📖 Bible Verse: Philippians 1:3 "I thank my God every time I remember you."

✨ Devotional Overview:

Vacations with family are meant to be joyful times of connection, laughter, and memory-making. But for many, the stress of travel, the pressure to make everything “perfect,” or the challenge of family dynamics can threaten that peace. In today’s devotional, Chelsey DeMatteis reminds us that while moments may be imperfect, God uses these times to teach us about joy, perspective, and extending peace—even amid the chaos.

Chelsey shares heartwarming and humorous stories from her own family trips and encourages us to become intentional carriers of God’s peace in every setting, especially during vacations. Whether you're chasing toddlers by the lake or navigating difficult conversations around the dinner table, you are called to bring calm, reflect Christ, and cherish the people in front of you.

💡 Key Takeaways:

• Memories are a blessing from God—meant to remind us of His goodness and faithfulness.

• We have a choice to be a peaceful presence or to add to the stress.

• Shifting our mindset from personal expectations to a focus on shared joy and connection invites more moments of grace.

• God uses family time to shape our hearts and reflect His love to those around us.

🙌 Encouragement:

You don’t need a perfect trip to have a meaningful vacation. Allow God to use each moment—good and hard—to reveal His heart, deepen your gratitude, and grow your love for one another. Let peace be your default setting this season, and let your presence point your loved ones toward Jesus.

🧭 Reflective Scripture:

Isaiah 26:3 – “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.”

📚 Related Resources and Articles:

• “10 Scriptures to Pray Before a Family Vacation” – Crosswalk.com

• “3 Practical Tips for Peaceful Family Time” – iBelieve.com

📌 About the Author:

Chelsey DeMatteis is a devotional writer, speaker, and podcast host passionate about helping women walk closely with Jesus in every season of life. You can find more of her writing on iBelieve.com and follow her encouragement on Instagram.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.