My husband Scott and I just returned from spending a few vacation days in the mountains of Tennessee. We love the beautiful mountains, and we decided after the fires of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge last Fall that it would be a good place to spend vacation while contributing in a small way to the economy of the area.

While we did see some of the impact of the fire on the landscape, it was hardly noticed at all in the crowds. It seems that a lot of people had the same idea that we did. You might want to consider it for your Summer getaway. https://www.gatlinburg.com/

While we were there, we decided to visit Dollywood. For me, it was the highlight of the trip. I love, love amusement parks and I haven’t been to one in years. My last time on a roller coaster was about nine years ago, before my cancer and surgeries, and this nerve pain illness. Even at the risk of getting my pain out of whack, I could not resist.

When Scott and I approached a ride at the Park, we could not pass it up. I would say, “I will if you will.” He would say, “Let’s go!” And we did. We rode and rode and giggled and giggled. He would talk throughout each ride, and stress me out. I would tell him to shut up, right before I would scream and he would laugh while we plummeted many stories.  Don’t ask me why that is so much fun, but it is. And the best part: I am so thankful to God that I could get out of bed the next morning after that.

Life is a lot like riding a roller coaster and there are lots of lessons about life that we can learn from a coaster.

1. Life is an adventure. To experience it, you have to climb on board. Take that first step. Climb in, buckle up and say your prayers. It has a beginning and an end. Too often the ending comes too soon. The Creator has planned this awesome ride for you. Enjoy every second!
2. Take your loved ones with you. It is not fun riding alone. Let those closest to you share your ride. Cling to them when life gets scary. Laugh with them when it is fun. Make memories. Share the joy and the pain. Live life every minute of the ride.
3. Like a roller coaster, life is going to have perfect moments. It is going to have rough spots. Hang on, whatever is happening now—good or bad, most likely it is about to change.
4. Life’s roller coaster has its ups and downs, its highs and lows, and its twists and turns. Sometimes you want to throw up. You get jerked one way, then another. Don’t give up. The ride is worth it, and the Creator is holding you safely through His design for your life ride.
5. You never know what is around the corner. Sometimes you want to hold on for dear life in terror and other times you want to hold up your hands and enjoy the ride. God knows what is ahead, and His design is for your ultimate experience in life. He knows what we need, and He has the highs and the lows in just the right places for us.
6. Depending on where you are on your ride in life, your perspective may change. You are moving right along having a great day and all of a sudden your world is turned upside down. You might be down in the dumps and something happens to lift your spirits. Throughout life, we soar to the heights of joy, then fall to the lowest depths of discouragement and depression over and over. Yet it seems we are powerless to control any of it. When the valley seems too deep and the mountain too high to climb, we have to remember that God is working a plan. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
7. Whether we scream or enjoy our ride is up to us. We can be plunged into the downward spirals or be thrown for a loop, kicking and screaming all the way. Or we can let go and let God, knowing we are safe because He has made the way for us (John 14:6). He will never let go of us. 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)

Paul found the secret, how to be content no matter what. “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (Phillipians 4:11-13)

We do not always understand. But God does. To live a contented Christian life, it has to be enough for us that God is in control and He loves us more than we can ever imagine. We have to keep a positive outlook. Finally brothers and sister, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Philippians 4:8)

For most people, when we look back we will think of our life as a great ride. Just when we are ready to get off and ride the merry-go-round, we change our mind and want to ride some more. Life is an exciting adventure!

“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming “Wow! What a Ride!” ― Hunter S. Thompson

Dear Lord: Your ways are perfect and higher than our ways. We may not always understand why You allow the twists and turns of our lives, but we know that You are working a plan and that You never give up on us or let go of us. Your grace is enough to get us through anything. May we have the courage to embrace this wonderful, amazing life You have given us and use it up to love others and serve You. When our ride is over, may we arrive in Your presence, spent for You and content and thankful to reflect that You have been holding us tightly through every up and down of it all. Thank You for Your great love for us. Amen

The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. Psalm 18:2

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

Do you feel like you have been riding a roller coaster? Maybe you want off? Maybe you have looked back at a trial and found that, even though it was a difficult ride, God was holding you through it all. Please share your experiences, your thoughts and comments.

Thank you for reading and sharing my blogpost. May you experience God’s peace through the ups and downs and twists and turns of your life. And may you fully embrace every pinnacle of joy in this amazing ride called life. No matter what, I pray you will always feel God holding you closely while He is working His good and perfect plan.