The Summer Family Trip

One of my greatest childhood memories is from the Summer of 1971. I know I’m old - so stop with the “Oh my goodness that’s a long time ago” jokes.   That summer, my parents took us on the Family Vacation of a lifetime. We even did it in a classic station wagon with fake wood paneling on the side – Chevy Chase wasn’t the only one who knew how to go on a family vacation!  We didn’t go to Wally World but we did travel from Baltimore, Maryland all the way to the Florida Keys and back.  I think we stopped at every tourist attraction and park from our home to the tip of Florida - we saw it all!  I often tell the story of how my dad blew the A/C on our new Old’s Vista Cruiser Station Wagon when he opened her up on the old 7 mile bridge in the Keys.  We spent the rest of the trip with no air conditioner – in FLORIDA.

Why do I go into all the details of that trip?  

Memories.  

We spent 3 weeks on the road with 5 of us. I was 5, my sister was 10 and my brother was 12. We met Mickey Mouse in his first year in Florida and experienced old time Florida.  It doesn’t matter how much the trip cost my parents, what mattered was that the trip was spent together as a family.  We all share those memories, and laugh about them when we are together.  

Too often we make excuses about being too busy to take time off in the summer.

My advice, life is too short, take the time now while you can. You don’t have to break the bank in order to have a good time and just think of the memories you can make.  While you’re at it - practice teaching your kids the iWork4Him life style.  Don’t leave Jesus at home on a shelf, see if you can be Jesus to those you encounter along the way.  

Don’t waste your life, live it to the fullest. 

John 10:10 New Living Translation (NLT)

10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

About the Author, Jim Brangenberg

Jim's Mission: To transform Christian-run businesses through mentoring Christian Business Owners (CBOs) by incorporating the servant leadership of Jesus Christ in their businesses, their home life and their walk with Christ.