A few years ago Christina and I enjoyed the luxury of a few days away, without our three beautiful daughters, in Seattle, Washington. We liked the idea of visiting Seattle, so we made the preparations and enjoyed a great time together. It really was a refreshing time physically, emotionally, spiritually, and maritally. We try to make regular time for little getaways like this one.

Each of them are fairly obvious, but here are some lessons I scribbled down after that particular time away.

Trips can offer rest - It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure this one out, but allowing your mind and body to slow down can be very rewarding. Pastor Geoff always says, “vacations are an investment.” To rest from time to time means that you are investing in your long-term fruitfulness.

Trips can offer reconnection - Life is busy. Life is challenging. Doing life as two who are to operate as one can be quite difficult. Sometimes the main things - communication, romance, fellowship - can take a bit of a back seat to the pressing needs of the day. Time away gives you a chance to take a breath and reconnect.

Trips can offer re-prioritization - More than once I was able to look at Christina on this particular trip and think to myself or say out loud, “you really are the most important person in my whole life.” This ought to be obvious to any husband, but sometimes you need isolation with your spouse in order to remember it.

Trips can offer perspective - Whenever I leave Monterey I inevitably am filled with vision and insight and perspective for what God is doing my life back at home. Time away can often give you that simple insight, wisdom, or direction that you’ve been searching for. This is magnified on a trip with your husband or wife, in that inevitably as you fellowship together you will be able to make good, solid decisions about life.

Although easily considered a luxury, I highly recommend making the necessary sacrifices to take even the smallest times away. Be sure to bring your Bible, your notebook, and your pen, so that you can squeeze every last drop of benefit from your time away.