Tour Day 7 – Crestview FL to Panama City Beach

Waves are funny things. They are one of the most visible representations of energy transformation that we have in nature. What winds up as novelties in which our teenagers splash and try to ride boogie boards on started as the deepest and most powerful exertions our planet makes. As that energy harmonizes with the clockwork precision of the moon pulling the tides onto the shore, they just kind of lap up against us like eyelashes from a giant. It’s almost like the Earth is calling to us that it loves us deeply and longs to engage with us.

If you’re quiet sometimes, you can hear it almost anywhere. But, of course, our teenagers aren’t thinking that.  Shoot, they need to be practically forced to put on suntan lotion. All they want to do is have some fun. And did they ever.  In different ways, of course; some wanted to play catch on the beach; some wanted to collect seashells; some wanted to build sandcastles; some wanted to push the boundaries of how far the sponsors would let them swim away from shore (don’t worry, they found out quick).

Jesus is famous for his admiration for the love of children. I think it was because he found their innocence pure and unstained from the cynicism he found in abundance all around him.  I don’t know if our teenagers are exactly what Jesus was talking about; can you imagine Jesus calling “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them…” and then Will Hickman runs up and plops on Jesus’s lap (Get…Off…Of…Me, Will). Regardless, they are like waves crashing on the oceans of their lives – much of their innocence still in tow, but they feel the tidal tug to transform and become something unfamiliar.

I mean, it’s not really all that profound what we did today, and everyone knows I am wont to try and pry depth out of something mundane – even if it is a little forced.

The worship committee met tonight to rehearse for tour worship after we walked around a touristy little shopping mall called Pier Park. I’m sure they have something great in store for us. We wound up our room checks and now I’m trying to rush this out so Matt can get the post up. During room checks I told all my rooms that, because you’re young, you probably can’t feel how hard this day has been on your bodies – but trust me it has been hard!  Sleeping on the floor, immediately followed by hours in the sun on the beach, and then two and half hours walking around a tourist trap… You’re tired and I know it (of course, as soon as I mention that, they all apparently had the best sleep of their lives on that church floor).

They’re safe, we’re safe, we sing again on Sunday.  Love you guys – JH

P.S.

At the Pier Park mall all the sponsors ate at some themed touristy take on a seafood restaurant.  It wasn’t the best seafood I’ve ever had, but it was the best company. This group of sponsors are the best people I have ever known. Hands down. Full stop. I don’t know where the years will take us, but I know that these people are among the best friends I will ever have in my life. I am so, so, lucky.