Overcomer

Just because you have a rough day at work doesn't mean you want to give up. It just means that not everything went exactly how you wanted it to. You look forward to going to bed because that means the dawn is a new day, and maybe things will be better tomorrow. 

That was today for me. I still love what I do at Walt Disney World. But I encountered my first  couple of speed bumps. And that's okay! I decided to drive myself to work instead of take a bus. I thought I knew exactly where I was going, so I left allowing 40 minutes to get to my destination. I got completely turned around. Completely. I ended up in the Animal Kingdom cast parking lot (iow: NOT where I was supposed to be at all.) I didn't know it when I pulled up; I was prouder than a peacock for about five seconds. Then I started wandering around the parking lot... I don't know what I was expecting... my building to magically appear maybe? This is Disney after all. But I figured out "oh crap this is not where I'm supposed to be". I suppressed the urge to fling myself upon the concrete in distress. So I prayed. "God, I need some assistance pronto; I can't be late!" I looked around and around...and God answered my prayer. I spotted a kind old lady who was just arriving to work. She had on the cutest Kilimanjaro Safari outfit. Bingo. That's my walking map. So I scuttled over to her, and asked her for help. She immediately pointed me in the right direction. 

I sprinted back to my car, knowing I didn't have that long to spare. I was stressed, almost at my half-way point to "I'm done get me away from everything right now". So I was still able to function. I got in Fibrizio (my car), and the song on the radio was "You're an Overcomer" by Mandisa. If you don't know that song, the lyrics are: 

"You're an overcomer! Stay in the fight til the final round! You're not going under 'cause God is holding you right now! You might be down for a moment, feeling like it's hopeless, that's when He reminds you that you're an overcomer."

My spirits soared. My thoughts switched from panic to "I got this!" I followed the kind lady's directions, and got turned around 3 more times. And I kept singing "I'm an overcomer" over and over in my head. Eventually, I made it to my destination right as the van was about to pull away. It was a close call, but I made it!

Then the day took another turn. We started working on some specific skills that I just couldn't master. I was getting so irritated at myself, that the situation just got worse and worse. And I'll be honest... I was not singing "I'm an overcomer" in my head. I wasn't thinking the most pleasant thoughts... and guess what? It made it even worse. Even my trainers commented, "Well we just need to work on this! It seems to be getting worse, so you need to take a break and come back to it a little later." Granted, it was only the first day, but I don't like when I can't pick up on things. 

The day progressed, and we moved on to other things. Fun things. Difficult, sweaty, physically exhausting, but fun. And then thing, yet again, went downhill. I found out that I'm going to have to do something tomorrow that is a super scary and difficult thing. Something I absolutely did not want to do. I actually pretty stressed. At that moment, I became three-quarters of the way from being "stressed to the max". The day ended, and I was driving home. I was praying ninety to nothing, trying to sort out my sanity from the insanity. And what do you think came on the radio? "You're an Overcomer". Bam. I made myself shut up--mind and mouth. I opened up my heart, listening to the words of the song. The beginning of the song goes like this:

"Staring at a stop sign; watching people drive by; T Mac on the radio. Got so much on your mind; nothing's really going right, looking for a ray of hope. Whatever it is you may be going through, I know He's not gonna let it get the best of you..."

And as I listened to the rest of the song, I just felt a calmness take over my being. Luke 16:10 popped into my head (it's the one about being faithful in the small things, and you will be faithful in the big things). God whispered to my heart that maybe this particular task is my "little thing". If I do the absolute best that I can do, Disney will recognize that, and reward it with my "big thing". I'll move up a ladder, so to speak. Not that I'm looking for only promotions, but there are particular things that I want to be a part of. 

God never makes us do things that we can't do. Disney isn't going to assign me to something that will compromise my safety. I can do it. And I plan to wake up bright and early, and be the best that I can be! I'm an overcomer, and I don't give up. I'm excited to prove to myself and Disney that I'm more capable than I think I am. What an opportunity! 

This applies to you as much as it does to me. Whatever you're going through, you can do it. Seriously. We all go through some pretty crummy challenges in life. But you can turn it around, and make it a positive experience! God is just waiting for opportunities to make you shine. If you only do things that anybody and everybody can and will do, you can't stand out. Take those challenges, and make them an opportunity. You're an overcomer, after all. :)