Disneyland: A World of Childlike Wonder

I hop off the shuttle, heart fluttering, ready to return to my favorite place, a land of nostalgia, a home away from home. Nothing could wipe the smile off my face as I pass through the familiar route to the front gates. When we reach the security tent, I know the drill. I take off my bag and smile uncontrollably at the security person, who returns an amused smile to me. I’m almost there!

I hear it before I see it. Happy tunes from beloved movies and rides all blended into a lovely score. Finally, I see those beautiful green gates, open and waiting for me. I hurriedly pull out my ticket, and hand it to the cheery old man ready to scan it. Then that wonderful little whistle sound lets both of us know it is finally my turn to go in.

Once through the gate I am caught in the tension between standing here for hours and savoring the magic and running down Main Street to my favorite rides. Somehow I find a happy medium, jaunting down the bright red bricks, waving to Mickey Mouse, and annoyingly pointing out hidden Mickeys and backstories to the names on the windows along Main Street to whoever I came with.

Then comes the glorious moment when I realize I am in a place of magic. I see the beautiful, pinkish, blueish castle standing at the middle of the park. It is all at once regal and magical, and humble and charming. With childlike awe, I feel like I can’t open my eyes wide enough to take in all the wonder around me.

Disneyland truly brings out the child and the dreamer in me…

I Wanna Hold Your Hand

As I sit at my computer (“doing homework” I tell myself) I’m half listening to my Beatles record and I hear the familiar

“I wanna hold your haaannnd!
…
and when I touch you, I feel happy inside
it’s such a feeling I can’t hide I can’t hide I can’t hide!”

It has such a beguiling charm- those little words, “I want to hold your hand.”

Do people get excited about holding hands anymore? Maybe I’m old fashioned, unexperienced, and naive (actually I know I’m all those things), but I think there is something so adorable and sweet about holding hands.

Even on a non-romantic level a love-filled touch can make all the difference. I live on a floor with forty girls and I need, need, need my hugs from my sweet dear friends every day. It really just makes me feel happy and special and loved. Everyone needs that.

I’m also showered with kisses and hugs and cuddles at work. I know that sounds weird, but I work at a preschool and I teach a class of seven little one and a half year olds. Okay that may still sound weird, but they are like my kids. Yep, still sounds weird; but over the last few months I’ve realized that I am a huge part of their lives- like a second mom. So it makes sense that we are close! Anyways, nothing beats coming into my class and having seven round faced, bright eyed little kids run into my arms to cover me with kisses and smother me with hugs. That will turn any bad day into a sunshiny daydream!

All this to say, enjoy the little things in life! Surround yourself with people who love you and never take them for granted. Show them you love them every day and they will do the same.

It isn’t healthy to be alone. God desires you to live a full life, which includes corporate living and loving. Look to Jesus, he surrounded himself with friends to love and be loved by. He ate with friends, traveled with friends, and taught his friends.

If you are desiring community and love today, just look to Jesus. Lean on him to deliver you a friend or two. He is faithful and just to provide and wants your best.

I want to leave you with this verse from 2 Corinthians 13:11 (man what a great post- it starts with the Beatles and ends with the Bible!).

“Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.”

Love to you all!