Thursday, April 29, 2010

Holiday

This week Meggan, Andrew, and I are in eastern Tennessee, enjoying some quality time with Rick, Lynn, and John. We're staying in a secluded log home with a gorgeous view. Weekly activities include exploring the Smokies, a couple days at Dollywood, card and board games, laughs, baby play, music, stories, meals, and soaking in the general Southern charm.

Here in the U.S., we typically call this a "vacation" - we vacate the premises of our everyday routines, and we try to vacate our regular concerns from our minds. In Britain, people go on "holiday" – a break in the routine is afforded by national and religious holidays, such that the typical time to get away like this has taken the name of holiday, even if you’re going during an ordinary week. Still, in its original meaning, a holiday is not about taking a trip; it’s a holy day, sacred, set apart.

This week is not really a vacation for us. It’s a holiday, in the older sense of the word.

There is no general occasion that the outside world observes that makes this week holy in any manner. Even within the family, there’s nothing special about late April. (Well… that’s not precisely true – Rick and Lynn’s 30th anniversary was a week ago! But this isn’t an anniversary trip, per se.) This trip is sacred because of where it fits in the rhythm of our lives. Our first little one is here, and he's worth savoring. Our transition to Spain is just a few months away, at which point the opportunity for family time will shrink dramatically. This is a unique season, and it calls for us to respond in intentional family togetherness.

Are we away from many of our regular responsibilities and goings-on this week? Yes. Yet even more than this, the week plays a highly significant role within the journey God has for us. This is a true family holiday, and we are blessed to be able to celebrate.