Before You Vacation with Your Kids or Grandkids, There's Something You Want To Think About...

Jean and I were blessed to celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary with our kids and grandkids on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Ireland this past week. It was one of those memories we'll cherish for the rest of our lives.

We explored almost the whole Island—North, South, East, and West. We visited Dublin, Belfast, charming little villages, castles, and churches. Among my favorites were the pubs. We enjoyed everything from a boys' trip and a Jameson whiskey tasting to delicious fish and chips in Howth, along with some shopping in between. Even learned a little Irish Jig.

I have to give credit where credit is due. Our daughter, Jessica, made the trip incredibly easy and enjoyable. She spent days researching, planning, and booking airline tickets, hotels, excursions, and even finding some of the best pubs and restaurants for dinner each evening.

Without question, if I had been in charge, the trip would have looked much different. We probably would have spent more money, seen fewer things, eaten at some forgettable restaurants, and gotten lost at least twice. (Okay...probably more than twice.)

Jessica and Frank (my son-in-law) had already spent a week in Ireland, so they knew the lay of the land. They understood the travel system, the timing, and even some of the latest travel apps that I had never heard of. I learned a lot just by watching them.

Yet, even though I knew they had more experience than I did—and even though I genuinely appreciated everything they had done—I found myself, at times, not enjoying being told where to go, what time to leave, or when we needed to be somewhere. That surprised me.

Why was I resisting people who were trying to make my life easier? After thinking about it, I realized it had very little to do with Ireland. It had everything to do with me.

The older we get, the more accustomed we become to making our own decisions. After decades of leading families, running businesses, raising children, and solving problems, it's easy to believe we're supposed to be the ones giving the directions instead of receiving them.

But here's the truth: experience is valuable, yet it doesn't eliminate our need for feedback or guidance.

In fact, it may increase it.

One of the greatest dangers after 60 isn't losing our abilities. It's quietly believing we've learned all we need to know.

The Bible says, "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice" (Proverbs 12:15). Notice it doesn't say a young man listens to advice. It says a wise man. Wisdom isn't measured by how much we know. It's measured by how teachable we remain.

I've also discovered that receiving direction is a little like riding in the passenger seat while someone else drives. You know they're doing a fine job, but every now and then your imaginary brake pedal starts working overtime.

Maybe it's just me. As I reflected on our trip, I realized Jessica wasn't taking away my independence. She was giving our family the gift of a better experience because she knew something I didn't.

Isn't that what good feedback does? It allows us to benefit from someone else's experience instead of insisting on learning every lesson the hard way.

The older I get, the more I want to surround myself with people who aren't afraid to lovingly tell me something I don't already know. Whether it's my children, trusted friends, or brothers and sisters in Christ, I need their perspective because I still have blind spots.

After all, if I could benefit from my daughter's guidance while navigating Ireland, maybe I can also benefit from God's people helping me navigate the rest of life's journey.

Growing older should never mean growing unteachable.