roller coaster rides

i don't know about you, but i enjoy roller coaster rides.  they're fun.  they're exhilarating.  they keep me on the edge of my seat.

up.  down.  [scream]. up.  down. [scream].

thrilling, right?

but i'm always glad when the ride is over...ready for the break to catch my breath again.

i feel like this past year has been one long, giant roller coaster ride with hardly a break to catch my breath.  i've had ups and downs through out my lifetime, so it's nothing new.  i'm sure we've all had our ups and downs.  aaron and i have experienced ups and downs together, and we always get through it.

except it seemed like this past year there has been so many changes, things we've had to deal with one after another that we haven't felt like we've gotten off the ride yet.  that's one long ride.  i like roller coasters, but i'm ready to get off.

i don't mean to imply that this past year has been miserable, because it certainly hasn't been.  not at all.  but looking back and seeing how we've gone through the full spectrum of emotions for the past 12 or so months is pretty insane.  and exhausting!  so many different things came our way, one after another.  and when we thought we were almost done, one more thing would come up.  like i said, looking back at it all makes me feel exhausted.

i don't know that we'll get off this particular ride any time soon.  it may slow down, but i don't see us getting off for a breather just yet.  there's more change to come...like having this baby in the next few weeks!  that will be a big change.

i do think change is a good thing.  in fact, the more i think about it, "good" or "bad," change always ends up being a good thing.  changes that affect your life can put you on an exciting (usually unpredictable) roller coaster ride.  when it happens to us, we just go with it.  but i do admit that while you're on that unpredictable ride, it can be challenging emotionally and physically.

i am one that likes change.  i get antsy when i feel too settled.  so on the whole, i am always open to change.  sometimes, change is hard, tedious or stressful, but i think it's worth it in the end.

change helps me draw closer to God.  it builds and strengthens my relationship with him.  it strengthens my faith.  i put my complete trust in him and that sometimes means big changes in my life.  change allows for personal growth.  change allows the Lord to transform me on the inside. 

while we may not know how long this loop de loop ride will last, we are trying our best to embrace it.  to take it day by day.  even though we can't quite see what lies before us, we know that God is right beside us leading the way.  and in that, i find peace and rest.

and the LORD will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.

 isaiah 58:11