God made some plans ....

First, God chose the "Green Pastures and Still Waters" vacation package. And so did we! Except we were so busy running around, we fell into the water and almost drowned. And we thought we should get out beyond the green pastures, so we got lost. God thought, "I better stay. Evidently, I need to lead them beside the still waters and bring them back to the green pastures." So God stayed, and so did we — dry and found again.

Then God heard about a deal on a cruise vacation. So God booked an upper deck cabin and headed out to sea. And we booked the same cruise! We all met up at the passenger mixer that first night.

The cruise Web site didn't mention that a large storm might come up. "Eek! Eek! What kind of vacation is this?" we cried.

God thought, "I better stay."

"Peace! Be still!" God recommended to the waves and to us.

And it worked, God stayed, and so did we — dry and found again.

Then God asked us, "Where do you suppose you might vacation next?"

Now we answered, "That depends .... Where are you going on your stay-cation, God?"

No matter what we choose for our family this summer — an afternoon at a park, a weekend at a campground, several weeks in Europe — God will be there. And we can use what we learned from God. Stay! Share a laugh, towel, fear, map, a surprise, a dream and/or prayer with your kids. Don't run away ... stay. God did.