Focus Friday: Let’s Focus on Enjoying Time Away

I’m on vacation this week.

It’s strange, though, because I’m by myself.

Gary and I usually take trips together, but we decided I could just book a flight and go visit my parents and sister in Tennessee this week. Flying for the first time in about eighteen months was fun, but I missed sharing the experience with my husband.

Visiting my parents is nice, but I find myself fighting feelings of guilt for going off for a week and leaving my hubby to work and take care of things at home while I’m gone.

He’s not helpless and I know he’ll do fine, so I’m trying to just enjoy my time away. I’m taking long walks and spending time talking with my mom and dad and helping them do a few things around the house while I’m here.

As I’ve wrestled with my thoughts, I’m realizing that we often do this (or is it just me?).

When we’re working, we wish we could be playing.

When we’re playing, we feel guilty about the work we should be doing.

When we’re at home, we put off the tasks and responsibilities we have and fill our time with activities that can often be meaningless.

And when we’re taking time away, we too often think about all of the projects we left undone back at home.

If only we could focus completely on whatever we’re doing, balancing our work and play so that our tasks get done and we also enjoy our free time.

When I get back home, I’ll practice working hard when it’s time to work and enjoying my time off when it’s time to relax.

For now, I’m going to make sure I enjoy the rest of my time away.

“I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.” (Ecclesiastes 3:12–13 NIV)

Do you enjoy your time away, or are you distracted by the work you left behind? How can focusing on God help you to work when it’s time to work and relax when it’s time to relax?