"CAN'T WAIT!"

Saturday, 21 January 2012 21:19 Written by Carma Grimes

"CAN'T WAIT!"

Closing your eyes won't shut out the fear as you race through the winding caves of a 6 1/2-story tall mountain — in impenetrable darkness. This was going to be our grandson's first roller coaster ride and the sign ahead had a line marked above the form of a child, with the minimum height required to be allowed on the ride.

He was so excited and full of life that morning as we stood in the crowded line at Six Flags over Texas to ride "Run Away Mountain." Nervously, he anticipated standing beneath the line mark to see if he qualified for the ride.

"I can't wait to get on a roller coaster, Grandma! I can't wait. I've always wanted to ride a roller coaster! It's going to be so much fun! I know I can do this!" Our daughter (his mom) reassured him that if he really, really wanted to ride a roller coaster, then we would ride it with him. You could almost see the courage dripping off of him.

Nothing could have made me any happier, as since my teenage years I had ridden every roller coaster available to me. Guess you'd say my husband and I are both "Roller Coaster Buffs"... so bring it on! This "Run Away Mountain" ride should be a great one to introduce a young child to riding roller coasters! Piece of Cake! No sweat! Fun, fun, fun!!! Or so I thought.

By stretching his skeletal frame as high as he could, he just barely reached the height required, and so we moved into the entrance of the train. As Aaron and his mom climbed into the seat ahead of me, I caught a quick look of his shear nervous apprehension. This was unfamiliar territory for him, and I knew it. Was he wanting to back out? But... it was too late! The safety bars were being locked down and I excitedly hollered, "Here we go, Aaron. You're first roller coaster ride." SHOOSH... away we went.

I couldn't see anything after that, since the entire ride is in complete, dense darkness. We were all laughing, screaming, holding our hands up, and having fun... or so I thought, until the ride came to a stop.

Climbing out of the car, I joyously turned to ask my grandson how he enjoyed it, only to find him wrapped up in his mom's arms and crying loudly. "I hated it... I hated it! I NEVER want to ride this thing again, for the rest of my life. It wouldn't stop and let me off! I hate it. I didn't like it at all!"

For some reason, I was surprised and in shock over the scene my eyes beheld. Then sincere empathy wrapped my heart around his feelings. My poor, dear, precious, innocent grandson had gone through an experience that was completely out of his control. And to top off all of his insecurity, fears, and anxiety... he had been in complete darkness the whole way. He could feel his mom's arms reaching out to him, but he couldn't see her reassuring face or hear one word she was yelling to him, over the thunder of noise that engulfed him throughout the ride. I'm so thankful he lived through this experience and can finally enjoy a thrilling roller coaster ride, now that he's much older.

Aaron's roller coaster experience is not that far removed from the experience of "Life." We are constantly presented with experiences we've never encountered before and many times we're surprised that it's not at all what we expected.

There have been those times for me, when I wanted to yell at the top of my lungs, "Stop the train and let me off! I don't like this ride! I hate it! Stop, please stop!" And there have been anxieties that hit with such a force that my breathe seems knocked completely out of me. The unknowns of my circumstances have felt like a smothering, black blanket that attempted to suck my very life out of a me.

In those times, I've desperately longed to see the face of my Heavenly Father. Oh, what would I do if I didn't have God in my life?

Funny I should remember this experience just as we're entering the New Year 2012. What kind of ride is this going to be? Are we going to enjoy it, or will it bring anxiety? The truth is, we're committed to this ride until it's over. No amount of pre-conceived ideas, or concerns will change a thing! So... it's time to sit back in the seat, hang onto the hand that reassuringly reaches out for us, and ride it out.

One thing is for sure... we're not alone! Our Heavenly Father is riding this ride with us and He's right by our side. He alone has the only vision that can pierce through the darkness. He has the only hand that can measure the whole universe with one hand's span. He knows the beginning from the end. He loves you and me, like nobody else. So, what is there to be anxious about?

Why are we waiting? We must use every moment of life...NOW! What are you waiting for?

I'm curious about those who "Can't wait" for something new to happen in their lives. Oh??? I wonder to myself, so what's wrong with living life to the fullest, right now, right where we are? Sometimes our vision is so "far-sighted" we forget to be "near-sighted."

Lord, what do you want to do with me right now... in spite of my seeming limitations; under my present circumstances; with Your anointing in my life? What else really matters? If things change... great... if they don't... that's great, too. The one constant I have for all of my days... no matter what my circumstances... Jesus Christ will never change on me. "He is the same... Yesterday, Today, and Forever!" Romans 13:8.

In conclusion the only change that's really of utmost urgency... is inside of me. As I once wrote in a song: "Keep Changing Me." Through the good times, and in the bad... "Your will be done, O Lord!" And down deep I know... Your will is to CHANGE me, this year!

Now, that's change worth waiting for! Can't wait?

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT: Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance.

Until next time -- look UP for your redemption is drawing nigh!!

Carma Grimes