Today was a beautiful day in my city – not too hot, not too cold, with low humidity, etc. So, I decided to take my newly minted “teenager” to the local amusement park. Earlier this summer, she’d fallen in love with roller coasters and relishes each opportunity to enjoy them.
The park was a buzz with hordes of people out enjoying the weather, just as we’d decided to do. The wait times for the roller coasters were long. There was a 90-minute wait for a 2-minute ride on one of my daughter’s favorite coasters. She stood in line patiently while I was on bench duty holding bags, water bottles, etc. Once the thrill ride was over, she told me that she wanted to ride one last coaster before going home.
This coaster would be ride number four. We took our positions and waited. Surprisingly, this ride had a 30-minute wait time, which wasn’t too bad. As per my usual, when I thought my daughter made it to the front of the line, I began watching to see if she was on the ride as it made its way up the first incline. I was sitting at the ride’s exit, so I alternated between watching the exit and watching the cars climb the hill. I didn’t see her at either place.
After a few minutes, another car inched up the steep incline. Suddenly, I noticed the car had stopped midway up the hill. I frantically scanned the car, but I couldn’t see my daughter. I started praying! I didn’t know why the car stopped, but I knew it shouldn’t have happened. “Jesus,” I whispered repeatedly.
A crowd quickly gathered, and speculations flew as to why the car stopped. My eyes darted to the exit, and to my relief, my daughter was walking towards me. She’d just gotten off the previous car. She headed toward me, smiling, unaware of the drama unfolding above her head. I pointed to the sky…..the car was still sitting there, some riders waving while others sat motionless.
We hugged! With animated eyes, my daughter’s words tumbled out, “Mom, I was one person away from being on that car! The girl in front of me got called out of the line and the operator said for me to go instead. Had she not been called out, I would be up there.” She was on the verge of tears as the shock of what almost was kept washing over her. We hugged again!!
Thank you, Jesus!! I was so grateful she was spared, but I continued praying for those who were stuck waiting.
We watched a park employee scale the narrow steps on the roller coaster tracks, seemingly checking on the riders while assuring them the “issue” was being addressed. It was a few more minutes before the roller coaster started moving up the incline and relief swept across the crowd and riders.
As we walked to the park’s exit, a lady heard us talking about the incident. She turned to my daughter, looked at her shirt, smiled, pointed to it, and said, “Yes, it was the grace of God.” My daughter’s shirt had “Psalm 23” on the front.
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1 (KJV)
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
In the Master’s Service,
Author/Pastor Michele D Robertson
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Matthew 11:28-29 (KJV)