Wednesdays Word........Disappointment

As you can see it has truly been a while since I've even thought about my blog. Which for some who are extremely desperate to hear my thoughts it may have been disappointing for you not to see anything from me in a while. If that's the case we may need to talk and just maybe get you a little help. Yeah I've had fleeting thoughts like oh that'd be good but nothing really compelling me sit here and take the time

So many times in our lives we face circumstances that are bound to leave us disappointed, discouraged or lost. Many times these are areas in our life, that despite our best efforts, are beyond our control because of all the variables involved but we still seem to have the most trouble accepting the outcome. Whether these are moments in our career, job seeking, our education, family or personal life it can consume us. Will it affect you? Yes. Does it define you? No. Generally what it boils down to is that we need a new perspective, a new point of view or maybe a wake up call to get us to look at the bigger picture and the greater purpose of our experiences.

We become so focused on the final outcome that we overlook the journey that got us there in the first place. It has become so ingrained in our society to focus on the prize that we forget about everything that comes with it; good or bad. The fact is that sometimes the growing through a process is a much greater benefit than the final outcome. Especially when you look at the odds and all the choices and chances that get us to that specific point at that specific time in our lives.

So why the mushy keep your head up pep talk?

Some of my friends and family know that I had applied to be a part of the Disney Parks Moms Panel. Yes I know I'm a guy but we are people too. But this is a group of parents who use their trip expertise to help others navigate what could be their once in a life time trip for their family by answering questions and giving tips. Tens of thousands of people apply every year but only a few make it each year to be a part of this team. But in the selection process maybe 5-10% get the chance to make it to the next round, which I was chosen to make it on to round 2 this year. Then you have to make a short video and answer more essay questions both about yourself but also "test" type questions on what you'd recommend for families to do. When I got that congratulations email I was shocked because I barely remembered applying since I had a 1 day window because the remaining time I was actually at Walt Disney World. I was also sick and pretty doped up on medicine so that might have had something to do with it too. It was quite the honor to make it that far and a lot of fun creating my video (even though it might of embarrassed my boys a little) and putting together my answers. My wife and I had actually compiled a Disney tip book over the years because of the number of people who knew our love for Disney World and were seeking our opinions for planning their trip.

It was a lot of fun finding a lot of the others who had made it this far too through Twitter and Facebook. Getting to share our Disney"geek"side with others in the same boat who understood what we were going through was a nice comfort to have. As the days got closer for the next cut nerves were obviously on edge for some and a lot of the fun was taken out of the process by a few in the minority that complained and couldn't take the funny cryptic tweets anymore because it was stressing them out. You could see people beginning to obsess over things and could no longer eat or practically function. Then they changed the notification date and that's when I began to look at the process from a different perspective.

I really think the date change to the 11th (Veterans Day) was intended for me to look at what the day really was. It wasn't meant to sit around a computer or smart phone and hit refresh desperately waiting for an email we assume will change our lives or wreck it depending what it says. No it is a day to honor those who have dedicated their lives to sustaining the freedoms that allow us to pursue our dreams such as these. People begin to lose sight of the fact they have even had the chance, of what the majority of the world would consider, of a lifetime and go on a Disney vacation. I have been on a mission trip to the slums of Mexico where I've handed a little boy with no shoes an old soccer ball and you would of thought I gave him a million dollars from the smile on his face. I have sat and read to a little girl on an Indian reservation who in that moment didn't have a care in the world because she had someone paying attention to her. I've packaged meals to be delivered around the globe and I've helped the homeless just 30 minutes from my house. I've been blessed more by helping these people than I ever could in giving someone a 200 word answer on how best to enjoy their time at Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Parade. So I began to step back and not just look at this moment but to all the opportunities I've had to share my love of Disney with my family and friends. I didn't grow up getting to take family vacations to Disneyland or Disney World. My first trip to see the Mouse was when I was 22 and we live just about as far away from each as you can get so we can't just go when ever we want to on top of the fact we can't afford to go several times a year or even yearly like some people. So because of these things I cherish the chances we do get to spend time as a family on a vacation especially a Disney one.

