When I was a little kid, I didn’t like amusement park rides.  I tried so hard to like them, but to no avail.  Time after time my friends would drag me there and bug me endlessly to get on a ride with them.  Every time that I did, I was always reminded why I didn’t want to get on in the first place. The entire ride my face would look something like this poor lady (smile).  I didn’t realize it back then, but part of my problem is that the rides mess with my equilibrium.  Let me tell you…that is not a good feeling.

My family and I have gone on vacations with friends that have included amusement parks. Everyone is always excited to get on the biggest and fastest roller coasters.  It’s not my number one choice for vacations, but I do enjoy watching them have fun.  And I do play an important role.  Picture the woman with the sunglasses with several purses, backpacks, and cell phones, and that is a picture of me.  The holder of stuff.  Without fail, they usually come off the ride and proceed to tell me that their eyes were watering, and snot was coming out of their noses.  And then they exclaim, “It was awesome!”  Really?  This is people’s idea of fun??  Call me crazy, but I don’t get it (smile).

Lately I’ve been feeling like life has me on a roller coaster.  I hate the ride.  I want to get off of the ride.  And just when I think the ride is over…the roller coaster starts up for another round and I have to go again.  There are tears (and snot because of those tears – smile), and I think to myself, “this isn’t awesome and it isn’t fun.”  When my kids get on a roller coaster, one of the things that worries me is that the ride will break and they will get stuck at the highest point of the coaster.  And that is how I’ve been feeling.  Stuck. Focused on the fact that I hate the ride. Focused on the fact that there isn’t anything in my power I can do at the moment to stop the ride.  It’s awful…and dare I say unfair (smile)?  I realized I’ve been looking at this all wrong.  I need to focus on the One that keeps me securely fastened in the ride.  The One who is in control of the ride and protects me.  I’ve been here with Him before. He knows the big dips, sharp turns, upside down twists, and He keeps me safe the whole time. He provides the security that I need and I need to trust in Him.  After all, I know the ride won’t last forever.  And I know that at the end, I will be a stronger person because of it.

Matthew 6:25-34

25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God[a] above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

I might not love rides (smile)…but I do love God and the people He’s created…and love matters.