I love to take the kids on vacations. Most of the time, we just go on short weekend or day trips. We love to visit, do and see new things. In fact, our new thing is to try and visit a new ball park every year. One weekend we went to Charlotte for the weekend. They had an indoor pool at the hotel and the kids loved it. We really did not do that much that weekend, but we had a really good time. In fact, if you ask Kyndall or Andon it is one of their favorite trips to date. We had a really nice, but small room. It had a living space, small kitchen and a bedroom and one bath. We also had a very similar experience when we visited Atlanta. We did do a little more, like the Braves game, Coca Cola museum, and aquarium, but it was still very short and our hotel was very similar. Every-time we go one these type trips we love spending the quality family time together. It never feels "small". In fact, it feels just the opposite, it feels like we have a lot of room. Which is quite ironic considering, how all of us sometimes feels cramped in our four bedroom/loft house.
Now I know we do not have al our toys, furniture, or clothes, and most of our "materialistic" stuff is at home. And it is never missed!! We pack a handful of toys and just the necessities that we will need. Today I have really been thinking about these mini vacations and even Nicaragua and I feel somewhat convicted. When I am home, sometimes I get caught up in wanting way more than I need (more clothes, bigger house, nicer car, more toys for kids, etc..) When you do without this stuff it puts it into perspective and you see how much you really DO NOT need it. When we do not have all the "extras" we are forced to play with each other and spend that time together, and it is AWESOME!
It is so easy to get caught up in confusing your wants with your needs. The simple fact is God has given my family way more than we could ever need. We have a wonderful house, a decent car, nice clothes, plenty of food, lots and lots of toys, and more gadgets than we know what to do with, yet our whole house is guilty of wanting so much more. The past year and a half we have had do scale down our wants, since I am a single mom of 4, but yet, this has put the conviction more in my heart. I am beginning to hate this selfishness side of me and I actually find it insulting when someone tries to impress me or win me over with money. I want my kids to learn and realize there is so much more to life than "things". I want us to focus more on relationships and having a good heart verses earthly possessions and being so worried about stuff that does not build character. "Not that I speak in regard to need for I have learned in whatever state I am content. I know how to be abased (live humbly) and live in prosperity, everywhere in all things I have learned to be both full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:11-13
Trying to live more humble,
Amber
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