While I didn't get the answer I necessarily wanted, I got the answer I needed to hear at that moment and it wasn't the "sorry maybe next year" it was the.......you are doing things that make a difference so don't worry about this. All this being said will I apply again because I am lucky enough to still be qualified to apply due to my wife and I taking the trip of a lifetime to attend both nights of Night of Joy a few months ago. But I've also been on the other side. A few years ago I lost my job of 10 years with the company I assumed I'd retire from, which obviously ended up not being the case. But with support and trust in God I knew my family would be OK. I didn't know the outcome but I had enough faith to make it through. But for 4 years we didn't take a vacation let alone a Disney one. So making it as far as I did once I was eligible again was an unexpected blessing that sparked that creative writing part of me that had fizzled away this year. And in one of those "just so happened to be" moments that helped reassure me to stick with it I got a message from my sister-in-law this morning that my brother was giddy (if you know my brother this is the proper word) with excitement at the possibility of a trip to Disney World and wanted my help and opinions.

So while things don't necessarily happen the way or when we want them, we should always remember that we are bigger than any title we could ever be given, better than our own opinion of ourselves and the praises we earn from outsiders can't even compare to those received from loved ones. Remember to keep your energy focused on the things you can control, stuff that matters and bring joy to those around you.

Wednesdays Word......Broken

Ever have one of those moments where you've heard a song many times but then finally really "hear" the lyrics? Or maybe done something over and over and then finally realize a deeper purpose? Or many of us will read a bible passage and then feel or see something you've never noticed before but it's exactly what you needed at that moment in time?

With today being Ash Wednesday and the beginning of the Lent season we are supposed to focus on our sin, our brokenness, and bring these things to God and ask for forgiveness. Many of us will look to give up something as a sacrifice but our daily cycles can get in the way and we will fail. Failure is good because it reminds us of why we need a savior and that we can't do these things on our own. We tend to forget Jesus in this part of the picture and the time He spent fasting in the desert...for us, for our sin and failures. But why is it so many times we only come to God when we are to the point of being beyond broken and hurting but only to ask God....Why?? Why me?? And yet when things are going our way and times are easy, we never question it and many a time we don't even pause long enough to offer any thanks for those blessings. On my way to work this morning while watching another fabulous sunrise I thought it was very fitting that I heard the song Broken Hallelujah by The Afters. It got me thinking about some of the things I've shared with our church's youth group while teaching Sunday school and our Wednesday night groups. But first here's the words....

I can barely stand right now

Everything is crashing down

And I wonder where You are

I try to find the words to pray 

I don't always know what to say 

But You're the one who can hear my heart 

Even though I don't know what your plan is

I know You're making beauty from these ashes

I've seen joy and I've seen pain

On my knees, I call Your name

Here's my broken hallelujah 

With nothing left to hold onto 

I raise these empty hands to You 

Here's my broken hallelujah 

You know the things that have brought me here

You know the story of every tear

‘Cause You've been here from the very start 

When all is taken away

Don't let my heart be changed

Let me always sing hallelujah 

When I feel afraid 

Don't let my hope be erased 

Let me always sing hallelujah 

Hallelujah

I will always sing

Here's my broken hallelujah 

We have increasingly become a society that demands instant gratification. We don't want to have to work at things and we have a sense of entitlement that has us living in the now and forgetting about seeing the big picture of life with its ups and downs and growth through situations and circumstances. This may sound weird but we need to fail. Sometimes failure and brokenness is the only way to get our perspective back to where it needs to be. It's what we do with our pain and hurt from these situations that will change us and those who hear our story. Jon Acuff (blogger/author known for Stuff Christians Like) once posted a picture that helped make sense of things for me. "Sometimes, God redeems your story by surrounding you with people who need to hear your past so it doesn't become their future." So many times we want answers, we feel we need them or deserve them or else. Or else what though? We know the final outcome isn't that enough? I always tell the kids at church that your testimony isn't the most important part of your story....it's what you choose to do with it that matters the most. Not only does it matter to your personal mental, physical and spiritual well-being but it always matters to God. Our decisions can either draw us closer or separate us from God so if you can be open and honest about your struggles with a humbleness that can only be given to us through faith then the Holy Spirit will grant us peace that can only be given by our entrusting the situation to God. So remember that if someone can see you make it through a personal struggle it can give them hope that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and that something wonderful can come from our brokenness if we let it and surrender to the process.