My parents took me to Disneyworld for the first time when I was three years old. I don't remember it all that much, but they sure do. One of Dad's favorite memories of me as a little girl happened there.
Goofy's "Barnstormer" was my very first roller coaster ride. It was a "mini coaster," which only meant that it was perfect in size for small children but big enough to match a young kid's spirit of adventure.
When we noticed it while walking around in the park, Dad looked down at me and asked if I wanted to ride it. The way he tells the story, I was quiet for a short while then, with a faint smile, nodded my head.
We waited in line until finally it was our turn. Dad helped me fasten my seat-belt and then wrapped his arm around me so I could hold on tight.
They pushed a button and we were off. Dad says I just sat there the entire time, silent and still, gripping his arm and closing my eyes. When the ride slowed down and came to a stop, he leaned down to see if I was okay.
It was my most famous six words: "I'm a little scared right now."
I guess that's one thing I miss about being a kid... we can be honest about the way we feel. When we're young, we are okay with not being "okay" all the time or trying to act like a "tough guy."
And somewhere in the course of life we lose that mindset. But as we grow older and face more challenges, tragedies and pain, we need to relive those moments of being honest with ourselves and with those around us who love us.
Inevitably, tough times will come. One second we're walking in the Happiest Place On Earth... and then we turn a corner only to come face to face with our own Barnstormer. Good thing there's a hand to hold along the way and a God that doesn't change what He thinks about us when we get "a little scared."
But let me back up...
Dad never would have taken me-- his daughter, one of the loves of his life-- on that roller coaster if he knew it wasn't safe. He wouldn't have asked, he wouldn't have waited in line, he wouldn't have sat me down in the seat. He wouldn't have because I meant too much to him, because he loved me too much.
Now, Dad somewhat expected me to be scared. After all, it WAS my first roller coaster.
That ride was bigger than my three-year-old self. Wayyyy bigger. Dad was more than well aware of that. But he let me ride anyway. Why? Because it didn't matter if the roller coaster was bigger than me.... what mattered was that it wasn't bigger than him.
I think the difference between being a "little" scared and "a lot" scared was in my dad and me being on the roller coaster together. I mean, we didn't just share the same seat... we experienced the same ride.
We can expect to have that same relationship and experience with God when life throws at us twists, turns, bumps and hills.
I've grown some since that day in Disney. Were I to revisit the "Barnstormer," I'm sure it would feel a lot smaller than it did 15 years ago. It's a pretty cool moment when it comes; that is, when those roller coasters which once upon a time felt so huge are now only distant memories that bear a victory and not a fear.
I've had more than my fair share of even bigger roller coaster rides. Being 18, my earthly father will not always be physically right alongside me as I face changes and challenges. That's just a part of growing up. But I do know that my Heavenly Father will always be there. God doesn't promise that we can handle roller coasters on our own, but He does promise that together, we can.
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33
God knows that us being "a little scared" is worth everything that life's roller coasters can teach us. One may look too big, you may feel too small. But that's only for a little while.
Trust Him. He's not just along for the ride... He designed the track.
-Rachel
Goofy's "Barnstormer" was my very first roller coaster ride. It was a "mini coaster," which only meant that it was perfect in size for small children but big enough to match a young kid's spirit of adventure.When we noticed it while walking around in the park, Dad looked down at me and asked if I wanted to ride it. The way he tells the story, I was quiet for a short while then, with a faint smile, nodded my head.
We waited in line until finally it was our turn. Dad helped me fasten my seat-belt and then wrapped his arm around me so I could hold on tight.
They pushed a button and we were off. Dad says I just sat there the entire time, silent and still, gripping his arm and closing my eyes. When the ride slowed down and came to a stop, he leaned down to see if I was okay.
It was my most famous six words: "I'm a little scared right now."
I guess that's one thing I miss about being a kid... we can be honest about the way we feel. When we're young, we are okay with not being "okay" all the time or trying to act like a "tough guy."
And somewhere in the course of life we lose that mindset. But as we grow older and face more challenges, tragedies and pain, we need to relive those moments of being honest with ourselves and with those around us who love us.
Inevitably, tough times will come. One second we're walking in the Happiest Place On Earth... and then we turn a corner only to come face to face with our own Barnstormer. Good thing there's a hand to hold along the way and a God that doesn't change what He thinks about us when we get "a little scared."
But let me back up...
Dad never would have taken me-- his daughter, one of the loves of his life-- on that roller coaster if he knew it wasn't safe. He wouldn't have asked, he wouldn't have waited in line, he wouldn't have sat me down in the seat. He wouldn't have because I meant too much to him, because he loved me too much.
Now, Dad somewhat expected me to be scared. After all, it WAS my first roller coaster.
I think the difference between being a "little" scared and "a lot" scared was in my dad and me being on the roller coaster together. I mean, we didn't just share the same seat... we experienced the same ride.
We can expect to have that same relationship and experience with God when life throws at us twists, turns, bumps and hills.
I've grown some since that day in Disney. Were I to revisit the "Barnstormer," I'm sure it would feel a lot smaller than it did 15 years ago. It's a pretty cool moment when it comes; that is, when those roller coasters which once upon a time felt so huge are now only distant memories that bear a victory and not a fear.
I've had more than my fair share of even bigger roller coaster rides. Being 18, my earthly father will not always be physically right alongside me as I face changes and challenges. That's just a part of growing up. But I do know that my Heavenly Father will always be there. God doesn't promise that we can handle roller coasters on our own, but He does promise that together, we can.
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33
God knows that us being "a little scared" is worth everything that life's roller coasters can teach us. One may look too big, you may feel too small. But that's only for a little while.
Trust Him. He's not just along for the ride... He designed the track.
-Rachel
That is such a cool analogy, Rachel! Life truly is like a roller coaster and you never know when a big old curve is up ahead to unexpectedly "blindside" you when you're not "ready" for it.
ReplyDeleteIt really IS comforting to remember that God is there with us, with his arms around us no matter what we go through on that coaster.
My wife and I went through one of those unexpected times this week (still going through it) with a loss in our family. It happens so suddenly, it's easy to start to question your foundation. You have a choice to make...am I going to run TO God, or run FROM God. It helps to remember that He really IS in control no matter what.
The other comfort that God provides is physical "angels", our loving Christian friends, that are there to simply cry with us and hug us. No words are really needed. Just being there and hurting with us meant SO much. They are friends that will drop whatever they are doing and just "be there". It was an immeasurable blessing.
I know this comment may get old, but...thanks again, Rachel, for the good word. Love your wisdom.