It’s Bouncy!
Last week Hubby and I were finally able to visit our newest grandchild and her proud parents. There had been travel restrictions on visiting their state since the week of her birth, so when they were lifted and airline tickets appeared for a good price, we were like horses given their head; you can bet we were on the next weekend flight!
Our “bonus teen” dropped us off at the airport and before long we were on board the Airbus 320. An hour or so into the flight, we encountered a fair amount of turbulence. Some folks gasped and grabbed armrests, but when I heard a toddler behind us say, “It’s bouncy!” I almost laughed with delight!
Let me explain why this is a big deal!
In years past, the bumps and lurches would have triggered tension, fear and nausea in me. I have lived with an unreasonable fear of heights for most of my life. Trips to the breathtakingly beautiful Grand Canyon were exercises in controlled terror for me as our children have their father’s head for heights. Trips to our single-story roof to watch Fourth of July fireworks nearly put me over the edge, but regardless, in my pursuit of reducing our energy consumption, I planted grapevines on the east side of the house training them to grow over the roof for shade. This necessitates several visits each year to the roof: pruning, thinning, spraying, bagging and harvesting.
Behold, the challenge! I must get on the roof. I am committed to being on the roof. I am terrified of being on the roof…no…I was terrified of falling from the roof!
I finally had it out with my fear and God.
God says, “Do not fear. I am with you.” I am designed to be fearless, and I walk in it most of the time. What was different when I was up high? What did I believe that triggered the near-panic?
I believed that God would allow something to happen to me that would not be good, nor for my good. I believed that when I was on the roof, or the ladder, somehow God would fail to be good! Foolish? Absolutely! But this is the lie that had been eating away my peace when on the heights. I broke agreement with that lie immediately! Peace and light began to spread into the places where the lie had reigned in the dark, transforming my responses to high places.
Fast forward to last week… bouncing in the air over the mountains, I overflowed with wonder at the calm and peace I felt. I understand how the small child could enjoy the effects of turbulence: he knew only trust in his parents’ care. He could enjoy the bouncing, because there was no fear of not being cared for. This is the childlike trust that Jesus highlights as the pre-requisite for entry into the Kingdom of God.
We have a good, good Father who cares for us, who can be trusted in every circumstance, so the ups and downs of life do not cause us to say “Oh no! Where is God? Why isn’t He seeing to it that my life is ‘straight and level?'” but instead with delight say, “Oooo! It’s bouncy!” and enjoy the ride!
Following Jesus every day in the everyday,
Christi
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