Saturday, October 10, 2009

What a Ride!

August 1978. Newlyweds. Jacksonville, Florida. Carnival on the beach. A Tilt a' Whirl. How Fun! Right? I wish. Actually, a more appropriate name would be The Torpedo. We were the only ones on the ride. Spinning. Twirling. Turning. Faster and faster. My head. Gravity held it. Pinned against the back of the car. My tummy. Unable to resist the torque. Drifted into space. So, so sick. Please stop. Please. I've got to get off. Crazed man at the control panel. Took us for one more whirl. I told myself: If. I. Ever. Get off of this ride. I'll. Never. Get on another one. And I didn't. Until recently. I feel like my life has become that Tilt a' Whirl ride. Terrible. Tumultuous. Torrential. And I want it to stop. During the past few weeks, we've had major home repairs. Now, I'm not referring to my little decorating projects. I'm talking about my darlin' husband had to tear the ceiling out of the downstairs bathroom. Because of a leak in the upstairs bathroom. Bust the tile out of the upstairs shower floor. Call the plumber. To the tune of $450. Install new ceiling downstairs. Upstairs shower still not repaired. Tile guys don't want to waste time on small-budget projects. This week, darlin' had to rip the floor out of the downstairs bathroom. Call the plumber again. This time only $300. Replace flooring. The endless. Trajectory of repairs continues. I won't bore you with further details. Well, ok. Just one more. All flooring in the downstairs has to be removed and replaced, including the kitchen tile. The chaos. The cost. the confusion. Will somebody please stop this ride so that I can get off? Things are tough. Do I see the mess? Sure. But I see more. I see our loving God. And I'm going to make it through this. I love what Paul writes to a group of New Testament believers: "Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen" (Ephesians 3: 20-21). Don't you love this verse? He does more than. All we ask or imagine. How much more? Immeasurably more! How does He? Do immeasurably more than all that we ask or imagine. He does immeasurably more than all that we ask or imagine by His power. And His power is at work within us. Even when life becomes a ride that tilts us out of balance. Whirls us around mercilessly. And grave circumstances pin us against a wall. His power works in us. To strengthen. To sustain. To satisfy. Because He loves us. And He's in charge of the control panel. We don't have to ride alone. Sweet dreams, Deb

15 comments:

  1. What a beautiful post!

    Happy SITS Saturday Sharefest! :)

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  2. What a wonderful reminder...

    Happy SITS Saturday Sharefest!

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  3. Oh, I forgot - let me know if you make the insulator lights. I would love to hear how it works out and if possible to see pictures.

    : )

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  4. Dear Deb,
    I love the intro to your post. What a creative way to describe what you are going through.

    I can relate to what you are going through.

    Will it all be done by Thanksgiving?

    There's no doubt, when it's all done, you will be able to sit back and enjoy everything (until the next repair project comes along!)

    Life is like that, isnt't it? God loves to bring us through the mess, so that we can better appreciate the beauty at the end.

    You know what? Embrace the mess... anyway you are right, God is with you in it.

    Love
    Lidj

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  5. You are always on target! I feel kind of whirly-giggish right now. I keep saying, "Trust! Trust! Trust." Thanks for encouraging me that I am doing the right thing!

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  6. Well done with a definite creative flair! I could remember 'when' on the rides, too. Even today, I pass on Busch Gardens. No need to pay $7 for a lemondade...I'll stay home & read a book and let the guys go ride!

    I also like the way you've been grouping your words with the same letters. I've got to try that on one of my posts. I'm still working on my birthday post from 10-9...look for it in a couple of days.

    This is one of my favorite bible verses, too. More than I could ask OR imagine...

    Refreshing reminder to rely on Him.

    Hope you're done for the holidays...

    Love, Margie

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  7. I'm on the Tilt a Whirl, too! It's so hard to release control... and then I realize that I don't really have much control anyway! ;0) Thanks for the reminder!

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  8. You totally described my life right now! I know God has a plan and I am holding tight to that promise!

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  9. I have been in similar situations and know the frustration and energy depletion.

    But, how I appreciate your beautiful words, which remind me to always know, regardless of the situation, God is in control.

    May the Lord give you sweet peace, dear friend.

    Andrea

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  10. On the ride with you, friend. What an incredibly strange two weeks for me! I'm ready to get off the tilt-a-whirl myself.

    Now I better know how to pray for you. Have mercy.

    peace~elaine

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  11. Thank you for letting me know about your blog. I have been so blessed by what I've read so far and can't wait to read more!

    My life is so out of balance right now! Thank you for the reminder that God is in control.

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  12. Powerful post, powerful verses.

    "Immeasurably more" ... That's BIG stuff, beyond our comprehension.

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  13. Wow, I feel like you've just described my life. To. A. Tee. I often think to myself, stop this ride, I want to get off!! But I do have to constantly remember Who is in control. Thanks for the reminder today.

    If you get a chance, will you please take a moment to drop by my blog and read my latest post about precious baby Wyatt? His parents really need our help. I would really appreciate it!

    Thanks so much!

    Teresa <><

    TWO VERY SPECIAL MINUTES...

    http://toomanyheartbeats.blogspot.com/2009/10/two-very-special-minutes.html

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  14. I do believe I've been unwittingly strapped into the Tilt-A-Whirl on a few occasions myself, Deb. But for the grace of God, we'd toss much more than our lunch!

    "His power works in us. To strengthen. To sustain. To satisfy." Amen, my friend!

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  15. It's me again. I hope you are doing OK and are having a wonderful week.

    Thinking of you.

    Teresa <><

    WEDNESDAYS FOR WYATT

    http://toomanyheartbeats.blogspot.com/2009/10/wednesdays-for-wyatt-many-of-you-read.html

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