Going into this week I know it’s going to be a roller coaster.
Monday: Click, clack clack of the coaster up the impossible hill.
Tuesday, Wednesday: Its windy at the top and I can see all of Southern California. If it weren’t for the solidness of the train and the steel, the summit would be disarming. Because I’m afraid of heights. I still have to look at something close, my hands, my shoes, the bar across my lap as touchstones. I understand I’m really connected the earth and not flying.
We make the slow turn as the rest of the train catches up to the front. Clack clack clack. The track drops off in front of me and my heart begins to race.
Thursday, Friday: A scream that I’m recognizing as my own, my hair against my head, my tears that make horizontal tracks toward my ears as we make our way toward the loop. I feel the pressing of my body into the car and I turn to the side as the world turns on its head. My stomach tells me I’m 35 and not 16.
Saturday: The final shallow bumps and humps near the station, the coaster operator pushes some hidden button somewhere and we all come to a jarring stop. The foreknowledge of this end is the only thing that keeps me from the chiropractor tomorrow.
I know now, on Sunday night, that I’m coming into a week like this: full of mind numbing loops, deafening climbs and halting stops. I’ve already had a weekend that has pointed to it. I know it’s going to be difficult to get to next Saturday night.
There will be tears. There will be heartache. And there might even be disappointment.
So how do I prepare?
I get on the ride. There isn’t a choice in the matter. I pull the restraint bar over my head and shoulders and lock it into place as snug as is comfortable. I press my head and neck against the back of the seat to lessen the shock of the thrilling beginning. And then I hang on.
I pray. I ask others to pray for me. I spend time alone. I read the Bible. I’ll probably break down and then I’ll pray again.
If I know this is going to be a wildly tough week, I am determined to go into it will all my guns blazing, so to speak. I will not, I cannot be flattened by this roller coaster week.
I know I ask it rarely but will you pray for me?
I absolutely will! I love the analogy, especially of pulling down the safety bar before the ride. In an amusement park, we wouldn’t even be allowed to ride the roller coaster without it. God is the most secure safety bar we have, and yet I often fail to “buckle Him in”. Your post this morning gives me a great visual to remember to “lock myself in” with God as my safety bar. Thanks!
Praying. Get that armour on and go face the storm, to use another analogy.
(I’ll also pray there’s no storms while you’re on the roller-coaster…)
I’ll be praying, especially for His peace in the midst.
Praying for you … for wisdom and peace and courage. And I thank you for this wildly honest peek into the reality that is life. For asking for prayer and for allowing us to be involved in undergirding you.
Father, Please be with Sarah, her husband and girls this week. Encamp about them a circle of guardian angels. Let them feel Your peace and protection beginning now and following them through the entire week. For Sarah and her family this week, I claim Psalms 91:4 “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”
Ezra 8:23 … “And He answered our prayer.”
God Bless you as this week begins.
Aine
of course I will pray for you.I know that whatever the week brings God will be there with you holding your hand and you will get through it.how do I know?because he has never let me down no matter how horrific the week so he will do the same for you.he is your heavenly father and you are precious to him.praying for you.
love wendy
He hems you in before and behind. Praying for you.
Know that you’re supported and agreed with in prayer, Sarah. It is our pleasure to pray for you; know that you’re not alone. Lots of love.
Praying for you Sarah!
I would count it a privilige to pray for you Sarah. Keep writing, you are such a blessing.
Anita
Hi Sarah,
I will be praying for you and will ask all of my friends to pray for you as well. All 2 of them… ha ha.
Love-Oly
lifting you up in prayer……
He is SO faithful to give us calm in the storm if we ask Him to.
And He will!!
Yes. I will.
Sarah,
May the God of the universe hold you close in His safety harness this week. Keep your eyes on Him. He’s close.
God bless,
Julie
After a day-long vestry spiritual retreat Saturday and then reading half of Amazing Grace by Kathleen Norris on Sunday my prayer life is taking on a larger dimension. It is getting some meat on the bones instead of being carried around in a paper bag full of fluffy good intentions. You are on the written (real ink, real paper) prayer list.
In Kentucky we have changed the term “cowboy up” from a descriptive term in the rodeo to a verb form for life. In your case, “Cowgirl up and hang on.”
Precious Lord;
Hold Sarah close to you this week. Fill her with every measure of You she needs. Remind her of the JOY of her salvation. This may be a tough week but it is not walked alone. Give her reminders of YOUR prescence this week. Be sweet ot her as she does the hard things to remind her that YOU are near. Let her finish this week well and let her know that You are mighty and yet full of grace and compassion. We bless YOU in advance for all that will be accomplished this week.
Jennifer
What a privilege it is, Lord, to pray for this dear sister who has given us so much through her honesty and vulnerability. We ask that You hold her now on this giant rollercoaster. You are the driver, You are her seatmate, You are the wind blowing in her hair. Allow her to feel Your presence like never before. And prepare her heart to rejoice when Saturday ges here and the ride is over. It’s going to be great. Thank you in advance, Father.
