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I have a confession to make.  I was supposed to be on vacation.  But apparently my idea of “rest” involves averaging about 20,000 steps a day, riding roller coasters that make your stomach wonder where it went, attending a conference on weight and health, and trying to decide if I really needed just one more ride before the park closed.

The answer, by the way, was yes.  Many of you know how much I love Disney.  People often ask me why, and honestly, it isn’t because of Mickey Mouse… although he’s certainly not hurting the situation.  Disney reminds me of my childhood.  Some of my favorite memories are of being with my family.  Certain places become sacred because of the memories they hold.  Disney is one of those places for me.

As I’ve gotten older, though, I’ve noticed something different.  Everywhere you look, there are people from all over the world. You hear multiple languages. Families have traveled thousands of miles just to spend a few days making memories together. Grandparents, toddlers, teenagers who are pretending they’re too cool to be there (they’re not), newlyweds, people celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, retirements—you name it.  And here’s my favorite part.  Everywhere you go, Cast Members greet you with the same simple phrase:  “Hello, friend.”

Friend.  Wouldn’t that change the world?  Imagine if we started every conversation that way. Before deciding whether someone thinks like us, worships like us, speaks our language, or comes from our place in the world… we simply started with, “Hello, friend.”  That sounds a lot like Jesus to me.  Jesus had this habit of seeing neighbors where everyone else saw strangers.

Universal’s Epic Universe was another highlight.  I have one word.  Wow!  The creativity is unbelievable. As Christians, we sometimes forget that creativity is a spiritual gift. We worship the Creator of the universe. It shouldn’t surprise us that human beings love to imagine, invent, build, tell stories, and create beauty.

Then there was SeaWorld.  I’ll admit it—I almost skipped it.  I’ve always struggled with animals in captivity. I love animals too much not to wrestle with the ethics of it. While I was there, I learned that SeaWorld no longer breeds orcas and has shifted much of its focus toward rescue, rehabilitation, conservation, and education.  I went with an open mind.  I’m glad I did.  What struck me wasn’t a performance. It was the care.

I learned about animals that had been rescued and simply could not survive in the wild. I saw healthy animals. I noticed that no animal was isolated. They were living with others of their own species.  Do I still wish every healthy animal could live freely in the wild?  Absolutely.

But I also came away realizing that life isn’t always lived in ideal circumstances. Sometimes rescue is the most loving option available. Sometimes survival depends on people who are willing to care for creation when creation can no longer care for itself.  That reminded me that grace often meets us in imperfect places.

The conference on weight and health was another meaningful part of the week.  As many of you know, my own health journey has been long and sometimes challenging. One speaker talked about how lasting change happens through small, consistent choices rather than dramatic moments.  I smiled because I thought, “That’s discipleship.”  Faith isn’t usually built in one extraordinary day.  It’s built one ordinary day at a time.

One prayer.  One act of kindness.  One decision to forgive.  One worship service.  One step of faith after another.

Speaking of steps… apparently walking and using a scooter around Disney counts as exercise. I have the sore feet to prove it.  Vacations have a funny way of helping us see things differently.  Sometimes we need to step away from our routines to remember who we are, what matters most, and where God has been all along.

I’m grateful for childhood memories, for hearing languages from around the world, for being greeted as “friend,” for learning more about caring for my own health, and for a God who keeps showing up in places I don’t always expect.

And now, before anyone thinks I’m turning into a full-time travel blogger, let me assure you that as I set off again next Monday-Wednesday for another trip it’s decidedly less roller coaster and a lot more notebook.

I’ll be in Myrtle Beach for Duke Divinity School’s Convocation on the Rural Church. The gathering brings together United Methodist pastors from North Carolina and Western North Carolina to worship, learn, and explore how churches can continue sharing the gospel and strengthening their communities. This year’s theme is “And Who Is My Neighbor?” from Luke 10:25–37, with worship, workshops, and conversations centered on faithful ministry in changing communities.  Yes, it’s in Myrtle Beach.  No, this is not another vacation.  Well… it’s work with an ocean view.  I’ll take it.

One of the greatest gifts of ministry is realizing that we never stop learning. Every conference, every conversation, every vacation, every new idea has the potential to make us better pastors and, more importantly, better followers of Christ.  So, here’s to vacations that refresh us, conferences that stretch us, and a God who meets us in both.  See you Sunday!

Peace, Pastor Tracy