Motivation of the Heart found at Disney

Five days at Disney...what could be better? For some people hemorrhoid surgery would be more enjoyable, however if you are a Tillman this is about as perfect as it gets. The only thing better than 5 days at Disney would be at least 7, maybe 10.

Todd and I love Disney and have raised 3 children who love it as well. As soon as one trip is over, we start planning the next one. We go knowing that there will be people; lots of people from all over the world. We make a game plan and go about it as best we can, but we also know that you must be flexible in a crowded theme park atmosphere. We talk about our game plan so that everyone is involved and has input into what they would like to do or see. We are really very fortunate in this aspect.

All of this being said, I did not plan on having such a God moment at Disney this last time. I don't know why that seemed like such a foreign concept to me. God doesn't live in a box. He is everywhere, even Disney. He has even taught me lessons there before. (Like someone finding Olivia's pin lanyard, turning it in and us getting it back 2 weeks after we got home. If that's not God! But that is a different story entirely.) I guess I just didn't think I needed to learn a lesson. When that is your attitude, watch out!

So, we head off on the first day. We drive down early on Wednesday. Arrive in time to check in our hotel and head off to Animal Kingdom. Jake is terribly excited because it is his first trip to Animal Kingdom. All goes well, but I find myself observing other people. Some look like me and that is comforting, but others do not. I then have to decide what to do with that uncomfortableness. I consider myself an open-minded girl. I just think, " It takes all kinds of people" and I move on. Later we encounter, big kids (age 4) walking around sucking passies. I'm being pushed a little further this time. What am I going to do with this? Really none of my business, but judgement starts creeping in. Why would you let your big kid walk around sucking a passie? Don't you know how bad that is for them? It will mess up their teeth not to mention their speech. So glad that I'm not that kind of parent. I certainly would not let my 4 yr. old do that. I'm so good. :)

The next day is Hollywood studios. Again another great day full of fun and new rides and experiences. Here we also encounter the screaming kids and the angry parents. Screaming kids because they are tired or hungry or have sensory overload. Angry parents because they are tired, hungry, have unmet expectations, etc. Oh No! A little pride creeping up, I'm so glad that my children aren't acting like that. I'm so happy that we didn't come here with unrealistic expectations of what this day would be. We are so good. :)

Third day...Epcot, a new experience for all of us. This really was a wonderful day. Todd got to spend most of the day with us. We enjoyed a fabulous meal at the Corral Reef. We rode Soaring and Test Track together as a family.

Certainly Satan was not going to sneak into this day. "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8 I'm about to get devoured by people on scooters. Whole families riding scooters around the streets of Epcot. Are they too lazy to walk? Are they too large to walk? What is their deal? Why are they getting right in front of me and my "good" family and slowing us down? Why does Disney even allow these crazy things? My self-righteousness just lays me out there to be swallowed whole by that roaring lion prowling behind the people on the scooters.

Thank you Jesus that I know the Shepard's voice and can hear him when he calls. With gentle correction He ask me, "What was the motivation of your heart when you planned this trip and brought your family here?" Of course my motivation was to have a good time, share this experience with my children and husband, and relax. "Do you honestly believe that the motivation of any of these people is much different than yours?" No. "Each of them is my child. I want for them and you the same things that you want for your children."

The next day was Magic Kingdom. After our little chat, I viewed it with very different eyes. I made sure that I had my "God Goggles" on. Things are always more magical through the Father's eyes, even 14 hours in the Magic Kingdom.

I had almost let this post slip from my memory. While listening to Francis Chan's podcast on "Holy Anguish," I was reminded of this lesson. He talked about parenting and how we all have different styles and things that we hold sacred, but all of our motivation is the same. Our hearts long to raise our children loving them the best way we know how.

So for me, the motivation of the heart is certainly something to consider. If the motivation is good, you have to give grace to the process and the outcome.