Roller Coasters.  
I’ve often mentioned how the parenting experience with our first born child is like a rollercoaster. Life is like a roller coaster ride with its ups and downs.  Our emotions can fluctuate like a roller coaster. And sometimes, these examples are like an adult ride with extreme highs and lows, yet more often they tend to make me feel like I am on a constant kiddie ride, just wavering ever so gently with the delights and descents of life.
When you read many of David’s psalms, you will discover that you are not alone in life’s feelings of wows and woes.
Listen in the video below or take a look at Psalm 25 as an example.

When I delved into God’s word, I began to make a list of what “I will” and what “God will” do according to Psalm 25.  When you read my list, you just may find yourself in one of these “I will”s. Notice the ups and downs of Daivd’s thoughts. Take comfort that you are not alone in your extreme emotions. Comfort won’t only be found in David’s experience, yet take complete assurance in what “God will” do or Who He is. Those words are where I want you to settle and rest in His love.
I will:

• V1. Give my life to God
• V1. Trust in Him.
• V2. Will be defeated at some point.
• V4. Follow God.
• V5. Be led by God
• V7. Rebel by sinning
• V8. Go astray.
• V9. Become humble.
• V10. Keep His convenient and obey His demands.
• V13. Live in prosperity AND my children will inherit. (It’s not just about me!)
• V14. Fear/respect the Lord.
• V15. Fall in my enemies trap.
• V16. Feel alone and in deep distress. (From bad to worse)
• V17. Have problems
• V19. Be hated.
• V20. Take refuge in the Lord.
• V21. Be honest and have integrity.
• V21. Put my hope in Him.

God will:

• V4. Show you the right path.
• V4. Point out the road to follow.
• V5. Lead you.
• V5. Teach you.
• V5. Save you.
• V6. Shows compassions and unfailing love.
• V7. Is merciful.
• V8. Is good and does what is right.
• V8. Showers the proper path.
• V9. Leads and teaches.
• V11. Forgive.
• V12. Show the path we should take.
• V14. Is a friend.
• V14. Teaches His covenant.
• V15. Rescues me.
• V18. Feels your pain, sees your troubles, and forgives your sins.
• V20. Protect and rescue you from your enemies.

Hello?…Y’all, we live in a broken world.  Life isn’t going to go from a valley to a mountaintop and remain perched on top all the days of your life, but there will be persistent highs and lows.  They may feel like the world’s tallest roller coaster, the Kingda Ka in New Jersey, with the breathtaking height of up to 456 feet above the ground, but just like the cart on the ride will eventually go soaring down the track, so will life, your emotions, and various experiences in life. Hang on.  You are NOT alone. God is with you.
O Lord, I give my life to you. I trust in you, my God! Do not let me be disgraced, or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat. No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced, but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others. Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you. Remember, O Lord, your compassion and unfailing love, which you have shown from long ages past. Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth. Remember me in the light of your unfailing love, for you are merciful, O Lord. The Lord is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray. He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way. The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all who keep his covenant and obey his demands. For the honor of your name, O Lord, forgive my many, many sins. Who are those who fear the Lord? He will show them the path they should choose. They will live in prosperity, and their children will inherit the land. The Lord is a friend to those who fear him. He teaches them his covenant. My eyes are always on the Lord, for he rescues me from the traps of my enemies. Turn to me and have mercy, for I am alone and in deep distress. My problems go from bad to worse. Oh, save me from them all! Feel my pain and see my trouble. Forgive all my sins. See how many enemies I have and how viciously they hate me! Protect me! Rescue my life from them! Do not let me be disgraced, for in you I take refuge. O God, ransom Israel from all its troubles. Psalm 25:1-20,22 NLT
Okay, I just reread this and my heart was filled with so much joy. Can I get an “Amen” from you as well? God is your friend…your BEST friend! He is honest, overflows with integrity, compassion, and love.  Sweet Jesus, that is comforting.
I pray you have a beautiful day.  Throw your hands up on this roller coaster ride, and let God grab them.  
Blessings to you and yours, 
Stephanie