Bigger and Better, Greater and Grander

Hola! I recently went on a vacation or might I say "on holiday" if I was from England (that phrase is just lovely!). I hit a wall early this year and asked God to give me an adventure to look forward to. After multiple attempts at rallying friends and trying to figure out an oh so fun tropical spot, the getaway puzzle pieces came together when a kindred friend and me ended up at an all inclusive resort in the Riviera Maya.

We reveled in the idea of spending a number of days at a place where the hardest decisions of the day were what tropical fruit to taste and which lounge chair to choose at the beach. I haven't been on a vacation in many moons where relaxing, reading and refreshing were the daily "to do's".

I had been to Playa del Carmen about 8 years ago. If you've been, you know the drill. If not, here is how it goes, for those traveling on a budget. You fly into Cancun and a shuttle picks you up along with other passengers to drop you off at your resort. In the process, you see a parade of the resorts that the other vacationers are going to enjoy. We loved our resort. Check out these fun pics.

The funny part to this vacation adventure is that I had seen this resort during the "drop off" 8 years ago and coveted the idea of staying there. I remember thinking next time I'd like to stay at that bigger and better resort. I didn't intentionally seek it out as I was researching this trip but sure enough it is the one. As my other friend who was with me 8 years ago confirmed when I mentioned the name as I had an idea it might be the long ago sought after spot.

Through this detail, God reminded me that He remembers the desires of my heart, not just on a big scale but on a small one also. He hears my thoughts. He likes to show off that He is personally orchestrating my times.

I am also reminded of the human heart's tendency to want the bigger and the better, the greater and the grander. I looked at one resort on the way back to the airport as we picked up sun burned vacationers, thinking, "I wonder what that one is like?" Many times we might get down on ourselves or feel guilty for having such a bent. However, I think we can also think of it as part of how God has wired us, wanting something more. A longing for a beautiful, perfect place where the world is right and all of our desires are fulfilled. Bigger and better, grander and greater can nudge us toward our heavenly hope if we stop to reflect on what is behind the desire. Taking in the character of God in all of life including vacations is one of the beauties of belonging to Him.