It’s almost surreal to think that just a week ago, armed with a VIP parking pass, we confidently pulled into Busch Gardens Williamsburg—only to immediately end up in the wrong lanes. So much for confidence.
Thankfully, we were able to course-correct and ended up with a prime parking spot close to the electric scooter rental. That turned out to be a blessing because I live with burning feet syndrome, and there is simply no way I can walk a large theme park for an entire day. Even with the scooter, my feet continued to burn. Pain has a way of reminding you of its presence, no matter how much you try to work around it.
Despite that, we had an incredible time.
One of the things we loved most about Busch Gardens was the ride experience itself. Unlike Cedar Point here in Ohio, where a Fast Lane pass often feels like a necessity, many of the attractions had surprisingly short wait times. My husband and son absolutely loved the roller coasters and both highly recommend the legendary Loch Ness Monster. My daughter gravitated toward the spinning rides like the teacups and the Catapult, which is really the Scrambler. As for me, I’ll take a good water ride every time.
The biggest challenge wasn’t the rides: it was the navigation.
The park’s layout felt surprisingly confusing, much like our experiences at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. The paperless maps and app navigation left a lot to be desired. My husband and I found ourselves missing the days of folding paper maps that you could spread out on a table and actually understand. We would have gladly paid a few dollars for one. Better navigation would have helped us maximize our All-Day Dining Passes and spend less time figuring out where we were supposed to be going.
That experience got me thinking about life.
Sometimes life feels exactly like that park map.
You start out convinced you know where you’re going. Then suddenly you’re in the wrong lane, headed in the wrong direction, dealing with obstacles you never anticipated. Chronic illness. Financial setbacks. Family responsibilities. Career changes. Disappointments. Grief.
You look around and wonder why everyone else seems to have it figured out while you’re struggling to find your next turn.
The truth is that most of us are navigating with incomplete maps.
What matters isn’t avoiding every wrong turn. What matters is learning how to course-correct.
There were moments during that trip when my feet hurt enough that part of me wanted to stop. Yet I kept going because the memories mattered more than the discomfort. I watched my family laugh, scream, and experience new things. I soaked in moments that I knew would someday become treasured memories.
Sometimes life requires the same determination.
Not because we are superheroes.
Not because we are stronger than everyone else.
But because there are seasons when we must lean on a strength that doesn’t come from ourselves.
As a Christian, I believe that strength comes directly from God. There have been many moments in my life when my own reserves were empty. Times when I simply didn’t have enough energy, courage, patience, or endurance left. Those are the moments when prayer becomes less about asking God to remove the obstacle and more about asking Him to carry you through it.
His strength will always surpass our own.
When life becomes difficult, keep moving forward. If you make a wrong turn, course-correct. If the path is painful, take the next step anyway. If your map doesn’t make sense, trust the One who sees the entire journey.
“Seek me, and you will find me when you seek me with all your heart.” — Jeremiah 29:13
And because practical tips are part of surviving any adventure, I wanted to share two inexpensive Amazon finds that made our Busch Gardens trip much easier.
First, we picked up adjustable eyeglass straps that kept our glasses secure on rides. If you’ve ever spent an entire roller coaster wondering whether your glasses are about to launch into another zip code, you’ll understand why these were worth every penny. We could enjoy the rides, see clearly, and stop worrying about losing our eyewear.
Second, we bought waterproof phone pouches for the water rides. The park was selling a single waterproof case for around $40. Instead, we brought a two-pack that protected our phones while also holding essentials like credit cards and cash. They ended up being one of the most useful items we packed. Both items are linked in my Amazon storefront under Vacation Must-Haves https://amzn.to/4g5j7qj.
Sometimes preparation helps us enjoy the journey a little more. The same is true in life.
You don’t need a perfect map. You don’t need perfect health. You don’t need perfect circumstances.
You simply need the willingness to take the next step, trust God with the destination, and keep moving forward.
That’s where the memories are made.
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