honey, have you seen my…” And you know what? I missed it.
Getting away refreshed my spirit and enabled me to bond with my writing friends, but there’s no place like home.
By the time I passed through security and waited at my gate for my flight to take me north, excitement danced in the pit of my stomach. I couldn’t wait to see my husband, my sons, and my Little Darlings again.
But, of course, come Friday morning, I was missing the tranquility of the retreat house. After I had arrived home and looked back to my vacation, it seemed as though time had flown by way too fast. I had a temporary stay in South Carolina, but my permanent address was 15 hours north of The Palmetto State.
God’s Word tells us our time on earth is temporary. Although we may think living 80 or 90 years is a long time, it’s just a speck in God’s time.
For those believers who know Him and love Him, He is eagerly awaiting our arrival in our heavenly home. If I consider the beach a paradise, imagine when I walk with God on the streets of gold in His paradise.
Your Turn: Have you gone away and left your family at home? What did you enjoy most? What did you miss? Where is your favorite place on earth?
I know just what you mean, although usually when I go out of town, my husband goes with me…and home is where he is, in many ways. I always hate to see a vacation end, but if they went on forever, we wouldn't appreciate them as much when they do come up. 🙂
Hehe, yes, I have gone away…in fact, I was with you in South Carolina last week. 🙂 Such a good week…I loved every moment!! And unlike you, honestly, I sat in the airport with my stomach churning…I wasn't ready to return to "real life." (Probably helps that I'm not married with kids.) But I like what Lindsay said above – that if vacations lasted forever, we wouldn't appreciate them as much. So, I'm soooo thankful for the awesome week in S.C…and can't wait for my next getaway.
My favorite place on earth: Home-home with my parents and siblings. 🙂
Just ACFW (and sadly for a funeral). But I have to say, this is my kind of getaway! Glad you were able to be restored and refreshed!
~ Wendy
That retreat sounds amazing to these Mama ears of mine, but I agree, there is nothing like coming home after a time away from my family. Last month my sister had her first baby and she was 900 miles away, so my parents gave me a round trip ticket to spend four days with her. I loved every minute of my time with her and the new little man, but I was ready to come home – probably because it wasn't really like a retreat, more a working vacation!
I love getting away, when time means nothing and you bask in the friendships around you. But I also enjoy coming back home and getting into routine (this from someone who hates routine!)
I'm rdg. this late, but better late than never. I was pleasantly shocked when in So. America on a major 3 1/2 mo. mission trip that I stood by a jungle river facing north, praying for the son who wasn't w/ me (one was), and my students, and found I most missed and realized I most loved the one usually causing me "the most trouble." I learned a lot from that.