You know those days that stretch so long they feel like three days squeezed into one? That was today. It started with the scent of hotel shampoo and ended with dessert at Denny’s—somewhere in between, I met the Lord in a Hilton ballroom and caught glimpses of His joy in a late-night laugh.
I didn’t come to Jubilee to be seen. I came to serve.
But as the day unfolded, I realized: even when you’re behind the scenes, God’s always front and center.
☀️ Morning Movements & Uneasy Beauty
I woke up around 6AM in our Wyndham Worldmark room, grateful for deep sleep. My roommate, not so much. Apparently, my nighttime noises entered a chainsaw competition—and placed. Apologies were made. Earplugs might be distributed tomorrow.
After showering while my friend worked out, we decided to grab breakfast at Snooze. If you’re ever in Anaheim and want sweet potato pancakes and a side of sunshine, this is your spot.
Then came Balboa Island—a coastal fantasy straight out of a Hallmark movie. Beautiful, yes. But also… curated. Affluent. Patriotic. It was clear this was an upscale, mostly white neighborhood—flags waving proudly from nearly every porch. I found myself wondering what stories aren’t told in places like this.
It wasn’t judgment. Just… awareness.
“The world tells us who belongs. But the Spirit reminds us we already do.” —Unknown
Even in beauty, I felt a subtle dissonance. That inner nudge—the one that questions rather than criticizes—felt like discernment. I’m learning to trust that.
🎛️ Cords, Callings, and Kingdom Work
By 11:30AM, the beach breeze gave way to tangled cords and soundchecks—my next assignment was calling.
I spent most of the afternoon at the Hilton, helping with AV setup for the Jubilee. Five hours of cables, configurations, and quiet coordination. Nothing glamorous. But deeply necessary.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” —Colossians 3:23 (NIV)
By the time everything was wired, plugged in, tested, and triple-checked, it was 5PM. I grabbed a quick dinner with Kuya (who’s always steady and gracious), then headed straight to the convention center for opening night.
🙌 A Night of Purpose and Cookie Dough Pie
The opening Jubilee service? Electric. Not in a hyped-up emotionalism kind of way—but in a God-is-here-and-you-know-it kind of way. The worship, the message, the expectancy in the room—it was the kind of gathering that reminds you why you keep showing up.
After service, my friends and I rolled into Denny’s like it was 2005, ordered cookie dough pie with ice cream, and a sampler platter—then laughed our way through old stories and inside jokes.
“A cheerful heart is good medicine.”—Proverbs 17:22 (NIV)
“Sometimes, God heals us with laughter and late-night fries.” —Me (and probably David if he had Yelp)
We didn’t solve the world’s problems, but we shared our hearts—and that was enough.
Soul Insights
1. Service doesn’t sideline significance.
Just because you’re not holding the mic doesn’t mean you’re not part of the message. Today reminded me that being faithful in the small things is never small to God. (Luke 16:10)
2. Discomfort can be divine insight.
Balboa was beautiful but stirred something. That quiet unease? Not judgment—discernment. I’m learning to pay attention to what feels off, even when it’s dressed in luxury.
3. God hides joy in ordinary places.
Not everything sacred has a stage. Some of the holiest moments today were laughter over pie, a smile from a friend, or watching someone’s eyes light up during worship. The divine often shows up in denim and diner booths.
4. You can be tired and still full.
My legs hurt, my eyes burned, but my spirit? Alive. Exhaustion is bearable when it comes from pouring into what matters. Even Jesus got weary—He just didn’t let it define Him. (John 4:6)
5. Faith is layered living.
This day held contradictions—sacrifice and joy, beauty and exclusion, work and worship. And yet, somehow it all made sense. “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him.” (Romans 8:28)
💬 Final Thoughts
I went to bed tonight with my car charging, my feet aching, and my heart quietly grateful. There are days when you question your purpose. And then there are days like this—where purpose hums beneath the surface of every moment, even when no one’s watching.
Balboa had the view.
The ballroom had the work.
But Denny’s had the realest joy.
Turns out, God doesn’t need a stage to show up.
Sometimes, He pulls up a seat at Denny’s.
🔁 Your Turn
When was the last time you felt joy sneak up on you in an unexpected place—like a diner table or a long day of service?
Share it in the comments. Or better yet—text someone you shared it with and thank them for being part of your joy.
© 2025 Amelie Chambord
Soul Path Insights 
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