Wild Ride

by Katie Kringstad

Life is quite a wild ride. Sometimes we are flying high having a great time, other times at the bottom, and at some points in life we are just plain terrified. There are times we have to make a decision; to let fear win and turn around or to trust and go in faith.

In 2017 my family went on a trip to Disneyland in California. We had an amazing time. Sydney was 11 and Christina was 6, Claire was only 1 so she stayed home with Grandma. At the park they had several very large intimidating rides. It took a bit of coaxing to get the girls to go on these rides. On Splash Mountain Sydney was about three fourths the way up the line and thought she wanted to turn around. I gave her reassurance that she could do it and it would be great. We then boarded the ride and she was very unhappy that they did not have seat belts or anything harnessing her in, I think her words were: “Are you kidding me?” So we went on the ride and it was awesome! We got off and both of the girls said they loved it and wanted to go again. We then walked to the photo booth to see the picture they took of us on the ride…

Both Sydney and Christina look terrified! I think I laughed until I cried… The point is that they trusted and conquered their fears, took the risk of going on the ride, and were so happy they did. They were not scared anymore and wanted to go on the ride over and over. They did it, and not only was I proud of them but they were proud of themselves.

My children trusted me in that I would not put them on a ride that was not safe for them. In the same way God as our heavenly Father wants us to trust in him. He will not put us on a ride we cannot handle. In Joshua the Lord told him to gather all of the Israelites and cross the Jordan River to take the land the Lord was to give them. I can’t imagine the trust and the fear involved in this event. All of these men had to leave their wives, children, land and livestock behind. I’m sure a lot of them were thinking, “Are you kidding me?” They then had to cross the flooded river Jordan. The Lord says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid: do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you.” Joshua 1:9. The Lord kept his promises to the men and when the priest’s feet touched the water, it piled up in a heap so that they could cross over on dry ground. God did not fail his people.

If you have a difficult ride ahead of you and fear is in your heart, please turn to God and know that he will not let you fall.

“The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand."

– Psalm 37: 23-24

Have a blessed week and enjoy the ride.

Katie Kringstad
Intern Pastor / Director of Children's Ministry