Keep Your Arms And Hands Inside Of The Ride......

When I was younger my dad, uncle, cousin, and I would go to Cedar Point each year. This was not, however, your average Cedar Point trip. We would wake up early, leave the house early, and arrive to the park early. This trip only happened once a year and it was very important to us that it was done right.

When it came to our annual trip we followed a couple of rules:

1. Water rides are over-rated: "we can stay at home and play with the hose" -Dad

2. Spinney rides are a waste of time: "we can just spin in a circle at home" -Dad

3. Never enter the park on Father's Day: No comment.......

Each year we packed into a car, stopped at McDonald's for breakfast, and drove non-stop the rest of the way to the park. We always arrived to the park as it was opening. As we pulled in we could see the tops of coasters as they started their day. We could see a handful of lucky folks who managed to make it on the rides first, without waiting in line.

After setting our cooler on a picnic table, and turning our tickets in, the day began. We walked through the gate - telling the photographer that we did not want a souvenir picture taken - my dad mostly likely said something to the tune of "we can get our pictures taken at home."

On the other side of the gate - wonderful. The sight of people scrambling to their ride of choice, the sound of roars coming from the top of hills, and the smell of corn dogs in the air - a recipe for an awesome day.

We always rode the Blue Streak first. It was tempting to jump to the bigger and better coasters, but we enjoyed starting small and working our way up to the big thrills. My dad enjoyed the history behind the Blue Streak and I looked at the coaster as an appetizer.

Sometimes the lines were very long. Sometimes the lines were short. Sometimes the lines seemed long, but moved quickly. If you were lucky there was a cool mist blowing and plenty of shade. As we zig-zagged through the line - watching the same people zig-zag along with you - the anticipation for the ride grew.

We would ride non-stop for the entire day. Food and bathroom breaks were quick and we never visited a shop or played carnival games. Not only did we arrive when they opened - we stayed until they closed. There was a reason why my uncle and cousin would come with us - they were also serious. They were not there for "sissy-ness" and giggles. Their agenda match ours and they followed our 3 rules :)

The days at Cedar Point always exceeded our expectations. We loved spending the day bouncing from coaster to coaster - thrill to thrill. There was nothing better than feeling the wind in your face and your stomach drop. There was nothing better than waving your hands in the air and coming to a screeching halt at the conclusion of the ride. There was nothing better than screaming at the top of your lungs and hearing "click, click, click" as you climbed a hill.

As I grew older, went to college, and got married our Cedar Point trips became less and less. We were able to go here and there, but did not go each year. We did take a trip together after Brad and I got married. At the beginning of our wedding ceremony my dad gave us two Cedar Point tickets and whispered in our ears "life is a roller coaster, enjoy the ride."

Six and a half years later we are on "the ride" or should I say another ride.

Over the years we have made the drive, turned in tickets, pack coolers, and waited in line. Brad and I struggled early in our marriage with employment. It took us 3 years to find jobs that we enjoyed and that were stable. As our friends found jobs, moved into homes - we wondered why we could not find jobs and only dreamed of owning a home one day.

God answered our prayers. He blessed us with jobs, a home, and a wonderful - beautiful - amazing son. We thought that our ride was over. We thought that the park had closed. We thought that it was time to reminisce about "our day."

Perhaps I was distracted by the fact that it was our wedding day, perhaps I was so excited to receive Cedar Point tickets, perhaps I just didn't listen. I somehow missed the part when my Dad said "life is a roller coaster....."

I have mentioned before that I feel like we are on a roller coaster. I have felt so up and down about quitting my job, I have felt up and down about staying at home, and I most certainly have felt up and down about playing the "one income" game.

Lately I have realized that quitting my job, staying at home, and following a path that God has laid before me is just the beginning of this ride.

Our annual Cedar Point trip parallels our current situation. We have asked people to join our ride in prayer and support......we want to jump to the big thrill, but know that we need wait and be patient......we hope that the line to a solution is short.

For the most part, this ride is better than our first ride. We have grown in our faith and have a better understanding of what we stand for.

The most enjoyable part of this ride is knowing that God is in the first car. We have put our faith in His coaster and have jumped in for the ride.

There have been, and I assume there will still be, parts of the ride that we do not like. There are moments in this ride that are not full of thrills, there are tunnels on this ride and we cannot always see what is going to happen next.

There are also parts of the ride that we enjoy. It is a thrill to know that we are living in His will - doing what we believe He is asking us to do.

In the moments that I want to bail off this coaster - I realize what I am about to do and jump back into my car. This ride is SO FULL of ups and downs, but it feels safe.

It the meantime, we hold tight and hold on. A good friend reminded me last night "where He takes you, He will meet your needs." I am a little concerned about "meeting our needs," but I am most concerned about where He is taking us. We know that He is taking us somewhere - we have faith that our needs will be met once we arrive.

I just hope that all of this happens before the park closes...... :)

All Things Are Possible,
Stephanie Miller