Take A Summer Vacation...with God

The summer season marks the end of a school year and the beginning of a much-anticipated long break for many school-aged children. As a working "grown up," it's been many years since the last time I enjoyed the pleasure of a two-month vacation. I am a bit envious to hear about the summer plans of my co-workers' children, consisting of camp getaways, weekday afternoons in the park, and unprofitable lemonade stands.

I also miss summer family vacations, which have become more challenging to coordinate as the years go by due to distance, different work schedules, illness, or when other life circumstances intervene.

For all of us who have exceeded the age limit for carefree summers--particularly anyone who needs to work full-time during this warmer season--I invite you to join me in taking a break this summer to plan a vacation with God.

What would it mean for you to go on a vacation with God?

Perhaps you can plan to meet Him somewhere you've always wanted to visit--a quaint monastery, a botanical garden, a church in another town, or another curiosity-inspiring locale.

Or if you already have a vacation lined up, perhaps you can take Him along with you. God is a well-equipped navigator when you need to be directed toward patience and gratitude during an extended road trip or a long wait at the airport.

Or you might opt for a staycation where you can retreat with Him in a familiar place. A nearby destination such as your backyard, the library, or a park can provide the possibility of rediscovering a comfortable place close to home.

There are endless possibilities for how you can take a vacation with God. Research has shown that planning and anticipating a trip can often bring you more happiness than taking the trip itself. I challenge you to plan AND take a vacation with God this summer--for an afternoon, a weekend, or a longer break if you are fortunate to have the time.

Soon enough, summer will end and all the kids will return to school. And when summer makes way for fall, I believe that the new season should merit another special time with God.

I'll leave you with the poem that inspired this reflection, which Bishop Robert Morneau recited by heart during Catholics on Call last summer.

Ten thousand flowers in spring, the moon in autumn,
a cool breeze in summer, snow in winter.
If your mind isn't clouded by unnecessary things,
this is the best season of your life.

~Wu Men

Image: A Nice Place To Sit by Richard Walker. Found on Flickr under a Creative Commons License.