Family Vacation

Having fun!!

Our family vacations are fun. Even camping.

So recently, we headed to the mountains of Tennessee pulling a camper behind us. The weather was wonderful and so were the sounds of the river by our campsite. This was our second time in the Great Smokey Mountains National park. 

But we have family traditions for our trips. We buy all the fun food we can and the kids love it. Another tradition is to go into Gatlinburg, Tn and eat at the Pancake Pantry. It’s been there for years and years.

So, the kids could order anything. And they did. We had pancakes with chocolate chips &  m&m’s covering them. Yum. Yum. Yum.

Pancake Pantry - notice the whipped cream!

The kids were so excited. Until they finished off their huge plates. That’s when all the sugar hit their systems. Full force.

We (me included) felt way beyond full and more into the realm of stuffed.

While we thoroughly enjoyed our meals, I realized that eating at the Pancake Pantry is a great place for a treat. Not a daily event. 

And that’s just like life. King Solomon had everything he could ever want, but ended up in depression. (Don’t believe me? Read Ecclesiastes.) He is quoted as saying everything was in vain. 

Now, I’m not saying you’ll get depressed if you eat too many pancakes. But consistently indulging ourselves makes us self focused. We want everything our way. 

M&M's on the pancakes

And that’s where we go astray in our relationship with God. We get angry at God because things we planned don’t go as scheduled. But what an opportunity to learn to appreciate the good times and recognize them as such. And to learn to walk with God in both the good times and the hard times. Because the hard times will come.

So what do you see in your life that needs to be relegated down a few notches and should just be enjoyed every once in a while?