I’m used to traveling six weeks a year.

But everything changed when COVID hit in 2020. I didn’t travel all that year, and I finally took two trips in 2021. My husband and I spent a few weeks in November in Mexico, and God showed me his beautiful glory, something I needed to see after more than a year without traveling.

Check-in was very friendly.

We got a personal tour of the Club Med Resort where we stayed in Cancun. We were quickly shuttled to the buffet for lunch when we arrived. There was plenty of food to choose from, and everything was delicious. We especially enjoyed the drinks after our long flight from the USA.

A room with a view.

Shortly after eating, the bellman escorted us to our room, which had a beautiful tropical view from the deck. We quickly unpacked and headed to the beach. I wanted to soak up as much of the sun and vitamin D as possible. It was the rainy season, so I knew we needed to enjoy the weather when it cooperated, but even a rainy day on the beach is better than a snowy day at home. The first thing I noticed was a group of employees raking up seaweed, a task they tirelessly repeated for the next two weeks.

Palapas, anyone?

My husband and I parked our butts on some beach chairs under a palapa, where we sat until we got hungry for dinner. A server even walked the beach throughout the day, making sure our drinks never ran dry. He always smiled and remembered what we liked to drink. I saw God in him because he thoroughly enjoyed his job and said so.

The following morning, we ate breakfast at the buffet, and you guessed it, we claimed our beach chairs for the beautiful day that followed. Our server was there again and greeted us by name. He made us feel so special. We got to know him, asked about his family, and created a bond we will remember forever.

Restaurant choices.

Lunch and dinner were also buffets unless you chose one of the two specialty restaurants. There was also a snack bar on the beach, and I ate popcorn every day while reading a good book. The water was breathtaking, and I lived in the moment, treasuring my precious beach time after a year of deprivation. I missed seeing the ocean and found myself staring at it for hours.

Every girl’s dream.

My favorite night was when the restaurant had a chocolate fountain. There were fresh-cut strawberries galore, and I dipped until my heart and stomach were content. It was romantic. Most evenings, my husband and I went to see the nightly entertainment, which included singing, dancing, bands, comedy, and fascinating presentations about local history.

God’s glory was all around us.

The sunsets were another way God showed me who he is. There was a purple one and an orange one. I’ve never seen anything like that purple sunset, and I’m sure I will remember it for a long time to come. On the few days it rained, we sat inside the bar adjacent to the ocean. It was very relaxing, and our beach server found us at our new seats and served us for the day.

It was sad to say goodbye and head home.

I know I will go back again one day. What made the trip the most memorable was getting COVID ten days after we arrived home. Sometimes the bad things in life help us appreciate the good things God blesses us with, like a vacation.

I’ve been blessed to see God in Aruba, Iceland, and the Bahamas.

Where’s a place you’ve seen God while traveling?