Don’t Leave God at Home: Finding True Rest on Vacation
Gerónimo Antonio de Ezquerra, “The Visitation,” by 1737 (photo: Public Domain)
Summer vacation is often filled with good things: family time, camping, eating out, travel, rest, and a break from normal routines. These are gifts from God. Yet it is easy to become so busy enjoying the gifts that we forget the Giver.
We may take a break from work, school, and responsibilities, but we are not meant to take a break from the Lord.
Vacation can become another form of busyness. We fill every moment with activities, food, entertainment, shopping, scrolling, and planning the next thing. Even while resting, our hearts can remain distracted and restless.
St. Augustine reminds us, “Our hearts are restless until they rest in You.” True rest is not simply escaping responsibility. True rest is returning to God.
This does not mean vacation needs to become rigid or overly formal. A Catholic vacation can still include laughter, good meals, campfires, hikes, swimming, and slow mornings. Consider Mary’s visit to her cousin Elizabeth. Her journey was centered on love, service, prayer, and the presence of Christ. She did not leave God behind; she carried Him with her.
That is the goal of a Catholic vacation: not to remove joy, but to order joy toward Christ.
Here are a few simple ways to keep God at the center of vacation:
Attend Sunday Mass and plan Mass times before the trip.
Pray briefly together in the morning or evening.
Read a short Scripture passage.
Listen to music that lifts the soul.
Practice gratitude for the gifts of the day.
Serve your family through small acts of charity.
Limit distraction and be present to God and others.
Reflect on how you are loving your spouse, children, family, or friends.
Vacation often reveals the state of our hearts. Delays, tired children, changed plans, and unmet expectations can expose impatience, selfishness, or irritability. These moments are not interruptions to holiness; they are invitations to grow in love.
So enjoy the trip. Eat the good food. Sit by the fire. Watch the sunset. Laugh with your family. Let your body rest.
But do not leave the Lord at home.
Bring Him into the car ride, the campsite, the hotel room, the dinner table, and the quiet moments.
The deepest rest does not come from getting away from life. It comes from returning to God.
Vacation Prayer
Lord Jesus, teach us to rest with You. Help us receive this time with gratitude, peace, and love. Protect us from distraction and forgetfulness. May we enjoy Your gifts without forgetting You, the Giver of every good thing. Amen.
