Lessons from the Waterslides cont'd

continued from page 1

No, I had said, "Let's do it." so I would. I sat down, lay back and crossed my arms across my chest just like the attendant instructed. I gave way to the whisk of the water, the whirl of the turns.

I soon found myself wildly flying down the path it had before me. I was up on one side, I was whirled to the other, I was blasted in the face with water, I was banged on my side as I flipped, hoping I would simply remain within the tube I was hurling through. It was wild. I finally came to the pool, same pool as before, but I was plunged beneath the water and thrown forward. What had happened? I could hardly reflect or make sense of the ride.

The next day, I thought about the experience. I had to admit-- my side was bruised. It all happened so fast that I couldn't be sure when it happened. But I was really sore. I reflect on the wildness of that journey, I was so completely out of my own control, no way to stop, no way to turn, let alone act carefully and wisely. Did I have fun? I'm not quite sure. Was I glad I took the ride? I remain silent. Do I feel younger, glad I could still do what others might not dare? I don't know.

And then I reflect on my past couple years. Wild turns. Unexpected Death. Separation from my boys now away at university. Slaps of words. Blasts of events so unexpected that today I'm still bruised. It all happened so fast I'm not quite sure what happened. I was so completely out of my own control, no way to stop, no way to turn, let alone act carefully and wisely. Have I had fun? I'm not quite sure yet. Was I glad I took this ride? I remain silent.

I land in a pool. Blasted and thrown there. But I land. It's the pool of the never-ending, never changing, never ceasing love of God. No matter the wild rides of life. No matter the death, life, angels, principalities, heights, depths and waterslides of life. It all flows into the pool from which I can never be separated. The Love of God.

And I think I'll just lay here awhile. Let it heal the bruises. Let it restore the soul. Let it bind up the broken hearted.

Lord, where I can, help me to more wisely choose my waterslides. Perhaps some rides were never meant for me. Perhaps the warnings given are best heeded. Some events best left for others. Let me hear your voice.

And Lord, where I can't choose – let me still praise you. For the times you've held me in the wild ride. For allowing the past, the present and the future to always work together for good. And where I do choose a slide best-left untaken, thank you for your endless patience. Your love that never ends….even on the waterslides.

Linda Reed