generational blessings

Next week, my family and I get to go on our annual vacation, joining my in-laws for a two-week stay at a comfortable creek-side resort. We get our own condo, with Gramma right next door. 

Our society would tell us this is white privilege. It is a huge privilege- white or not. More accurately, it's a blessing from plain, hard work and wise investing from generations before us. 

My hubby's grandfather married into the family, and before long, God gave him new eyes of faith to see beyond his own time and place. He wanted something reflective of a "promised land" or as we know it, a favorite, "timeless" vacation spot. For an older time-share resort, it continues to be well-maintained, and well-managed, ideally located, offering guests a slice of Arizona paradise. (I should go write a five-star review now, haha) Gramma talks about how he enjoyed the grandkids and wanted to prioritize getting away as a family regularly to relax and enjoy God's creation together. 

For a girl (me!) who has always enjoyed traveling, particularly to more exotic destinations, this one place has been both a blessing and a grinding reminder to settle down and be thankful. For a girl who was raised with a guaranteed cycle of change and new scenery, the repeat of the same spot has gotten on my nerves. My head and my heart have to sync up every time. I pray God gives me a vision to keep looking beyond myself as the man I never had the chance to meet did.  

I think of the Children of Israel and what they inherited with the Promised Land. I see how their blessing was meant to be generational as well. 

"But when ye go over Jordan and dwell in the land which the Lord your God giveth you to inherit, and when he giveth you rest from all your enemies round about, so that ye dwell in safety; Then there shall be a place which the Lord your God shall choose to cause his name to dwell there; thither shall ye bring all that I command you... And ye shall rejoice before the Lord your God, ye, and your sons, and your daughters..." Deuteronomy 12:10-12