I’ve always had an infatuation with Mickey Mouse. When I was three years old, my mom got me a GIANT stuffed Mickey Mouse for Christmas (see picture, Mickey was an excellent tea party guest). I always loved that Mickey and still have him to this day even though he has seen better days. For so long I would see Disney World commercials and dream of one day getting to meet the world renowned mouse. I would see that commercial where the four year old is walking around Disney World bumbed until she spots Mickey. She runs up to him, gives him a BIG hug and says, “I’ve been waiting my whole life to meet you!” I HATED that commercial! Here I was, twenty something and I was STILL WAITING!

Well, this past summer my chance finally arrived. I had the opportunity to take pictures at a wedding in Florida and, YOU GOT IT, to go to DISNEY WORLD! I was so excited that even the three day drive didn’t compare to the fact that I WAS GOING TO SEE MICKEY MOUSE.

So we arrived in Orlando on the fifth day of our vacation and I grabbed every single Disney brochure that I saw! Maps, facts, frequently asked questions and answers, you name it, I had a brochure on it. During dinner Papa, Nana and the whole family sat and charted our course of action in tackling the entire Magic Kingdom in one day. That night, much to Shawn’s dismay, the girls and I were so keyed up and excited that we couldn’t sleep. We all stayed up until early morning watching a cable channel that talked about all the rides and the sights that were a “must see”. We watched it over and over before we finally got some sleep.

The next day was fully of joy, laughter, thrill, and a TON of walking. Finally toward the end of our day, we still had some key sights that each person wanted to see, including Mickey Mouse. It doesn’t work like they say on the commercial. The characters are at certain spots throughout the Magic Kingdom and you have to stand in line for 30 minutes to over an hour (which we did stand in line for Arial for 1 hour and 15 minutes) in order to see them. So the girls and I embarked on our own to find Mickey! And sure enough we found him! But, you guessed it, there was a LINE! Our feet hurt, it was hot, and only a few select people got to go in at a time. The kids were cranky but still we waited and finally the moment came! The grown up in me knew that this was just some person in a costume, but the little three year old in me bubbled with joy!

All of that for a moment of joy. How much more joy will there be in the presence of God? If you think about it, we are in line for the moment we meet our Father face to face. I read and planned and walked ALL DAY, put up with bugs, tolerated the crowd (and was there ever a crowd!), sweat like crazy in the heat, and all for a fictional MOUSE! How much more should I be willing to give for my Savior? He is undoubtedly the most famous person to live, and He has saved my soul, and yet each day goes by and have I read, planned, WALKED, put up with the trials, loved unconditionally those who He has placed around me (even the grouchy, grumpy, old cusses), have I sweat for Him?

Mickey was my stuffed friend when I was three. Jesus is EVERYTHING I’ll ever need. It doesn’t matter if I own a huge house, got a pile of degrees, or drove the nicest car. When I stand before Him, He will see the effort I put forth for this cartoon character and how my effort for Him pales in comparison. Here are six things that I plan to work on starting today. If you can relate, maybe this will help you too.

Instead of reading the brochures, I’m going to READ His word:

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. ” -Psalm 119:105

“Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” – Joshua 1:8

PRAY often (when we pray we are planning to follow Him):

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Instead of walking aimlessly, I’m going to LIVE it out:

“If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. ” – Romans 14:8

When “bugs” cross my path as DAILY TRIALS:

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” – James 1:2-4

In the “crowd” I will LOVE OTHERS (unconditionally):

“By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” – John 13:35

” Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” – Ephesians 4:2

I choose to “sweat” for my Savior by WORKS He will do through me:

“Then they asked him, ‘What must we do to do the works God requires?’ Jesus answered, ‘The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.'” -John 6:28-29

“It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” – Ephesians 4:11-13

So what do you say… will you read, plan, walk, withstand the “bugs”, deal with the crowd, and sweat for our Savior… you leave this world with nothing but the choices you’ve made for Him (don’t forget that refusing to choose is still a choice).

Suggested reading: 1 Thessalonians 5