Upside Down

Upside Down

When troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.

James 1:2

In Las Vegas for a family wedding, we were fascinated by the roller coaster that was part of the New York–New York Hotel. My sister and I asked our mother, not the amusement-park type, if she would mind sitting with our purses while we rode.

The look on her face surprised us, so I asked, “Mom, do you want to go with us?”

To our amazement, she exclaimed, “Sure!”

Mom was fine with the roll bar clanking into place in our laps, but her puzzled expression showed she did not understand the point of the shoulder harnesses.

I asked, “Mom, did you know this thing goes upside down?”

Eyes wide, she protested, “What!”

And we were off!

Julie and I loved it, but Mom’s mouth was tightly pursed, and her eyes were narrowed as she kept her gaze locked on her feet. She was not having a good time. In fact, she was downright miserable.

The three of us were experiencing the exact same event, but our responses were worlds apart. The difference was our attitudes. Isn’t that like life? Sometimes we find ourselves locked into a roller coaster that is upside down, and we do not like being upside down. It is terrifying, and we have no control. We were expecting something lovely and smooth, but that is not what we encountered.

Near the end of the ride, a camera snapped a picture of us. Mom was absolutely not interested in buying it, but we did anyway. And the picture, now an heirloom since Mom is gone, is a priceless illustration of the difference attitude makes.

—Sue Bohlin

Lord, help me to invite you into my attitudes. Help me release them into your hands. Transform them so I will not be miserable when the roller coasters go upside down and your goal is to show me that, whatever my circumstances, I am safe in your love. Amen.