Y’all, we went on our very first family vacation! A road-trip spanning across 7 states in 6 days, thousaaaaands of miles, and a three month old baby. Were we crazy? Probably. Do we regret it? Not at all! The tiny human did amazingly well in the car. She had a few moments, but they usually told us it was time for another break from the car seat. She was such a little trooper! We were able to see some incredible things, historical sites, and national monuments. Between The Badlands, prairie dogs, Mt. Rushmore, Yellowstone, or week was full of new and awe-inspiring things to see and experience. To us it can seem so strange how we are traveling around the country on vacation attempting to see some of these incredible monuments, scenic areas, and attractions. While in every city, there was the janitor, the shop keeper, the ticket booth lady, and the guy who works at Taco Bell - who to them, it’s just any other day. They live here. They have access to this sight every day. They’ve seen it more times than they can count. They’ve lived it way too many times to count. Sure, maybe at some point they thought it was amazing and appreciated it’s glory and grandeur, but that was years ago. Now it’s old hat. It blends in with the scenery. They drive by it every day. They were born and raised here. It’s just normal, every-day life for them. They watch thousands of other people stand and take their picture in front of it without ever taking a moment to gaze upon the structure themselves. They have become indifferent to it. They lost that passion and excitement. We 100% do that! We take for granted our church, our salvation, and our God. It just blends in the scenery. We’ve heard the story before... seen it, done it, and gotten the tshirt... five of them... from each YouthCon, camp, and Vbs, even that random one from a youth rally. You have access to it, yet the familiarity bred contempt, and apathy set in. One stands by cold and indifferent. Grumbling at the fact “someone stole their pew”, so-and-so didn’t ask how they were doing, the preacher went past noon, or “their” parking spot wasn’t available that morning. But then there stands those others. The fresh, green members of the youth group or the visitors who get SO excited over everything they couldn’t imagine having what you have access to. Yet to you, it’s whatever. It’s “normal”. Even the disciples had moments they lost sight of Who He is and what He can do even though they literally walked with Him daily. You’re here every service and then some. You’ve heard all the Bible stories, every message, and memorized all the verses. Yet with that familiarity and exposure, it’s lost its meaning. You’ve grown cold and apathetic towards it. It no longer excites and amazes you. instead of being amazed by God's blessings, you expect them and become angry if He doesn't work in the way you think He should. Meanwhile, the fresh Christian is so excited, willing to serve, and amazed by God they can’t contain it! Be like them! May we always keep the heart, awe, and zeal of a tourist while being a local. 💕
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Lizzy parkerMarriage.
Motherhood. Ministry. Missions. Archives
January 2023
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