You betcha-will pray for you this week. Thank you for the analogy. Just take it one day at a time. Matthew 6:34~Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself…(easy for me to type–hard to actually do!)
As you ride into this week…praying that you draw ever closer to the safety bar of life…Jesus Christ!!
Yes, I will definitely be praying. I could relate so well to your description of just knowing it was going to be a rough week. My heart goes out to you and I pray that God will give you overwhelming grace and a peace that passes all understanding! You’ve blessed me so much in your posts these past weeks and it’s a privilege to me to feel able to do something for you as well. I hope the Lord turns your roller coaster into one that’s short and smooth this week…
Sarah- praying for you and your family this week. Take comfort in His arms and know that wherever this week leads to…He is already there!
Thanks for your honesty!
Blessings,
Julie
i will pray for you! i also am having one of those weeks ahead!
He will get us through!
praying for you as you head out on this journey!
I will pray for you Sarah! Last night my husband and I were up until 1:30 am having a deep discussion and I sure did need to read your blog today! We have just moved had a major transition to our life (husband getting out of army, moved away from dear friens, moved to his hometown, moved in with his parents, trying to get things unpacked, get 3 yr old twins readjusted, find a church, blah blah blah….need prayers and God’s guidance!) You are such a blessing and God is using you in awesome ways! Thank you for your committment to His calling on your life!
Thanks for the post. God is using you in amazing ways!! Prayers for you!!
yes maam. what a privilege we have to call upon our GOD who is ever so close, listening and knowning all.
I am praying for you that his presence would be BIGGER than the wild coaster ride!
You got it Sarah
I will pray for you, right now I will pray!
I will absolutely pray for you Sarah! I love the post / analogy that you used. It was awesome! I know this may be a tough week but you will come out on the otherside, blessed and better for having made it through!
I will pray for you…daily…hourly if I can remember.
well put.
sometimes i have to fix my eyes on the following week, when the chaos will be over. it is my finish line, my prize. i hang on, ride the week, keeping my eyes ahead for next week.
may God be gracious, merciful, growing you into the sort of creature he wants you to be for his glory, be strength in weakness, peace, and lavish his love on you.
yes!
bless you all!
when you pray for sarah…you touch our hearts deeply!
all my love & prayers, dear girl!
dad
praying.
Praying. Absolutely.
Holding you in prayer, sweet friend. He sustains, He gives grace…
Definitely. If I remember, which I will try my best to (promise!), I’ll come back each day and leave a verse or two. It’s something small, but the Bible is so helpful, comforting, and powerful.
God,
Please be with Sarah. We don’t know what this week will bring for her, and neither does she. Yes, God, she has ideas of what she will face, but only You know for sure. Bring joy and beauty from pain and ashes. Give her peace and strength. Please encourage her, as she often encourages us. Please speak to her and comfort her, because she is often a comfort through the words she writes here. Give her courage to hold on to You through this week. Love her a little bit extra this week. Thanks.
Love you, me.
Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Most definitely. You’ve prayed for me and I do the same for you. Thanks for sharing your life and I understand those roller coasters all too well. May God grant you unparalleled peace this week – the peace that can only be explained through HIM…
How ironic. I wanted to check in at your blog to see what Sarah had to say, because it’s been a very tough week, and Sarah always has some lovely word that helps calm and focus.
I read your post with grim recognition. I think I just got off that ride.
I’ll be praying for you with the others this week. Just hang on! Love to you,
well said, nicole…and all…
hang on…
bless you all,
amazed by Jesus,
sarah’s dad
Praying for you.
Loved this. You always leave me inspired.
Praying strength and comfort over you.
Heavenly Father,
Tonight, I am lifting up my sister in Christ, Sarah, to you. You know her inside and out. You know her pain. You know her story before it even began and you know how it will end. May you give her peace in knowing that you love her, grieve with her when she is struggling, and hold her hand tight when she feels like it is all out of control.
You know the details Lord.
Love,
Another Sarah
http://ellasmom505.blogspot.com
Yes. Praying for you, just did and will continue to do so.
Praying peac. Thank you for the opportunity to reflect the bless-ing back to you.
Nicki
Heavenly Father…I take these few moments to lift Sarah and her husband up to you. They are your children. You love them. Your love for them is greater than all their fears, hurts, and tears combined. It will be this love that will keep them placed firmly in their roller coaster seat even as it blazes down the hills and makes sharp turns. I pray they feel that love…that peace. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
Thank you all for praying for me. i am so blessed to have you in my life.
the week’s not over yet. tomorrow might just be the hardest.
thank you so much.
Its a pleasure to pray for you and I will keep praying.dont worry thiongs are often better than we think they will be and no matter how rough your heavenly father will be holding your hand and helping you through.he will look after his little girl!God bless.
love wendy
Sarah, I had a roller coaster week as well, and I haven’t been faithfully checking on my blogs so I didn’t read this till today. But you did come to mind regularly last week and I prayed for you each time. I hope the perspective of being finished with the week and having made it through makes it seem not so bad. I will keep praying for you. God bless you and yours.