“Jesus told them, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, …”

Matthew 24:4, NLT

My daughter wanted me to go on a ride with her at the state fair. “I don’t know about that, girlie”, I said. “Those kinds of rides make Mommy’s head feel weird, maybe you should ask daddy”. “Come on Mommy, pleeeeease, just go once and I won’t ask you anymore!”

Hubby chimes in, “You can do it. Go on the ride with her. How bad can it be?” But it wasn’t any ol’ ride; it was a twisting, spinning, and ridiculously fast ride—just the kind my body doesn’t handle well anymore. (Did daughter know that going in, hmm?)  I rationalized the thing. “Maybe this time will be different and I won’t feel lightheaded and nauseous when it’s over. I’m doing it for my girl. I want her to have a good time today so, I’m going to bite the bullet and do it for her!”

It was a standup ride that required you to be buckled with your back to the wall so you’re facing the middle; much like a salad once you’ve spun it and it’s all sticking to the inside wall of the bowl. There was only one other parent on the thing and that should have been my hint to cut and run! I pulled my belt extra tight, just in case. The ride began to spin and I glanced left ever so briefly to look at my daughter’s happy little face, full of joy and anticipation. My hands were so tight around the handlebars that you’d think they were super glued on! The ride spun and twisted and bumped my sore knees up and down, faster, and faster, until I thought I would never make it through that thing! As I faced those wildly happy, screaming, kiddos, and hubby’s slightly sinister, laughing face, on each revolution, I tried to keep a neutral expression to belie my true feelings about the ride. But, I knew they sensed my pitiful fear! I prayed, “Stop this crazy thing, Lord, pleeeease!” When it finally stopped, I couldn’t wait to get out. “Never again!”

Many times we allow ourselves to be led into situations that last too long and get worse before getting better. Jesus warns us not to be misled. He gives us Holy Spirit power to resist temptation and prevent situations where we find ourselves crying, “Stop this crazy thing, I want to get off!”

By grace through faith,

Rita