I’ll Miss You On Vacation

Yesterday, I nearly missed my flight, but a kind Muslim woman helped me get through security more quickly, and I made it just in time. Within a few hours, I went from Detroit Metro to Minneapolis–St. Paul, and then on to Portland, Oregon.

My sister picked me up at the airport, and we drove around her hometown — the place she’s called home for over ten years now. I’ve never been here before, never seen her world in person. It’s good to finally be here. It also makes me feel a bit guilty that it took me this long to come.

It’s different than I expected. Nicer. Cozier. There’s a sense of life here. Over the phone, you try to imagine what a place is like, but a place without its people is always colder, more impersonal. It's not until you see the place with the people who fill it that it really comes alive.

Before I left, I was walking through our church auditorium, setting out microphones and trying to set things up so everything would run smoothly on Sunday — today — while I’m gone. It was quiet. Empty. Just a place. But as I stood there, I began to picture the people. The ones who fill that space with warmth and worship. And suddenly, the building felt different. Nicer. Cozier.

I felt a twinge of sadness knowing you’d all be gathering without me this morning.

May God bless you as you meet. Know that I’m thinking of you.

Bless You

• Pastor