Tip of My Iceberg

“Is there anything you could do to help me?”

Desperate. Pleading. Three young children, 95 degree weather, and we’d already been walking quite a bit.

I was at DisneyWorld with two grands and one of their friends. Three genuinely fun kids. We’d have five hours at the Magic Kingdom, a challenge of managing time and expectations. I was ready.

Not wanting to bring in my saddle bag of a purse, I’d put a credit card, passes, water and snacks in a backpack to tote through the park.

David needed a ticket. His dad had given me his credit card, so we were ready to go.

Until we got to the window where I handed the lady Rich’s credit card. She asked to see my ID.

“This isn’t my card. It’s his dad’s,” I said as I pointed to David. Smiled.

“I’m sorry. I can’t accept this without a form of ID. Do you have another card?”

I flourished my card for her, smiling broadly. Problem solved.

“May I see your ID?”

I’d forgotten I’d put “see ID” on the back of my card instead of signing it because we’ve had our identity stolen twice. NOBODY ever asks to see my ID when I’m in a store.

They do at Disney.

I tried to talk my way out of it. I’m good at that. As a rule.

No such luck.

Our time was limited. Going back to the car and getting the necessary ID would lose us another hour. We didn’t have that many to spare.

We opted for an alternative.

Dave and Buster’s.

I’ve never been, so it was quite the experience to show up to an arcade where adults and kids alike were laser-focused on playing. The kids alternated between watching their game point totals to blowing them on games they really enjoyed.

Not a bad alternative.

I can get quite disappointed when my plans don’t work out the way I foresee them happening. I’m not a naturally organized person, but when I think I know what I’m doing, I settle in for the expectations.

The kids were great with the change. I wasn’t. I’d planned the five hours. Space Mountain. Buzz Lightyear’s video game ride. Teags and I’d do the People Mover while Syd and David did roller coasters because he gets motion sickness.

The plan went poof.

Bummer.

The kids helped because they talked up the new plan. The new adventure.

It’s amazing how my attitude can affect the way I respond to my circumstances.

Life can’t be planned and micromanaged. That’s a myth. Life is fluid and uncertain. Some folks change better than others. But we all need to adapt to change once in awhile.

Knowing Jesus is already where I need to be and walking with me on the journey gives me great comfort. He’s outside the parameters of time and space, so He’s always been, is now and will always be. Being His, I’ll never be where He isn’t. I’ll never get so far ahead that He’s  not by my side.

Not even Disney can promise that kind of personal experience.