Roller Coaster Religion

Sawyer and Elijah’s Sunday School classes went to Six Flags while Luke and I were out of town. Believe it or not, I was disappointed to not be able to go along even though I’m horrified of roller coasters. *insert foreshadowing here* My boys are a blast to hang out with and have made being the mom of teenagers ridiculously fun.

So I’m in Florida and I get a phone call from one of my bff’s, Kim, and she says, “I just want you to know your son is okay..” (Dead silence.) Sensing I didn’t know to what she was referring, she said, “Oh, I thought you would have heard by now.”

Not a great way to begin a conversation from 450 miles away. I took a deep breath. I did not freak out. I simply responded…

“Ummm, Kim. WHICH SON AND WHAT IS WRONG?!!!!!”

It turns out Elijah and several more of our kids were on the Dare Devil (appropriately named) and the car got stuck. At the top.

….AT THE TOP. For a good half an hour they were lying on their backs. IN A COASTER CAR HUNDREDS OF FEET IN THE AIR, without their mommies… *deep breath*

…..while the Six Flags staff harnessed each kid one by one and transferred them onto a lift. Which lowered them to the ground. FROM HUNDREDS OF FEET IN THE AIR…

God obviously knew what He was doing when He made sure I wasn’t there. And I can promise you my boys are glad I wasn’t there because a scene would have been had on the ground that would have somewhat overshadowed what was going on in the air. I could still stroke out just looking at the pictures.

One thing I loved. Jacob is my bff Kim’s son and I adore him like he’s my own. I’ve told him for years God has assured me he will one day be a preacher. God hasn’t told Jacob this yet but that is irrelevant. Jacob got on the phone to tell me while they were stuck he turned to the other kids and asked, “Does anyone want to ask Jesus to be their Lord and Savior?” Yes and Amen. We have biker churches. We have skateboard churches. We have cowboy churches. I see nothing wrong with Jacob being the pastor of the first roller coaster church. I predict a high conversion rate. Very high.

The folks at Six Flags gave the kids meal vouchers and free fast passes for the rest of the day. You know, I guess that’s fine but I’m thinking FREE EVERYTHING FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE wouldn’t be enough to cover the therapy bills.

Alas, Six Flags wasn’t feeling that generous but the kids did get to see someone who does get the celebrity treatment – Evander Holyfield! (Yes, it was definitely him. They checked the ear.)

No Mr. Holyfield, our kids weren’t stalking you here.

Just a coincidental meeting.

Who’s guarding whom? Evander is much more intimidating than Amusement Park Cop.

The Gang. I’m so happy everyone is on the ground. And I love y’all, Man.

The End.

Hi... I'm Lisa and as the tagline says, also a preacher's wife. I began this website in 2007 just prior to the Facebook revolution when mom blogs were a relatively conflict-free zone for sharing recipes and stories about our latest parenting fails. Fast-forward a few years... Luke and I continue to serve the same family of believers in North Alabama where we've called home for over 16 years. The boys are grown and gone, we have an incredible daughter-in-law and the baby McKay is living her best life as an only child while working and going to college. I am a full-time corporate employee and still love to write and teach Scripture. The last two years haven't been kind to public events but it's been during these trying times that the Lord has revealed the importance of the local church reclaiming discipleship using the gifts of those within the body. The time feels right to refresh the blog as a platform for sharing how God has worked through this process and perhaps encourage other churches to follow. And who knows, there may even be a recipe or more parenting fails. Those don't stop when your kids become adults. Thank you for visiting.. I look forward to connecting!

wanda

View October 17, 2011

Isn’t God awesome how He orchestrates stuff like that?
I’m one of those FLIP OUT mama’s that just might have climbed a rollercoaster tower.
Saving the day…ya know? hehe!

Lisa @ The Preacher's Wife Reply:
October 17th, 2011 at 1:10 pm
hahaha…I would have paid money to see you scale the Dare Devil. :)
Amy

View October 17, 2011

Crazy! I can’t beleive we used to go on those roller coasters as kids! They terrify me now!

Lisa @ The Preacher's Wife Reply:
October 17th, 2011 at 1:09 pm
Ignorance was bliss, wasn’t it? :)
Beth

View October 17, 2011

I love, love, love roller coasters just like that one! However, hanging on the side would not be my idea of fun either. Watching my son hang on the side would make me apoplectic and would surely test my Christianity during trials! Thankful they are all ok. What a great story they have to tell! Loved Jacob offering the plan of salvation right then and there!

Have a great week! (and yes, I am still working on those boxes to send you)

Lisa @ The Preacher's Wife Reply:
October 17th, 2011 at 1:08 pm
haha…thank you! :))
Deb

View October 17, 2011

Only God could have kept me as calm as I was when I walked up and saw them suspended in mid air!! Quite the adventure! I love your boys…they are really cool to hang out with!

Lisa @ The Preacher's Wife Reply:
October 18th, 2011 at 8:01 am
I’m glad they had calm people with them. And yes, they are a blast as are your kids!
Brooke

View October 20, 2011

I got the same call from Madeline…lol….
Funny thing is…Jamie told Madeline the night before they went not to be scared of riding all the rides….its not like you’re gonna die or anything….Bahahaa
Praise the Lord they were ok!

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