The word vacation, according to dictionary.com, comes from the Latin vacares--to be free, to empty. Look close and you can see the word vacate in there--so there's an element of leaving in there too. Did you ever try to vacation at home? Or "bring a little work to catch up on?" Can't be done--either of them. To truly vacation you have to empty yourself and vamoose!
At camp we used to do an exercise to help people do just that. Everyone packs a suitcase or duffle, or backpack to come to camp. We encouraged them to "unpack their baggage" -- their routine life burdens--in the same way. Unpack the stress from work, put away the family dynamics, stow what you're dealing with emotionally. And leave them behind. Sounds easier than it really is.
In the movie What About Bob?, Bill Murray plays an agoraphobic soul whose therapist is leaving for two weeks at of all places Lake Winnipesaukee (where we went on vacation!)! Fearing the loss of his doctor's care, Murray freaks out. The therapist (played brilliantly by Richard Dreyfuss), encourages him not to view his problems as a whole, but to "take baby steps" towards his goals. Trite advice. But I think it really could in vacating.
For instance: when you take a day off--do you have your cell phone growing out of your hip? Shut it off--baby steps. Too much to do at home to have time away? The chores will be there when you get back. Baby steps. Holding a grudge against Uncle Joe that keeps you from a visit home? Let bygones be bygones. Baby steps. Setting aside anything heavy is a "step" in the right direction! So, by all means, try it! (But please don't just show up at the lake like Bob did!)
Another word for you, this one Greek and highly theological--kenosis. Much the same as vacares it means to empty. Jesus emptied himself in order that we might be filled with his love and goodness. In this sense, doing vacation right is so very important -- for to be filled, we must first be empty! Time away from the burdens and stresses of life makes room for us to rejuvenate our spirits, and feel the radical grace of God--a grace that validates our existence unconditionally. What a gift!!!
And you thought vacation was just for sleeping on the beach!
Back at work,
Pastor Tom
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