My four year old is the size of an average six year old. No lie. And he has zero fear. He LOVES thrill rides! So on our recent trip to Disney he wanted to ride ALL the rides.
As soon as he heard the words “Space Mountain” he was on board. But I was not so sure. “It’s going to be dark and kind of scary. It goes really fast and I will have to sit behind you because I can’t sit next to you on that ride.” He heard my warnings but said, “I still want to do it!”
So off we went to the mountain. He got a little nervous before we boarded but he was reassured when I promised him I’d be right behind him the whole time. We buckled in and he gave a big thumbs up to the cast member starting the ride.
Our little spaceship turned the corner into the darkness. I was watching the seat in front of me, waiting for it. And a moment later a little hand peaked over the edge. I grabbed on to it and gave it a little squeeze. I held his hand for the rest of the ride. He absolutely loved it!
Sometimes we have to go through dark and scary times in our lives. Maybe we had no idea what kind of ride we were in line for. We suddenly lost someone or something that we depended on and were thrust into the darkness with no notice before that first drop.
Maybe we knew exactly what was in store for us but we knew it was something we had to do. Perhaps it was a bad habit that we had to give up to get more freedom in our lives. Or something we knew we had to stand up for or fight for because it was the right (albeit hard) thing to do.
Or maybe we find ourselves going through a dark time with someone else. Someone we love has decided to push forward and enter the darkness, so we go along with them and their Disnerd friend who honestly didn’t know that it was your least favorite ride (Sorry about that! I swear I didn’t know!). But we go with them because we love them and want to support them.
When you find yourself in a dark and scary ride, remember to reach your hand back. God the Parent is watching and waiting for that chance to comfort you. He hasn’t left you, he is with you the whole time, even when you can’t see him.
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me” Psalms 23:4