Rollercoasters.

I don't like rollercoasters. They are too fast, and they make my stomach woozy. People puke while riding them, and if you’re lucky they are sitting behind you instead of in front. The deal-killer for me is that my body type doesn’t really fit comfortably into the space provided, if you catch my drift. The last rollercoaster I rode was at Dollywood with my son when he was in the fourth grade. He is 28 years old now, so it’s been a while. I haven’t missed it at all.

Our participation on those mechanical Rides of Death is at least voluntary. Sometimes, though, we unwillingly receive a figurative seat on the front row of the first car, courtesy of Life. Two weeks ago, that is exactly where I found myself.

The date was June 15, 2016. I was out and about, putting in resumes at local elementary and secondary schools for teaching positions. Approximately 10:15 that morning, I received a phone call from the hospice organization that was taking care of my mother telling me she had just passed away. The news was not unexpected, but the timing is never what you think it will be. Arrangements were made via the phone, and since I only had one more stop to make, I decided to make it.

On the way to the final elementary school, my friend, next-door neighbor, and new principal of one of the local middle schools called and asked me to come back to his school and talk to him. I did, and in the course of the conversation he offered me a teaching position to work with 6th-7th grade students teaching Social Studies. My response to him went something like: let me think about it, my mom just passed away, followed by I’LL TAKE IT.

Can there be any more of a swing of emotion in such a brief time? The opportunity to return to My Purpose of education literally 20 minutes after my mother passed away? What was left of my good mind was sloshing out of my ears.

The only thing I could think of with any clarity is the phrase that I’m sure you are familiar with: God is good, all the time, and All the time God is good.

There come some poignant moments in all of our lives in which we are confronted with this question: Do we really believe what we say we believe? I have had several of those moments, as I know you have. The Lord has been faithful in walking with me through each of those times.

I have quoted this scripture before, and lean on it again now. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” – Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV)

Rollercoasters are scary things. Whether we are on one by choice or by circumstance, God’s Word tells us not to fear because if we believe in Him, He is with us.

As I cope with the connection of two life-altering events by a short time span, I remember that I don’t have to have all the answers. All I have to do is to lean on the One that does. I wish I had some deep theological explanation to share, and perhaps one day I will. All I can tell you today, and I can tell it without hesitation, is that the security provided by my faith in Christ is what keeps me going – even when life goes up and down and up and down and around and upside down. Jesus doesn’t stop the rollercoasters, He just keeps us from falling out!