What I Have In Common With Walt Disney!

As many of you may already know, December 5th was Walt Disney's 112th Birthday.

 

 

But what you may not have known is it is also my wedding anniversary. Now, I know you are probably thinking I planned that, especially when it is obvious that I have a slight Disney obsession, but I have to be honest, I didn't have a clue when Walt's birthday was 18 years ago! Sure, I grew up going to Walt Disney World as a child and enjoyed many visits to the parks but it wasn't till I was an adult, with my own child, did my love for Disney begin.

 

 It is also no surprise that my love started with the man who created it all, Walter Elias Disney. I have had the pleasure to read many great books about him over the years (oh how I wish I could of meet him) and it isn't just the fact that he was a talented artist or a visionary of his time, no, it is the little known facts that have made me grow to love the man and all that he has created.  

 

First and foremost, did you know that Walt was a Christian?  He came from a Congregationalist Christian background and was even named after his father's friend and their family's pastor, Walter Parr. In 1949, Disney wrote in Guideposts magazine: "I believe firmly in the efficacy of religion, in its powerful influence on a person's whole life. It helps immeasurably to meet the storm and stress of life and keep you attuned to the Divine inspiration. Without inspiration, we would perish. All I ask of myself, 'Live a good Christian life.' To that objective I bend every effort in shaping my personal, domestic, and professional activities and growth."
 

 

I am sure Walt's Christian background also influenced his love of people and most importantly his love of family. Walt was know for driving his girls to school each day and either Saturday or Sunday was always Daddy's Day. Did you know that Walt adopted his second daughter, Sharon? After a few devastating miscarriages, Walt & Lillian decided to step out in faith and adopt a baby girl in 1936. Besides his love and devotion for his own girls, he shared that love with the whole world in his family friendly cartoons, movies and theme parks.

I honestly could go on and on about the wonderful things Walt has done but lets not forget, it all started with a mouse, who just happens to be the most recognized icons in the world today. Walt's character, Mickey Mouse was designed as a purely innocent creature, filled with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and goodness. Did you know that these characteristics are also mentioned in Galatians 5:22 by Paul when talking about how our lives will be when filled with the fruit of the Holy Spirit?  I don't think it is coincidence that all of these godly virtues are wrapped up in Mickey and in his followers.

 So, Happy Birthday to a brilliant man, filled with the love of the Lord, the love for others and good old family values. I would like to think that it is divine alignment that I get to share my anniversary every year with the birth of this wonderful man!

 

God, are you talking to me?

 

Today, as I was checking Facebook, this saying from C.S. Lewis popped up in my news feed. I read the words, looked at the beautiful picture, but didn't really thinking much about the meaning of these two simple sentences. I continues to look around Facebook, reading a few running quotes, looking at some pictures, and then out of nowhere it popped up in my line of sight again. So, this time I re-read it, and really took the time to understood the meaning of those 16 little words.  "Don't shine so others can see you. Shine so that through you others can see Him."

If you don't know me, I am a Christian, working everyday to have a closer relationship with my Creator. I want to know Him better than I know anyone else, I want a relationship with Him greater than any other relationship I could ever find here on earth, and I want to know his will for my life so I can fulfill it (I figure less heartache for me if I am with His plan, instead of against His plan!). I know these things are what will give me the contentment, peace, and love we all search for in this crazy messed up world. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33 

 

So, when this quote by C.S. Lewis kept coming to my attention this morning and then weighing heavy on my heart throughout the day, I decided the Holy Spirit must be trying to tell me something.

I have to be honest, I am a work in progress when it comes to my Christianity, not always knowing when God is trying to speak to me, and most times too busy to even notice, but sometimes he knocks me over the head till I finally listen! Today, is one of those days. Now, I just have to figure out why he wants to bring this specific quote to my attention and what does he want me to learn from it.

 

My first thought was this blog. Why? I am not sure, but I think it is because deep down I wonder if sharing my goals, my accomplishments and my Disney fun is too self centered. Am I shinning so everyone will see me? I think there is enough of that in the world today, look at the people who are famous for absolutely nothing, like the Kardashian's, Pairs Hilton or the numerous reality stars. That is not why I originally started the blog, I honestly thought it would connect me with other like minded people, inspire me to be a better runner, and even maybe inspire someone else to get out and run.

 

So, where do I go from here? That is a good question. One thing I have learned throughout the years is to always seek His council first, so I plan to pray! I will pray to see if I can use this blog to show His righteousness instead of my own and if not, then it is time to move on. Life is to short to waste time on things that are not of His will! So, I ask for your patience while I figure it out. 

Until then, what are your thoughts?