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The kids are out of school which means it's a great time for a family vacation! As you make plans or prepare to leave for vacation perhaps you're wondering if this trip will actually be restful. Have you ever felt like you need a vacation after your vacation? I know I have! Comedian Jim Gaffigan jokes, "As a kid, I wondered why dad was always in a bad mood on vacation. Now I understand. We're spending an enormous amount of money to stand in line for hours...but it's Disney in July so it's like waiting in line at the DMV on the surface of the sun."

Vacations are wonderful, but sometimes we miss out on the rest we crave.

God blessed us with rhythms for rest. When God created the world he rested on the 7th day (Genesis 2:2-3). God instructed Israel to take a Sabbath day in Exodus 20:11 and Deuteronomy 5:12-15. In both passages, God gives a different reason to rest. In Exodus, the reason is that even God rested on the 7th day of creation. In Deuteronomy, the reason is Israel is no longer slaves in Egypt. The Egyptians didn't give Israel time off while slaves, but God is not a slave-master. He is a loving father who provides rest to His children.

Types of Rest in the Bible

Sabbath – Rest one day each week (Genesis 2:2-3, Exodus 20:11, Deuteronomy 5:12-15)

Festivals – Israel had three major festivals they celebrated each year. Each festival was 7 days. We see Jesus partake in some of these events in John chapters 5 and 7. These were opportunities to take a break from work and regular life to travel to Jerusalem, visit family, and partake in the celebrations (Exodus 23:14-19).

Sabbatical –The word “sabbatical” isn’t specifically in the Bible, but the concept of it comes from the Sabbath and the Sabbath Year (Exodus 23:10-11). A sabbatical is an extended period of rest (anywhere from a few days to a year depending on who you talk to).

It’s easy to see our idea of a vacation is like festivals and short sabbaticals. We need these different lengths of rest. A study found those who didn’t vacation for 5 years were 30% more likely to have a heart attack. Vacationing once a year decreases depression and chronic stress in women. Even one day off clears your mind to be more refreshed when you return to work.

It's good we get rest.

Tips For Vacation

Unplug from work - Don't check emails or take work calls. You will end up working poorly and not resting well. Set an automatic email responder. Temporarily block certain calls and texts on your phone.

Spend time with God – Typically, vacations are filled full of activities with your loved ones. Don’t forget to have time with the Lord. You could talk as a family about what God is doing or celebrate together something God did. You can enjoy an unhurried devotional time without needing to head off for work.

Plan a relaxing schedule - You may want to pack 15 museums, 8 amusement parks, and 32 restaurants into 6 days...but don't. Yes, select fun activities! But don't plan so much that you're constantly running around to catch everything.

Budget Wisely - It's fun to not worry about money on vacation. At the same time, don't spend money you don't have because you feel like your vacation "needs" more. Don't stress yourself out more after vacation when you see the credit card bill! Vacation within your means. Maybe that means packing sandwiches for the drive to enjoying eating out more at your destination. Maybe it means sacrificing one attraction. Maybe it means staying a little closer to home. Whatever it is, you can have a restful vacation without breaking the bank.

Sleep! - Studies suggest 1 in 3 Americans don't get enough sleep. Take time on your vacation to nap, go to bed early, and sleep in. Even Jesus took naps (Mark 4:38).