Relaxation can become “relaxertion”–a term coined by Hubby to describe those vacations when everyday is scheduled.  When every side road, museum, and natural wonder must be seen.  When you come home and need a vacation from your vacation!
     These were the kind of vacations we took in the not so long ago years.  And for most of our marriage.  We were adventure lovers, just aching to explore every nook and cranny of our new destination.  But lately, we vacation mostly for the sole purpose of relaxing.

     This was the goal of our recent trip to the California coast.  And for the most part, that was all we did.  Planted on the fine-grained, white sand, we allowed our hearts to beat rhythmically with the ocean waves.  Or be captured by the breeze-blown puffy clouds.  Perched next to a galvanized/wood fence that protected us from soaring off the cliff, we stood transfixed by sun-bathing seals and sea lions on a rock below us.

      However, we did slip back into old habits one day and for six hours, we foot-pounded our way through the zoo.  Exhausted and knowing the anatomy of every muscle in our body, we fell into bed that night without a single dream of the animals we passed that day. 
     With gratitude for days of relaxation on vacation, I begin this week’s list of thanksgivings to the Lord:
      66) for soothing ocean waves
      67) for sunbathing seals in their natural environment

      68) for the beautiful creatures the Lord has made–even if I see them only in a zoo; especially the Pandas

      69) for the moon and stars, the work of Your hands that bring peace and beauty; especially reflecting off   the water
      70) for our sons with whom to share this adventure of life

      71) for my husband and his desire to please me.  I can still see his love for me in his eyes
      72) for a home
      73) for a washing machine and clean clothes
      74) for a job–crazy as it is
      75) for all the families I was able to talk with during this recruiting phase of my new job
      76) for the joy of writing; a joy I really had not known before
      77) for a blogging buddy
      78) for the opportunity to write a guest post

     “He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God,
      Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord.  Psalm 40:3 NIV

     What new song has the Lord put in your mouth today?  What causes your heart to erupt in praise to the Lord?  Who sees your joy in the Lord, and through that will come to know the Lord?  

     This post is part of Ann Voskamp’s Gratitude Community at Holy Experience.