About

Simply stated, From The Roller Coaster is intended to be a source of encouragement for those of us on this roller coaster ride called Life.

I’ve always hated roller coasters. And with a passion! Why? Simply because I was scared of them. Terrified! However, one year when we took our fifth graders to the Carowinds Math and Science Day, some of my students shamed me into finally getting on one. They did it by reminding me that I had told them how God could give the courage to do things they thought impossible if they’d only trust Him. Talk about eating your words.

I swallowed my fear and finally got on my first roller coaster.

But I played it safe. Thunder Road, a basic up and down ride. Big enough the students didn’t call it a kiddie ride, but not too steep and definitely no twists or turns. We all got on the ride together. I was trembling. They were laughing. But to my surprise, I enjoyed riding Thunder Road. It was actually fun. I let my students talk me into another roller coaster, the Cyclone, and it became my new favorite ride at Carowinds.

What I realized was that roller coasters weren’t as scary as I’d made them out to be in my head all those years. Now I enjoy riding roller coasters, even the big dogs. Yes, I’m still trembling from the top of my head down to tip of my toes as I stand in line, but the fear no longer keeps me from enjoying the ride. Two reasons. One, I know I will survive, and it can be fun. But the second reason is the most important one: I don’t ride alone. I always have a friend who is just as excited about getting on the same roller coaster.

So I decided to apply the same principles to this roller coaster ride called Life. I can continue to build this ride up to be something too scary to handle and keep trying to find ways to jump ship. Or, I can stay on because I know I’ll survive and may even have some fun along the way. But most importantly, I choose to stay on this ride because I know I’m not riding alone.

It is my desire that the comfort, the guidance, the lessons, the blessings God continually shows me on my ride can be an encouragement to you on your roller coaster ride.

Remember, it doesn’t matter what kind of roller coaster you’re on, God is already on it with you, just waiting for you to acknowledge Him. And when you do, He will give you the courage and the strength to hang in there and give you peace even when you feel the bottom is dropping out or you feel you’re being jerked in one direction or another.

So, from the roller coaster…

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6, 7 NASB

Are you ready? Let’s ride!