Aloooooha.

This past week in Hawaii has been...

well, I can't really say. The rich and glamorized setting, which reminded me of an upscale Philippines (minus the bugs and add a plethora of diverse people), just thirsted for green dollar bills held by unknowing rich tourists. Everywhere I went, there was stuff to buy, and it was expensive. There were things to do, but not without spending money first.

And I found myself asking, “Why am I here? How have I so easily fallen into this trap that, 'it's a vacation, so spend because this chance doesn't come often?' I could have spent this time and money in Africa, helping people who don't have the chance to do this.”

Inasmuch as it angers me that I have fallen prey to the consumerism and superficiality on which this world feeds, I sat on the hot beach a few days ago lost in thought. And while trying to keep off the sand that burned my feet every time I stepped outside the safety of my blue towel, I heard God telling me to “look.”

Look out at the entrancing ocean and gorgeous beach I have created for you to enjoy, and to thank me for. Why would I have created this place if not for you to enjoy and rule over? (Which gets me thinking, God's decision to allow man to rule over everything has gone terribly, terribly overboard. Having to spend money to go to the beach? What is that!).

Look out at the hundreds of people, all different, all beautiful and hand-made by me, for you to interact with and get to know.

Look at your family. Your broken, broken family, whom I am forcing you to spend time with. I took you out of a place where you cannot hide behind the walls of your room, into a land where my blessings, my beauty, my glory rain down... so that something can happen within you and your family.

Don't get me wrong; I'm not making any excuses for or attempting to justify spending that much money to do all this stuff. In fact, the trek to find something to do every day that week has left me disappointed with myself and unsatisfied... and I hate the fact that everywhere I looked, there was something to buy. It bothered me that people chose to spend time shopping at the Coach store or the Uggs store (really, in Hawaii? Are Uggs necessary?) rather than sitting out and enjoying God's creation. But that happens everywhere; whether I am sitting on a beach in Hawaii or driving around in LA.

So where is this post going? I have no idea. My thoughts are jumbled...ehh, I need a vacation.