The Carnival ride

carnival ride It is interesting that on a week that we are focusing on PEACE, that the Curtis family decides to go to the small town carnival.  We pull up, I see kiddie rides, I get the kids their arm band, and expect to stand and watch them go round and round. That is until my sweet 4 year old Jaxon decides that he needs to ride the one big kid ride out there. Now, Madison (6 years old) is big enough to go without an adult, but Jaxon has to have my husband or I with him.  I look at my husband – give him the nudge, he nudges me back, and then Jaxon says to me – “mommy, please ride with me!”. Now, a few years ago – I would have said – no big deal – YES, I will go with you.  But as I looked up at this rickety carnival ride, that has been traveling across TX in a TRUCK, and is spinning in little cars while going up and down and all around, I start to have some serious doubts! Here is this little 4 year old with bright eyes, ready to go…and I start to really wish my husband had been the lucky pick. But, how can you resist a little boy?!?  So, I decide to go for it!! We get into this metal car that about pinches my legs off and the carnival man says – “now, your only job is to make sure that your son doesn’t fall out”.  Really?!?!? What is that about? So, we start and I am making the most of it…I am “woohooing” and laughing, and it is great….until he speeds us up.  Now, since I weigh about 3 times what Jaxon ways, our cart was lopsided…sending us spinning and spinning super fast.  We are spinning, the ride is spinning, the carts are going up and down and then we LURCH up and him and I bounce off of our seats.  I really thought we were about to fly out of that secure little metal car. Oh – did I mention that the ride did NOT even have seat belts?!?  Yikes! I scream, he laughs, and I felt my heart about bounce out of my chest.  When I realize we are all okay, the fear leaves, and I do my best to enjoy the rest of the ride. When I got off, and my husband is just grinning.  You know that grin that is like – “I’m glad it was you and not me” type of grin? So, after I stopped shaking, I realized what a funny coincidence that our focus was on PEACE this past week. I was anything but peaceful.  Not before, not during, and not after!!! It made me realize how much I let my outside circumstances control the level of peace inside of me! Let’s be real for a minute – doesn’t your life feel like a carnival ride sometimes?!?  Can I get an amen? I am sure you can relate!!!  Do you ever look at your life, and feel anything EXCEPT peace?  Probably!! So, as we left the carnival, and I watch my kids with BIG smiles, and fired up about all they got to do, I realized that sometimes peace doesn’t mean everything is always ok in our minds. What it meant that night to me, was that everything didn’t have to be in control.  That everything could feel chaotic and scary, but that I could follow my 4 year olds’ example and TRUST.  That I could have a little fear, and make it through!!!   So, no matter where you are in life, or what “ride” you may feel you are on – remember that GOD is holding you.  He can ease your fears and your panic.  He can make it okay!!  We just have to trust HIM through the carnival ride!!!   –Rachel Curtis Founder, P31 Fitness]]>