The Illusion of Luxury

Afterward you may go and celebrate because of all the good things the Lord your God has given to you and your household. Deuteronomy 26:11a

Our family is going on vacation in just a few days… We’re quietly excited about this fact. I have had to encourage the kids (and myself) to be discreet in our enthusiasm about the trip, because some people won’t understand.

It’s silly, I know, but it’s how it is. My family is in ministry. Most everything we do, we are able to do because God has provided through the generosity of others. And there is an unwritten law that missionaries and ministers of all kinds really should be living in poverty, denying ourselves anything that could possibly be construed to be luxury.

Not too long ago, I was reprimanded for my extravagant lifestyle – travelling around in this big fancy, expensive bus (never mind it is the 1985 model – built while I was still in high school and pretty much everything in it is original, and it is, in fact, the only home our family has). And then there are those who think we must have this wonderful, relaxing life where all we have to do is travel…

So I feel like I’m taking this big risk in even writing this, but what can I say? I’m ready to live on the edge! I’m tired… My husband is tired… My kids are tired. We’re ready to take a break! So we’re going to put all our energy into one more week of VBS this summer, then we’re going to park the bus, get on an airplane, and fly to Florida. There we will be met by another bus – this one driven by someone else – which will deliver us to Disney World where we will stay in a little motel room which will feel so spacious to us because it will have two FULL-SIZE beds and an actual bathtub! And there will even be CABLE TV!!!!

Now, I feel compelled to tell you that we are doing this trip entirely with funds that were NOT donated. We have been carefully putting away our pennies for quite some time so that we actually CAN take a real vacation – one where we might actually drink soda instead of water with our meals… Where instead of packing snacks in a backpack, then sharing a meal for two among four people, we might actually all order what we want from the menu… It’s crazy! We finished paying for the trip months ago, and have been secretly counting down the days.

They say, “Confession is good for the soul.” So here I am, trying to justify myself to you all, as if somehow this will keep me from feeling like I need to be sneaky and secretive about taking this trip with my family. Mostly, I just want my kids to be able to talk freely, share pictures (I might share a few myself!), and just enjoy their vacation – a few days to get out of the “fishbowl” and pretend to be “normal”. I don’t think it’s really too much to ask… is it?

Just a thought…