An Unexpected Mid-Week Getaway

I'm a sucker for traveling. Above all else, I love to get out and wander around, exploring new places, discovering new sites and finding the beauty that is buried in each and every place. It's why, when Michael asked what I wanted for my birthday, I told him that all I wanted to do was go camping. Of course, then he went above and beyond and took us on our fun, romantic trip to Savannah!

But as the weather has been warming and the sky staying a steady blue, the jetsetter in me starts getting antsy, daydreaming about unexplored streets and cityscapes. It was only a week ago that I said to Michael, I wish we could go on another vacation again. (Not a grateful little wife-y am I, when we're supposed to be watching our budget, and here I'm yearning for another trip?!) This is even in spite of the knowledge that next month, my parents are going to Gatlinburg and we're going to head up and stay with them for a few days. And then later this summer we‘ll be heading up to home-sweet-home Ohio. Obviously, when it comes to travels and new places, patience is not one of my greatest virtues!

How gracious was the Lord when, even though I should be happy with what I have and what's already awaiting, we get a surprise trip dropped in our lap? While we were at a meeting to discuss the formation of a newlywed group at our church, we were trying to figure out where to stage a retreat to kickoff the ministry to the rest of the church. That's when one of the leaders asked if we'd be willing to scout out a location, and we'd get our gas, food and hotel for the night covered. A mini getaway, smack-dab in the middle of the week.

We objected, saying we didn't need to stay the night, that we could come back early but he told us, "No. You need a night away." And with that I couldn't help but sit in awe of how kind God is to me, even in the littlest things like that, like a hotel stay for the night and the chance to troll a new town and drink in its sites and sounds.

Today, we’re headed to Chattanooga!

"The faithful love of the Lord  never ends! His mercies never cease.
Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning."
Lamentations 3:22-23

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