Vacation Lesson

We are on a family vacation this week! I am loving the quality family time and, of course, all of the beach time! It took us about 11 hours to make the drive - during which we drove through the Smokey Mountains. During our drive, I couldn't help recalling, so vividly, the amazing marriage lesson that I learned the last time we drove through these same mountains! I wrote about it in my book, but the lesson is one that I often reflect on and so I thought I would share it again here:

A few weeks ago when our family was on vacation, the Lord taught me a powerful lesson. While we were driving through the night, Jason pulled over at 2:30 a.m. and asked if I would drive for a while because he was getting sleepy. I agreed, we hit the road, and Jason fell asleep quickly. I didn’t tell him at the time, but I was freaking out. We were in the mountains of North Carolina where it was not only dark, but also very rainy. Because we had rented a car, I found myself in an SUV that I had never driven before. It was packed so full that I couldn’t even see out the rear-view mirror. I was trying to navigate my way along the unfamiliar, winding roads while learning where certain controls (such as the wipers and headlights) were located on the car.

 

  My knuckles were white as my eyes darted from the side mirrors, to the road, to the GPS, and then to my family. I think a large part of my fear was the fact that my beloved husband, precious daughter, and wonderful little dog were all sleeping peacefully in the car. I felt so much stress and pressure knowing that their safety— indeed, their very lives—were in my hands. Each decision I made, each turn I took, led my family somewhere, and I prayed that I wouldn’t make any costly mistakes. While talking to Jesus along the road, I heard Him speak into my heart. He shared with me that what I was experiencing at that moment is what Jason experiences all the time as the leader of our home. Wow! I contemplated that for several days, and then finally asked Jason if that truly is how he feels. His response was an immediate, “Yes, all the time. Constantly.”

 

  His response was quite sobering for me. You see, if I were asked, I would admit that I view myself as dancing through life. And while I may have stressful times and feel outside pressures, it certainly isn’t a continual burden, and it is nothing in comparison to the weight of knowing that the well-being of my entire family rests on my shoulders. My challenge is to remember that valuable experience and do whatever I can to help Jason carry the weight. Since he is the provider and protector of the family, I can’t remove all the pressure from him. I can, however, come alongside him and serve as his partner, ready to help him in whatever capacity he needs, using my words to build him up and thank him for all he does.

 

Precious Lord, I pray that my eyes would be open to the pressures that my husband experiences on a daily basis. Encourage me to support him in whatever capacity he needs. I pray that I would never make his job as provider and protector harder than it already is, but that I would be mindful of his sense of responsibility and look for ways to build him up. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.