Confession

I have a confession to make. I am very remedial when it comes to vacations. I am simply not capable of taking extended time off and enjoying it!

We have taken time off. When Cindy and I got married we went to St. Louis for a few days before heading back to college. (I had to get back for football practice.) We did start a custom of going to a conference most summers. When we go to "Aldersgate" we see old friends and have a good time. I have tried for several years to call this "vacation" but I think I have been found out!

One year we took the kids to St. Louis and went to the Zoo and Science City and all those neat things. It was a fun few days.

A few years ago Cindy and I were thinking about what to do for our 30th anniversary. I even priced airfare and hotels for San Francisco. When it came down to it I just couldn't spend the money, so we went to St. Louis! (I tried to pass that one off as "going back to the place we went when we got married.) I confess. I'm found out. I am a terrible "vacationer."

A couple of years ago we met two other couples and spent two days in Branson and enjoyed that. One year we met another couple and just hung out for a couple of days. Last year, Cindy and I went to Memphis. We drove one day and went to Beale Street that night. The next day we went to Graceland! We went to a unique Elvis concert that night. Then we drove home the next day. Just writing these things out is very therapeutic! I am a failure at vacations.

Which brings me to this summer. I am basically taking off the month of July. We are even going to get out of town for a few days. (Cindy and I are going to Jurisdictional Conference in Dallas.) I am a delegate. I will be in meetings. Does this count as vacation?

I just HAVE to come to some staff meetings in July. We do have new people coming, you know. But I will not be preaching in July. Curtis has it all under control.

I got this great idea the other day. I could write sermons in July. That way I could be ahead when I get back to preaching in August. Somehow Cindy did not think that was a good use of time. O.K., I confess. I am terrible when it comes to vacation.

So there you have my confession. Maybe this summer will be different. Maybe I will actually get away and allow the Spirit to renew and refresh me. Maybe I can get re-energized. Maybe I can rest up. Read a book that doesn't matter. Go to a ballgame. Sleep late. Stay up late. Don't work. Don't worry. Maybe this year ... but I doubt it. Vacation. Somehow I just don't get it. But they do say admitting your problem is the first step toward solving it! Hmmm.