Why Scotland? Why now?

REASON ONE:  I HAVE BEEN GOING FOR AWHILE.

24 years.  That is how long I have been going without a break.  There have been the periodic trips, holidays, and school outings.  However it seems lately that even when I am on a vacation I have been doing work, thinking about work, and not faithfully present with my wife or my environment.  I doubt I am the only one who feels this way.  It begins with performing well in school + extracurricular activities.  This and a good SAT score can get you into a good college. So you continue working hard and enjoying life and now you realize that a liberal arts education is amazing but you need to specialize (pick your career - lawyer, doctor, health care professional).  If you are like me, I went straight through undergrad and grad school.  I remember thinking my first semester in grad school, that I was burned out but I continued to push through.  Graduate school was great and then it was on to the real world where you roll up your sleeves and put in your time.     Let me be clear: I am thankful of the path I took and thankful I had parents, teachers, mentors, and colleagues push me along the way.  Now is a time for me to really be thankful for that time and re-frame my thoughts as I close out my 30s. 

REASON TWO:  CELEBRATION

This trip could not have come at a better time. I have been married to my wife Jenny for 10 years so this trip represents a celebration of a decade of marriage (and someone's birthday too).  I couldn't have asked for a better partner to spend the last 10 years of my life with and God has really blessed the both of us.  This past year has seen a lot of challenges and growth in our marriage and our spiritual life.   We also took a step back and said "What is our family mission statement?" We couldn't really put words to what we wanted our family to stand for and believe in within our community, our friendships, and our church.  We also felt we were constantly going, going, going and didn't have a moment to reflect.  We want to serve each other better and our multiple "families" and this is giving us time to reflect.  

REASON THREE:  REST TO WORK

I'll spend more time later discussing why I am doing this blog and why this blog begins with a discussion of a trip.  Our current world's view of the work-rest dynamic is that we work to rest.  Be productive Monday-Friday and we get these days off on Saturday and Sunday (which don't end up being restful because you have also choreographed the weekend).  The Bible begins with a really good description of how this rhythm should look:  resting to work.  Yes the creation story does begin with God creating something from nothing.  But its how He ends it that is more fascinating.   On the seventh day he rested because he delighted in what he had created.  How often do you come home on Friday afternoon and delight in what you have created?  My first response is "give me a drink" so I can celebrate survival.  We need to flip the script.  But I know for a fact that if I want to give my employees the best and serve my company and my clients well, I need to rest.  And I want some time to really celebrate and be thankful that I play a small role in creating, preserving, and improving our city while seeing God's hand at work.