It is called “The Spinout” for good reason.  This fair ride clamps you into a seat, lifts you up in the air about 30 feet and proceeds to swing you around and upside down for what could be the longest five minutes of your life.

That is where I was (multiple times) on Monday night.   My youngest daughter wanted me to go “fair riding” with her, so we hit every ride on the midway.  Half way through the night, we ran into some friends of ours who attend our church.  Two of their children, Taylor (who is about ten years old) and Leevi (who is six) want to go riding with us.  Specifically, they wanted to ride “The Spinout”.

As we were strapping in, I began to think, “This is a scary ride for someone as young as Leevi.  I wonder how this is going to go”.  I did not have to wait long to find out.

As the ride started to spin, I looked at Tayler and Leevi.  They looked... ok.   Then the ride flipped over for the first time.  A second glance and I thought, “Uh oh!  They look a little ‘green around the gills’”.  Then came the part that I will never forget.

Tayler shouted, “Are you ok Leevi?”   She then took his hand and said, “Hold on!  It is going to be ok!  I am here right beside you!   I won’t let go of your hand!  This is fun…. right?” (To which he could only muster, through clenched teeth, a half-hearted, “ya”).   Tayler continued to talk to Leevi, reassuring and encouraging him through the rest of the ride.   When it was over, I looked to my right and saw the biggest smiles that I have ever seen on any kids.  All three of them, including Leevi, jumped off the ride, turned around and got right back on.   We rode it several more times that night and it turned out to be their favorite ride.

Once in a while, when everything is turning over and seems upside down, we need someone to take our hand and tell us, “It is going to be ok”.   Sometimes, we feel like we are losing our balance and it is good to have someone say, “I am right beside you”.   Life can be a little disorienting.  It can feel out of control and, when it does, it is good to have family that says, “I am here for you”.

As Christians, we have a God who cares about us so much that “Even the very hairs of your head are all numbered” (Matthew 10:30).   Jesus understands how hard life can be (Hebrews 4:14-16).  The Holy Spirit was sent to be our “comforter” (John 14:15-21).  Lastly, the church can be a place of encouragement and support (Acts 2:42-47).

The point:  We do not have to face things alone. 

In fact, as I found out on Monday night, the ride is always better when it is shared.