Serving the masses, seeing the one

Our swagger-wagon inched along…no, centimeter-ed along…in a long lineup of cars just one block away from the Disneyland main parking structure. It was 9:00 in the morning and this was only a glimpse of what was in store for us at our destination. Three boys sat in the back, crazy with anticipation for the exciting day ahead. Our foster agency designated this particular Saturday to treat its foster families to a day of family fun and bonding, helping to create lasting, precious memories for children and families impacted by trauma.

Why were there SO many people today?

After 45 minutes, we reached the final ramp before the parking structure when a young female cast member quickly moved a cone across our lane to block it off. Signs rerouted us several blocks south to the Woody parking lot. By the time we finally parked, boarded a shuttle bus, reached the entrance, waited with a MASS of people to get through the security line, and found our case manager to receive our tickets, it was 11:00! We chose to go to California Adventure to avoid the crazy crowds inside Disneyland.

What makes Disneyland such a popular destination?  With these hoards of people on Saturdays, who would possibly want to continue coming back? 

Well, Disney has a way with people, you see. The guest sees a sea of faces and bodies who get in the way of a wait time of zero minutes. We rush to obtain fast passes and seek out the bigger rides during lunch and dinner times to avoid waiting with the masses. Cast members (as employees are called) see guests who are to be served with pleasure, worthy of individual attention. They answer questions with gladness and characters take time to stay engaged in conversation with the child who finally meets them to take a photo. There is no hurry.

Just like Jesus.

There is no hurry when we finally meet Jesus face to face. A large crowd pressed in on Him, yet He stopped to notice someone…

“Who is the one who touched Me?” (Luke 8:45)

What? Um… EVERYONE was trying to get a hold of Him, crowding and pressing in on Him for healing.

“Someone did touch Me, for I was aware that power had gone out of Me.”

A trembling woman fearfully went up to Jesus and told Him what had happened.  She had been hemorrhaging for 12 years and believed that He would heal her. With a touch of His garments, she had been immediately healed because of her faith! He waited to let her tell the whole story. He saw. He cared. He listened. He healed.

Will you see the one amongst the masses who needs you?

We have a mass of over 400,000 foster children in America. Perhaps one hurting child who desperately needs a family and a safe home to live is meant for you. He doesn’t mind that you don’t have a mansion. She doesn’t mind that you have other children. He wants a home with parents who will love him and keep him safe. Call your local foster care agency or seek more information online.

Soaring over the World marked the end of our long day at California Adventure, a theater ride giving us a bird’s-eye view of prominent and beautiful landmarks around the world. This world that desperately needs Jesus. We left at the end of the day, filled to the brim with new Disney memories and sweet fellowship with our family and friends. Dragging our sleepy selves out the front gates, I marveled again at the HUGE crowd waiting for the shuttles to take them back to their parking lots and wondered who would ever want to work at such a place with potentially so many angry people cutting in line and wanting everything RIGHT NOW for ME. The Holy Spirit brought to mind Jesus feeding the 5,000 as well the hemorrhaging woman.

Will you see the One who loved us first? Will you follow His example of loving one from the masses?

See the one child. Care for the one baby. Listen to the little one. Help with the long journey of healing for that foster teen.

Are you ready to start your own fostering journey to see and love the one in the midst of the masses?  Comment below and let me know your thoughts. I would love to hear from you.

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