Brooks in the City: a little r & r

So we're just coming off of our first week of vacation since the big move to H-town. I've got to be honest...It was stinkin' awesome! Now, let's not kid ourselves, Galveston Island is no tropical paradise. After all, each morning we're not waking up to the breath-taking beach-front views of the North Shore. We're looking at the Gulf of Mexico baby! Brown, murky water, yes! And if you dig in the sand enough with your toddler's tiny yellow toy beach shovel, you may be lucky enough to find a tar ball. Get excited!

For me though, it doesn't always have to be about the destination when it comes to get-aways. Steph and I are by no means world travelers. However, in our brief married life, we've been able to see Hawaii, The Bahamas, and we've made a few pit stops in Chicago, New York, Virginia and a few more states along the way. This time around, we just needed a brief reprieve from the hustle and bustle of every day life here in the city. We didn't need the tropical paradise. We just needed a quiet spot where we could break away, enjoy some solitude and enjoy watching our (increasingly adventurous and hilarious) boys.

In the midst of playing on the beach, swimming in the pool at our condo, checking out the Moody Gardens aquarium, wearing out their splash pad, watching Happy Feet in 4D (well...the 3D glasses did not stay on the boys noggins for long) and a few more adventures to boot, we also got some much needed rest. I'm so napped out, I'm pretty sure I've met my nap quota for 2010-11. If there were penalties for exceeding a napping time limit, I would face significant time. That's fine though, I could nap all I wanted to in the slammer. :)

As I'm writing this (entirely too late), I'm thinking about jumping into another week of work and ministry. But you know what? I'm ready. I'm rested. What's most important, from a spiritual standpoint, I especially needed this vacation. One afternoon, as I lay in bed during nap time (oh yeah!) with Levi slumbering away on my chest, I had an hour to just think and pray. Funny how things come into perspective when you just get still and get quiet before God. In just one uninterrupted hour, I thought and prayed about life, my family, about ministry, about the people I love and am invested in. Mostly, I came away thanking God for modeling to me rest. You ever think about that? In Genesis, God rested. I don't even know what that looks like! How does the God who spoke creation into existence...rest? Does an all-powerful God need to rest? So what gives? I've come to the conclusion, it wasn't for Him. It was for me. It was a reminder for us. Every time I lay my head down to sleep, every time I unwind watching a little Sportscenter, every time I break away or take a vacation, it's a reminder of my dependence upon Him! Right? I am so finite. I am so limited, so prone to get worn down and to wander. God rested because His work was done, but I also think He rested not out of necessity but because I need to rest in Him!

All that to say, maybe you've taken your vacation already this summer. Maybe you haven't had a vacation in who knows how long. I guess what I'm trying to say is that if you'll make it a priority to break away, to get still and to rest, maybe you'll be reminded of your dependence upon a God whose work is already done. Also, when we (husbands) make it a priority to find our rest in Him, we gain clarity, vision and direction for our lives...and that means for our families as well. I think true leaders know how and when to rest. Period. In our work-work-work world, we need to find our rest in God so that we can be replenished, so that we can hear from Him and get ready for another day!

I leave you with a few pictures of our restful weekend: