Spiritual Cheeseburgers: An Unorthodox Day Away with God
I often follow the same pattern for a “day away with God” – worship, prayer, reading, and reflection. You know, all the spiritual practices that fill the tank. But one day God chose to meet me in a totally unexpected way.
I sensed that 2 Corinthians 3:17 was going to be my meditation for the day. So, I decided to take a walk to the river near the church. Along the way, I meditated on these words: where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
At the river, I came across a secluded little section and sat down on a rock. The area reminded me of the elephant graveyard from The Lion King, thankfully without all the bones. There were branches scattered around, it was muddy and smelled of stale water. It was the perfect metaphor for my spiritual life: technically connected to the flow of water but nonetheless lifeless.
I took out my Bible and began to read 2 Corinthians. I wanted to hear the context of the verse I had been meditating on. I began to pray and listen for ways I was not stepping into the freedom God offers.
Here is where the story of my day retreat gets a little unorthodox. On the walk back to the church I heard (not audibly but nonetheless abundantly clear) an odd response to my prayer: Go eat a cheeseburger.
Of course, I questioned this reply. You want me to do what? I’m trying to enjoy a spiritual retreat here! Taste and see that the Lord is good. I know the sheep are supposed to know the Shepherd’s voice, but this was really messing with my head.
Allow me to provide some context. My husband and I had recently decided to start eating a more plant-based diet. So, though we still eat meat occasionally, a cheeseburger is pretty much out of the question. Red meat, dairy, and bread make cheeseburgers a three-strikes and you’re out kind of meal. But I love them.
Additionally, I had been struggling with some anxiety that was manifesting itself as tightness in my chest every evening for a couple of weeks. I could feel whatever was causing the anxiety building and the night before this retreat I finally broke down and cried. Being the mother of an infant while working and going to seminary is hard and I was dealing with the guilt of these constantly shifting priorities.
God knew exactly what I needed that day. I was a worn-out mom, a tired pastor, and an eager seminary student all rolled into one. God knew I not only needed a day away but a friend to sit with over lunch. My spiritual retreat ended at Applebee’s and even though the seat across from me was empty, I knew I wasn’t alone.
And as I sat there with my simple lunch, I realized how much of a gift that cheeseburger was. It became a metaphor for all the little ways God loves, cares, and provides for me. That lunch was a gentle reminder to let my strivings cease in favor of resting in His grace.
Friends, wherever you are in life and ministry God’s promise is still true: I will never leave you, I will never abandon you.
Rev. Samantha Freds is an ordained pastor in the Crossroads District of The Wesleyan Church. She enjoys being active outside, reading, and spending time with her husband and two little girls.
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From Rev. Robbie Cansler E2026 Conference Director:
Save the date for WHWC’s E2026 conference, February 23rd- 25th, 2026! We are excited to announce that we will be going north this year, to downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota!
We will be at the beautiful Hyatt Regency, which is connected to the city’s skyway system, a pedestrian walkway connecting the entire downtown! The hotel is also located along Nicollet Mall, and has easy access to the mall’s free bus line. There is a lot of easy access to dining, shopping, coffee shops, historic churches, art, and more!
The hotel has ample space for all 900+ of us to eat, fellowship, and worship in the same spaces! It also boasts a state of the art fitness center, including an indoor pool and gym, a beautiful fireplace, and lots of natural light to embrace the hygge of the north!
There will be ample cozy spaces to meet up with friends, new and old, and have deep conversations with warm drinks in hand!
Our conference will begin at 7pm on Monday February the 23rd and end around 9pm on Wednesday February the 25th! You can travel to the area by plane, train, or receive a discount on parking in the parking garage if you drive!
So, pack your warm socks, your favorite scarf and hat, and get excited as we prepare to join together to worship, to connect, and to engage, equip, and empower one another!
For more information about the Wesleyan Holiness Women Clergy Conference: https://www.whwomenclergy.org/
