We just got back from a week in Florida with both sets of grandparents. My dad, who was with us for 2 days in Disney World, wrote this about our time there. He agreed to let me share it here! He writes a regular commentary for Moody radio in his position as VP for Broadcasting at Moody. Yep, I'm pretty proud of him!
My thoughts on vacationing with children and things spiritual later this week. But for now, here is good old Dad!
Moody Radio Commentary
1/30/08
Last week I joined our grandchildren (and their parents) at
Disneyworld. We had been in Florida on business. Our kids happened
to be at Disney at the same time and asked us to join them for a couple
days.
I’d been to Disney with our daughters when they were
little. After they grew up, my wife, Norma and I went as a couple: 2
adults. I’m sure our children thought we must be miserable there just the
two of us without our children. Not so much!
Being there with
grandkids was different. We helped with the little ones, but it was harder
to say no to the “I want that” statements from grandkids than it was years ago
to our own kids.
And, when there were meltdowns with the kids, we
had to quietly fade into the background while parents took the parental
discipline duties.
I got philosophical on this trip.
After one of the attractions, I browsed the ever-present gift shops and was
reading (not buying) inscriptions on some of the items.
For
example:
“There’s no journey like the journey into
imagination.” That made me think about my faith. And what the Bible
says that God is able to do immeasurably MORE than we can ask or
imagine.
Or take this one:
“Where dreams come
true” Disney is about dreams coming true and wishing upon a star. We
can wish all we want, but we know that not all dreams come true. However,
I do know that “with God, all things are possible to him who believes.”
And this one made me pause:
“Where everyone is happy,
no matter what your name.” Even with all the fun and amusements, even with
food and delights of every kind, I noticed not everyone is happy. Like the
mother at the cash register screaming loudly at her son who was running out the
door to the next adventure.
Or the dad saying, “We spend all this
money on you and all you do is complain.”
Or the little girl who
got frightened by an overly-aggressive Prince Charming
Or
the kid with a major melt-down from miles of walking, hours of attractions, and
a long day of stimulus overload.
Disney does a great job of
providing a day of Fantasy. But life goes on. Paying 72 dollar
admission doesn’t buy joy, peace, love and fulfillment of all your
dreams.
And then we have to adjust back to reality. After
Disney, our daughter’s family spent a couple days at the beach. She and
our 3 year old grandson were fascinated by the waves cascading on the
shore. She asked little Jacob “who made the waves?” Jacob responded:
“Mickey Mouse.” I guess they have a little theological re-adjusting
to do after the Magic Kingdom.
Year ago, Jay Kessler wrote a
Christian book he titled: “I Never Promised you a Disneyland.” The premise
of the book was that God never said all our dreams would come true. We
have no promise that life will be magical and fun. There’s no pixie dust
that will take us out of difficult situations.
In the real
adventureland of life, there are trials, disappointments, times of
unhappiness. But God promises to be there with us…with the result that we
will grow in patience and in virtue.
And it won’t cost you $74.00
to experience it.
For Moody Radio, I’m Wayne Pederson
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