A Ride of Reckless Abandon



Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.
Psalm 37:7

Me with Hayleigh, February 2012
Last February, I visited Disney World with my second of four daughters for the National Cheerleading Championship. The competition is thrilling. The time spent one on one with my daughter is far more precious.

As we boarded the roller coaster, Space Mountain, Hayleigh asked if could ride together. Could we? That’s like asking if a mom of four has too much laundry to do. You bet!

Space Mountain is a favorite for me. There’s something about speeding through the dark to destination unknown that calls to the adventurer living in my heart. Why then does that same heart bristle when situation unknown lies around the corner of my life?

My Disney experience is relatively safe. I know it will end in 2 ½ minutes and I’ll be greeted by a friendly ride operator who sends me off with wishes for a magical day. The ride offers an identical thrill to thousands day after day.

The life planned by my Creator is individual with twists and turns unique to me. It has periods of indeterminate length in which I’m totally in the dark. What can I do when I’m tempted to scream and ask to be removed from His ride?

 Be still – Worry seeds in my heart and sprouts into fear and doubt. I have seen many a parent soothe the fears of a questioning child in line for an amusement park ride. Reassurance comes most easily when the child stops voicing their fears and listens to the parent’s guidance. When I stop, He quiets my fear and whispers words of encouragement.

 Before the Lord – The same parents who console their children, often stoop down to get eye level with their kids or sweep them into their embrace. When I struggle, I need to get eye to eye with God, press close to His heart and remember He’s looking out for my best interests. When I am before Him, He is what matters, not the unknown factors of my life.

Wait patiently – Like a never-ending queue line, the answers to my questions or uncertainties don’t always come quickly. However, when I’m trapped in a line and take the time to look around me, I notice interesting objects right where I stand. It’s easier to wait patiently when we stop looking at the end of the line and focus on the next step to take instead.

I have no idea if the ride of my life will last another 2 ½ days or decades. What I do know is I want to sit firmly gripped by His grace, belted by His love and ride to the end with my arms thrown up in reckless abandon. 

What thrill could  you experience with God today if You threw your arms up to Him in reckless abandon?

17 comments:

  1. Absolutely gorgeous sister Shannon! There is such peace when abiding in Him! ~ Blessings, Amy

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    1. Riding with Him is filled with peace and thrilling at the same moment. Pretty cool, huh?

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  2. Hi Shannon,
    what a wonderful post, such great analogies...........and what a sweet pic of you and Hayleigh. I live in central Florida so we
    have taken a number of rides on space mountain over the years.
    I am personally not thrilled with a ride in the dark, especially on
    a roller coaster............but am learning to be at peace in the dark times of life and yes, at times it is thrilling, the things He does, the things He teaches us, and the things we really learn that get down into our heart not just our head.

    Thanks for your great incites
    Love and Blessings hon, Nellie

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    1. Nellie, we used to live in Jacksonville. My daughters recount fondly how occasionally we'd wake up on a Saturday and just drive down for the day on a whim. Great memories!

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  3. About your last question, I think about it. it's a good question. What I want ( or is it will) is: threw your arms up to Him in reckless abandon. But my lack of discipline ...

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    1. That discipline (or lack thereof) will get us every time, won't it?

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  4. I will try to remember this when, at the end of June, my job will be fazed out and then in August I start student teaching (for no pay). And then the fear of not knowing if I'll be able to find a teaching job. I keep telling myself God wouldn't bring me through six years of college courses, while working full-time, and then not let me find work.

    Great post! Stopping by from VoiceBoks!

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    1. Sometimes it's both astounding and seemingly impossible when we see what lies ahead. Aren't we glad God is so much bigger than our limited view? Praying for you during this time of transition!

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  5. Life certainly IS a roller coaster! Thankfully, no matter if we feel we are in a dark tunnel or at the top of a hill, our Savior is holding us tightly.

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  6. Amen. Shannon,not to sound like I am at a loss for words, because I am not. All I can say to your wonderful post is... Amen.

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    1. :) Carla, I can not imagine you at a loss for words...but they're such good words! :)

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  7. Lovely, Shannon. I have trouble throwing up my arms sometimes...but sometimes they are thrown up for me. Persevere!

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    1. I hear that! Sometimes His gentle touch is more like a healthy yank in the right direction!

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  8. The picture of you and your daughter is so sweet.

    I had to surrender to the Lord just yesterday. One of my sons is struggling and I can only do so much...I've had to turn him over to the Lord and trust in his will. In all reality my son belongs to God anyway, but as a mother it's sometimes hard to relinquish my will to HIS.

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    1. Ugh! That struggle for control can be so difficult. I want to hold my kids with an open hand but all to often I find myself slowly closing my fingers once again.

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    2. I know, it happens so easily.

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