Traveling for Work? Turn to God for Peace

, via Wikimedia Commons

My husband and I were talking through our family schedule for the next couple months in the kitchen as the kids were just heading upstairs to get ready for their bedtime. My husband and I do not travel a lot; however, our jobs are just starting to demand it. Still within earshot, my 10-year-old daughter whipped her head around with a concerned look on her face, and said, “Wait Mom, WHEN are you leaving?” We explained the schedule and where Mommy was going and why. She did not automatically like the fact that I was going to be out of town that following week, for four days.

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My speaking and coaching business is growing and I am traveling a bit more than my children have been used to. It is an adjustment for all of us. And when I talk with my kids about when I have to leave and where I am headed, I often feel a twinge of anxiety. I worry. I worry about their schedule when I am gone, if I left the family set up for success (or at least enough organization that no one misses their beloved lessons and practices.) I worry about all of our safety when we are not together. I also get a little nostalgic. When I am away, I mostly miss bedtimes. I think about cuddling, tucking in, nighttime prayers and the little kisses on their foreheads. And every now and then, I may even ask myself quietly . . . do I really have to go? Then I pray. This routine has been happening for the past few years, but now that I have more trips booked, I am experiencing this process more often.

When I really think about my travel and being away from my family for a business trip, I realize something powerful. In prayer, I reflect on the following: God gave me the skills and talent to do what I do. He gave me the desire to start a business and grow it. He also provided the opportunity to serve this client. Traveling for business is not selfish. It is not something that Mom automatically desires over being at home with the family. And it is not always easy on Mom.

My daughter’s reaction did not help my anxiety. However, two days later, the kids and I were waiting for dinner to be done in the oven, and I looked up where I was heading for a client that following week. We live in the Midwest, who is currently in the middle of freezing temperatures and snow. For this trip, I was heading to southern Florida. We looked up the location on Google Earth. All of a sudden, my daughter realized the drastic change of temperature (she loves the beach). Her mouth dropped as she asked, “Wait! Do THEY pay for your plane ticket?"

I replied, “Yes, they do.” She could not believe it.

I mentioned that this is my job, and clients pay me to work for them. She gasped, “Are you SERIOUS? Of COURSE you are going next week! Have fun Mom; no offense, I am looking forward to some Daddy time anyway.”

And at that moment, any semblance of worry was gone in this instant. I had been praying for peace surrounding this trip and knew it would come eventually. I did not realize it would come out of my 10-year-old’s mouth. I did not realize that I just needed to hear that the kids understood why I do what I do when I travel away from them and that they'd be okay. While my daughter was getting excited about income and travel expense talk, I reminded all three children, that when God gives you a talent and an opportunity to share it, we must listen to Him and that was why I was going to be gone that following week. God knew what I needed in that conversation and He gave it to me.

I experienced God's peace about this trip after prayer and the conversation with the kids.

Are you worried about an upcoming trip? Is there something in the future that causes you some anxiety? Turn to God. Ask him for direction, clarity and peace. If his answers can come through 10-year-olds, then we must never underestimate how he speaks to us.

Where do you need His reassurance? Where do you need His wisdom and assurance? Focus your prayer today and this week, on that area of your life. Then, remain open to where His answers may sprout!