Occupying Disneyland

This weekend I went to Disneyland with 16 other family members including some of the nephews and nieces under age four. We ended up having a nice time but it was not without fatigue at the end of the day. I thought that going in February, on a non-holiday weekend, would be a great way to avoid the crowds. I was wrong. I also thought that going during a recession may keep some people at home and we'd have less lines. Wrong again. The day started off with getting in line and ended in line. Everywhere we went, we were in lines-to park, to the tram, to the security line, to the admission gate, to the rides, to the stores, to the concession stands, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.-all day it was like this. Why in the world do they call it, "The Happiest Place on Earth"?!

The end of the night was the worst because Disneyland puts on a fireworks show and they close off certain areas of the park. You can't walk on the streets of Disneyland because Disneyland Occupy resides there. Disneyland Occupy is a large crowd of people (probably close to a million) who eagerly await the fireworks show (or the parades) and camp out until the big show begins-sans the tents. So, for those of us who enjoy the rides and shops, this is an absolute nightmare to get from one place to the other. If you decide to walk against the direction of the herded cattle, don't forget to bring your paper bag for the panic attack that may ensue. By the end of the night, when your feet and toes look like sausages, your neck aches from whiplash, you're thirsty and dodging one more stroller may put you over the edge, all you want to do is leave "The Happiest Place On Earth".

When I finally got into bed last night at the hotel, I mulled over the events of the day. I was praying and Disneyland was the last straw that broke my spiritual back. My heart was totally convicted and while I know this aspect of myself, I really hated it last night as I lay in bed. I am an impatient person.

In my head, I've thought of myself as a patient person-somewhat at least. When I started to delve on what it means to be patient, I realized that I need a lot of work in one particular area. I understand what it means to be long-suffering and I try to apply this to my heart. "Short-term suffering" is an area of weakness for me.

Yesterday, while riding Autopia (According to Disney's website:"Take the wheel and whirl around the tracks of Autopia, a fun-filled roadway where you can both be the driver of your own small car and get glimpses of things from the car's perspective!") with my two year old niece at the wheel (my legs were slightly longer for the accelerator), there were signs along the track that warned not to bump other cars. Well, at the end of the ride, while we patiently waited for the people in front of us to get out of their car, some junior high boy thought it would be funny to ram his car into ours. Of course I got whiplash as I caught Haddie from hitting the side of the car. Needless to say, I was perturbed. My sister and sister-in-law saw the whole thing happened and commented that I probably would not be very happy and would get a headache. As I got out of the car with Haddie, I heard him brag to his friend about ramming into my car and how funny it was, blah, blah, blah. Even though I did get a headache, I was struck with how predictable I am-even my family knew how I'd react. I definitely wasn't patient and in my mind, I wanted to know what parents raised this punk.

Later on, while standing in line just to get a drink (at least 20-30 minutes), I was with my roommate, Megan, and I said to her, "Why is it taking so long? How hard is it to get the order when everything is pre-made, my goodness, come on..." I wasn't trying to complain, I was definitely not happy with the situation and she said, "You need to be patient, you are not patient." After that, I started to ponder all of the situations in my life where "short- term suffering" was not ingrained in me.

I feel impatient when sitting in traffic every day. I feel impatient when I have to repeat myself to someone who wasn't listening or couldn't hear what I said. I feel impatient when someone is not working as quickly as they could to serve me-i.e. gas station, post office, grocery store-any place where there is a line.

I hate to admit it, but I sometimes live my life as though Burger King's motto, "Your Way, Right Away" is true for me. In my heart or aloud, I've grumbled because things aren't going exactly how I've planned. Harry L. Krauss Jr. says it this way in his book, "Domesticated Jesus":

"If I live my life according to the gospel, I won't hold any rights as absolute. Anything good that comes my way is a consequence of grace. Anything bad, well, I should be getting hell, so nothing quite compares with that. If I find myself angry and tempted to lash out, in essence I'm saying that I'm not as bad as I really am. I deserve the thing that's being denied to me. I'm downplaying my need for the cross and shaking a fist in the face of the One who died to save me."

As I laid in bed last night, I was moved to confessing my sinful heart to the Lord. I realized that it is not the end of the world if I don't get my way. It is not the end of the world if I don't get to bed on time. It is not the end of the world if I get home later. It is not the end of the world if I'm late or if I have to stand in the longest line in the world. These things are not a tragedy and my response should be one of patience.

Even though any type of long suffering is not enjoyable, I struggle more with the inconveniences of everyday life. It is far easier for me to acknowledge that God is sovereign when we suffer long term. I'm not sure why this is, but I know that God causes everything to happen for whenever and whatever He wants. He doesn't want me to respond with a heart of gold only when experiencing a long trial, but through every moment of the day.

So, another thing for me to work on spiritually. I'm looking forward to that one day where "I'll fly away O Glory"-I won't have any more struggles and I will be in the Happiest Place in the Universe-hands down.

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace-Ephesians 4:1-3

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,-Colossians 3:12

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant-

1 Corinthians 13:4

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law-

Galatians 5:22-23

And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all-

1 Thessalonians 5:14

“The times we find ourselves having to wait on others may be the perfect opportunities to train ourselves to wait on the Lord.” ~ Joni Eareckson Tada

“If I have not the patience of my Saviour with the souls who grow slowly; if I know little of travail (a sharp and painful thing) till Christ be fully formed in them, then I know nothing of Calvary love.” ~ Amy Carmichael