Spring Break



The hubby, kids and I will be traveling to Florida next week for Spring Break.

Think - a geriatric version of Where The Boys Are.

I have previously shared with you my trite observations of this lovely southern state when I visited my folks last September - Why I Don't Live In Florida. But with our summer days largely spoken for with mission trips, cross-country camp and dance training, we decided to head south for Spring Break. Frankly, I'm rather honored that my college kids have agreed to spend their spring break with their parents. We're just so cool... 

We're flying out of LaGuardia, and I have been praying nonstop that there would be no geese around when we take off. I honestly have imagined our vacation spent on the wing of a plane floating in the Hudson River. I pray that our pilot is as skillful as Capt. Sully Sullenberger.

Once in sunny (and by sunny, I mean excruciatingly hot and humid) Florida, we'll be spending a few days with my folks and a few days at the beach. Please keep my dad and stepmom in prayer as he has been in and out of the hospital with prostate cancer procedures that have weakened him and stressed her.

And feel free to keep my hair in prayer. As some of you know, I have naturally curly (and by curly, I mean huge, intermittently frizzy) hair that expands with the humidity. I am powerless to fight it. And of  course, I hate the way I look when it's curly. Ladies, why is that???? We straighten our curls, and curl our straights.

But the humidity foils all our efforts. Ahhh - the great mystery - the very same humidity that swells my hair makes another's straight hair flat. Just like the very same boiling water will make an egg hard, but a carrot soft. So we must conclude - it's not the humidity nor the boiling water that is the problem, it is how we react to it! Likewise, a difficult circumstance will reduce one to tears, yet cause another to fortify her reserves. And so we must conclude - it's not the circumstance that is the problem, it is how we react to it. We can't always control the circumstance, but we can control how we react to things. To carry this a little further - When in hot water, we should be more like a coffee bean than the egg or the carrot because the egg and carrot react to the hot water, but the coffee actually changes the hot water. In it's brokenness, it infuses the water with its fragrance and substance and positively affects the situation. It creates an improved environment. I'll need to remember that this week :)

And so, my friends, as we speed along towards spring, may you have a blessed week, and I'll catch up with you on the other side!


Susan
ps - Speaking of mysteries and seasons, here's a favorite - Daniel 2:19-23
During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven and said:

"Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever;
wisdom and power are his.
He changes times and seasons;
he sets up kings and deposes them.
He gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to the discerning.
He reveals deep and hidden things;
he knows what lies in darkness,
and light dwells with him.
I thank and praise you, O God of my fathers:
You have given me wisdom and power,
you have made known to me what we asked of you,
you have made known to us the dream of the king."

10 comments:

Cheri Bunch said...

I LOVE this, Susan! You were on my mind this morning! : ) Just have such a BIG smile in my heart when I think about you! Blessings for a great trip! May the Lord bless you with great hair ... and you make some coffee, girl! Love you, Cheri

Karen Lange said...

Have a wonderful trip! Whenever I fly, I meditate on Psalm 91, particularly the part about Him giving His angels charge over me:)

Had to laugh b/c I can sympathize with the hair thing; mine is similar. Don't absolutely hate it, but it sure can be a challenge.

Hooray too, that your kids like to travel with you. That's such a blessing, isn't it?

Have fun!
Blessings,
Karen

Lauren said...

i like the coffee bean analogy, but i dont get why you are going to have to remember that this week, we are going on vacation, isnt it supposed to be fun?

ps- i dont know what where the boys are is

pss you said "agreed" to go with our parents, when truly, we WANTED to go with our parents

Diane said...

Susan,

Hope you have an enjoyable, safe trip. We will be praying for your dad and stepmom – and yes, you both are very cool…..

Diane

Audrey said...

Hi Susan... have a great vacation with your family,,,, we will miss you on the women's retreat!!!!Hugs Audrey

Maria said...

Have a safe and wonderful trip.

Connie said...

Hi, Susan,

I feel the same way whenever I go to the beach. I enjoy the water, but just hate how I look.
I loved the lesson about the egg, carrot and coffee. You have the gift of insight into simple, everyday experiences and I'm always blessed by your teachings. Thank you! Enjoy your break!

Connie

Marlene Rodgers said...

Hi Susan,
There is a remedy for the hair kinks and curls, someone told me about a Brazilian Hair Straightening Process, it lasts for months and looks great, it might be the remedy you need. Life can be so much easier if our hair were to behave. Keeping you all in prayer, remember to use sun screen. Have a great time with the kids.
Love & Blessings, Marlene

quietspirit said...

Susan:
You should feel blessed that your college aged children choose to spend their Spring Break with you and your hubby.

I like your thoughts on the hot water in our lives.

Blessings on you as you travel.

Jen said...

This post was awesome. I laughed at your words (as I could hear your voice as I read the blog.) Have a wonderful time in Florida... i pray for no geese either. Enjoy the humidity.
Jen