Lines

Last week we were fortunate enough to be vacationing in Disneyland, and were also fortunate enough that it wasn't too busy and the lineups were pretty short (we walked right onto many rides).  One ride that wasn't very short was the lineup for the new Radiator Springs Racers ride.  I had been watching crowd trackers and knew that the lineup for that ride is typically 2-3 hours, so when we arrived at the park and saw that it was "only" 90 minutes, we jumped into line (much to Matthew's chagrin).  It actually only would have taken about 75 minutes but there was a breakdown, so that slowed things down a bit.  However, we were fortunate - a guy I talked to later in the trip had been waiting 70 minutes in line one day, the ride broke down, and the whole crowd had to leave the lineup - I think Matthew would have had a major meltdown if that would have happened to us.

I've seen many complaints about the lines in Disneyland - in the summer it seems like 45 minutes is a short one.  However, we need to get a little perspective....we're waiting in lines for rides people!  We have the money to enter the park in the first place (getting pretty pricey, let me tell you), money to spend $50 on lunch, money to spend $3.75 on a measley churro (essentially a long mini donut).  We should be thankful that we have the opportunity to wait in such a line!

Last night was a very busy night at the Mustard Seed - the wind chill was brutal and it's getting towards the end of the month, so people are running out of money.  When I arrived at 7 the place was packed and there were people waiting to get in - some people would have waited at least an hour just to get food.  When dinner was over and coffee was served, it was a half hour wait to get something from the coffee bar, and when we served leftovers, the line just grew longer.

I reflected on the long line as I stood behind the coffee bar frantically trying to serve everyone (luckily I had some help from one of my buddies from the community).  I can't imagine waiting that long with a grumbling stomach and a tired body, let alone waiting in the cold.  An then I thought of the children in Rwanda who walked for six miles and stood in line for food....because they didn't know when they would eat next.

We should be thankful for every line were are blessed to be standing in.