Everybody Needs a Time Out!

I recently polled one of our 4 year old students who attends the daycare at the church where we serve. I asked him the following question: "What does it mean when Mrs. Barbara or another teacher tells you to go sit in Time Out?" His response, "You get to go sit on the bench in the hallway and think about it." Folding his little arms across his chest and twisting back and forth he then added, "And I like sitting on that bench, it's quiet and my teachers are noisy!" Who couldn't laugh at that definition?

There's another kind of Time Out that happens within most sporting events. Coaches sometimes will specifically call a Time Out to gather their team in a huddle to call a new play, give direction or word of encouragement. Coaches also use Time Outs for the purpose of allowing team players to quench their thirst with a quick squirt of H20 with the attempts to get the team refocused and on the same goal.  Although only seconds in length that Time Out can sometimes be the much needed refreshment to get those team mates through the next quarter and playing at their best.

Time Outs are necessary because often times life can leave us feeling frustrated, overworked, depleted and unfocused.  It's important to step back from the day to day activities and refocus.  In America, we could refer to that as a vacation. Most everyone I know takes a vacation. Whether it's 1 day or 14 days you may have the privilege to enjoy, getting away for an intentional Time Out will result as productive and essential for you and your family.

My family and I just returned from our Time Out (vacation) in North Georgia. Our plan was to get away, relax, have fun, refocus and make memories together and ------- well, that's just what we did. We decided to do away with schedules and alarm clocks for an entire week and wow, did we ever loose track of time. One morning we laughed so hard because none of us could remember what day it was. We had to turn on our cell phone and check the calender to make sure we were on track.

We visited Helton Creek Falls and the Ocoee River:

Helton Creek Falls on our way up!

God's creation is absolutely breath-taking!
You will NEVER convince me there is no God.

We spent time on Lake Chatugue:

We even found a rope swing off Gibby Island:

and we spent time relaxing, playing uno, exploring the area and having some fun:

One of our favorite parts of the trip was the day we travelled up to our Alma Mater, Lee University! We were surprised to see how much the campus has changed. Torrey showed the kids our favorite places to eat, where we worked while attending Lee, where we lived as students and even where he proposed. (Awwweeeee!) It was a great day.

Hudson showing Noah & Karson the Student Center.
 It was amazing, especially compared to the previous one.

Lee University - Home of the Flames!
(Our Alma Mater)

I don't think we could have planned a better trip... to sum it up: PERFECT!

Are you jealous? Well maybe it's been too long since you have taken a Time Out for yourself. You should make plans today to enjoy a Time Out soon. Even if you can only get away for the day, it will be so worth it.

Thank you Lord for Time Outs, this one was very much needed. We came away refreshed, renewed and certainly refocused. You are an amazing God who knows exactly what we need and you are never late. We thank you for the provision to make this trip. Please bless the family who so graciously opened their "home away from home" to us. May they experience the blessing in return one-hundred fold and may their home continue to be a place of rest and enrichment, filled with your love and abiding peace for all who enter.

Amen