A little encouragement for the traveling and the wish they were traveling this season

Let's take a moment and talk about traveling. Before I start I will say this, this is not a 'how to travel with children' post or a metaphor for anything overly spiritual. I just thought there might be some mamas out there that could use a little simple encouragement about holiday travel. I will also say we are not actually traveling this year for Thanksgiving or Christmas, but that doesn't mean we haven't done our fair share of traveling with our little ones. I won't list our our 'laundry list' of travels, but I have traveled multiple times with my 2 kids alone and a handful of times with my 2 kids and my husband.

Honestly, traveling with kids is not really all that easy. Sometimes it honestly feels like it isn't worth it (which is why we chose NOT to travel this holiday season). But sometimes it is worth it to get to see some family or friends, or just have an adventure. But the truth is, traveling with kids is different for every single family, and it also might be different for each family every single time they travel. 

Anyone follow a mom on Instagram who seems to easily travel with her kids all over the place? Maybe you follow a mom who just took her kids on a road trip across the country to see a the mountains or a mom who just strolled around Europe with her 2+  kids in tow. You probably see their pictures in those lovely little squares and think "how dreamy" or maybe like me you think "traveling with my kids isn't that easy." Maybe you even think "if only we had more money or time to travel more, our kids would be more flexible like them." 

The truth is, those moms still have to change diapers, discipline rowdy kids, bribe with lolly pops and cookies to keep their toddler in the seat on the plane, and pick up those brand new toys off the plane floor the entire flight. They still probably have a huge bag filled with stuff they thought their child would be interested in while away but didn't even touch, and they probably have to hold negotiations to get their children to eat the mac'n'cheese that looks different. They still have to think about nap times and pay the penalty for keeping their baby out all day and skipping nap time. And maybe they do have some days that are perfect and dreamy and what travel novels are made of, but maybe they don't. Either way, remember those squares and perfect travel moments aren't what make that mom happy. You don't know if she is reaching for some joy she can't quite find, or just truly enjoy every moment of life. All you know is that your joy and value this season (and all year) should come from Christ alone. 

The thing is, traveling away from home doesn't mean we get to leave our every day stuff behind. When we travel we still have to deal with the junk in our hearts, the struggles in our parenting and the stumbling blocks in our walk with God. Traveling is good for the soul I think, but it isn't going to fix the soul, only Christ can do that.

Traveling may be the hardest thing you do with your family this holiday season, it may feel like it isn't worth it, and it is possible the trip could be terrible. Traveling may be easy and refreshing for your family, the perfect break from the mundane and a wonderful time of visiting far away family and friends. Either way, don't spend the whole time comparing your travel experiences (or lack of travel experiences) to someone else. Because chances are their is a lot more to the story than you see. Chances are they had hard and good days too and chances are they wonder why they are traveling at moments too. 

So as you travel this holiday season, or as you stay home, remember to give yourself and others grace. Remember to offer others help when you can and to accept help when you are offered. Remember that the success and failures of traveling don't define you or your family, only Christ can define you and your family. The distance you travel doesn't matter, because no matter if you stay home or go far, God is with you and you are with him, right where he wants you to be. So don't stress about all those little details or worry about how you measure up to the worlds travel standards. Just enjoy the good moments and ask for God's grace in the tough moments.