Roller Coaster of Life

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (NIV)

In church, we heard about Elijah (1 Kings 18 and 19). Elijah was on top of the world because he had just proven His God was the real, true God. Shortly after, the queen orders Elijah killed. He runs for his life and actually asks the Lord to let him die. Extreme high to extreme low. So I got to thinking about ups and downs and….roller coasters. Surprisingly, I think faith can be described as a personal roller coaster through life.

You see it from a distance, the roller coaster known as “Your Life with God”. It’s the first ride you notice. However, there are lots of other rides trying to get your attention that look fun too. Maybe you choose to ride some of those first. You find they’re OK, but the roller coaster keeps pulling you back. Maybe a friend asks you to ride with them. The coaster looks daunting. Big hills, deep valleys and twists and turns. Once you get on, you’re on for the whole ride. You have a choice to willingly get on the ride….or not. You choose to ride. You get in and put on your seat belt or harness (think of it as God’s arms) to keep you safe and provide protection. It’s going to be a bumpy ride. You might dread the feeling of that first hill because you can’t see what’s on the other side. S-l-o-w-l-y climb up that first hill. A job is lost (click, click, click), a loved one dies (click, click, click), you question why you got on this ride in the first place (click, click, click). You have to get up high enough to be able to have enough push to get you through the rest. You’re not alone on the ride. You can hear the people in the front cars heading over the top of the hill and picking up speed on the other side. You fly down the hill and head into the twists and turns of life. Some happy, some down. You realize that even when you are at the highest or lowest point, the rails are underneath you keeping you on the ride. You come screeching into the station. The attendant asks if you enjoyed the ride.

In light of eternity, the ride was a blip 2 ½ minutes tops. You may have waited longer to get on the coaster than you did on the ride. Now you get to enjoy the rest of the time in the park. J

Too sweet.....little children :)

(NIV) Matthew 11:25-26 Rest for the Weary ²⁵ At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. ²⁶ Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.

This week, the kids and I are helping with vacation bible school. Tuesday during snack time, one of the little girls came up to me and set down a cup of water. I asked her who it was for and she smiled and said, "it's for you!" Then she gave me a hug and ran off to play Duck, Duck, Goose. She's only known me 2 days. What a nice little pick me up and reward for me.

Young children are so much more free with their emotions! When they're mad, you know! When they're sad, they cry. When they're happy, they laugh. I think we can learn a lot by hanging around younger kids. I do believe God has gifted them with a special knowledge well beyond their years.

If you are blessed to have younger kids in your life right now, take time to enjoy their outlook on life. It is often said (and I didn't really believe it), but they do grow up faster than you realize. If you have older kids....they still need somebody to talk to and bounce ideas off of. They're learning to make their own way in the world. Help them learn about God as a friend. Even though I went to church (twice on Sundays) growing up, I didn't realize the friendship/relationship that God desires with all of us until much later.

Storms....

Since I last wrote, school has ended for the 08/09 school year. The summer lays ahead of us and it seems like SO much time with empty days to fill. But the days will fill up as they always do, some with cries of "I'm bored" (ahhhh the days of youth!), some overpacked with too much to get done in one day.

Last night, I finished a book I was reading and started looking at some of the writing I've done when I actually sit down, read the Bible, listen for the still small voice and write down whatever comes to mind. Since the last entry I wrote was about being centered and staying in the eye of the hurricane, I thought this might be appropriate. There have been days I feel this much more than others, but still always a good reminder.

Luke 8:24-25 (NIV)
24 The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Master, Master, we're going to drown!" He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. 25 "Where is your faith?" he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, "Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him."


THE STORM

Sometimes a storm rages across the land
or the ocean or the sea.
Sometimes the storm happens within me.

A physical storm with thunder, lightning, rain,
an internal storm with sickness, weakness, pain
Afraid? No faith?
Believe in the ultimate storm chaser

We may think Jesus is sleeping and we will surely drown.
He calmly says peace, be still
and the storm will calm right down.

Often times the storm lasts longer than I’d like,
but I’ll sit down and ride it out
God is in control.

Whatever storm(s) you may be going through right now, please know that you are not alone in the boat. God does not sleep. There is NO storm to big that with God's help we cannot ride through. When we give up control, we make it easier for God to calm the storm....or at least calm us to deal with it.