A Cup of Laughter to Brighten Your Day

No Cheap Thrill

(www.ambassadorsforJesus5.com)

     Have you ever done something that you really didn't want to do because someone egged you on?  I was recollecting such an event in my life that took place some years ago.  Let me set the scene for you. 

     My companion and I were at a carnival when she spotted a ride she just had to go on.  Unfortunate for me she decided to do me the honors of picking me to go along for the fright.  I smelled trouble brewing even if she seemed oblivious to it all.  I don't know why people are attracted to such death defying diversions.  Tell me why?!

     That sick ride was similiar to a ferris wheel but the seats were caged in.  

     Why caged?  

     Glad you asked.  As if the idea of being hundreds of feet up in the air wasn't exhilarating enough, you can enjoy the extra terror of being flipped over, and over, and over, in the wretched prison.  Double trouble for your money. This was one freebee I could gladly do without.  I'll admit it, I'm not one for heights, a fear thing.  I mean I could see in a life or death situation but this isn't my idea of fun.  Mind you I didn't have to think about it twice and responded was a definitive, "Nooooo."  Yet my companion wasn't going to be that easily deterred.  She was determined to coax me into it.  The rebuttal, "Come on, what are ya chicken?!"  Her light-hearted banter and confidence were admirable and did a fine job at convincing me it would be alright.  Going against my better judgement I had decided to give it a go, but I was about to find out how bad of a choice it really was.       

     I could not belieeeve I let her talk me into it!  What was I thinking?!  Thus began one of the most scariest experiences of my life. 

    Like two blind victims walking into a torture chamber we sat in our seats and the cage was closed making us its captive prisoners to the horror awaiting us.  I don't think the ride was on for more than five seconds when my companion did a Dr. Jeckle turned Mr. Hyde and started to seriously freak out.  I could still hear her hysterical screams as if it were yesterday.  It went something like this, "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!  Stop!  Stoooooop!  Stop this blankity (censored) ride!  Mr. you stop it right now!  Stooopppp!  Oh Jesus, oh Jesus, help!  Stop this ride!!!  Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

     Isn't that how it is, we always remember Jesus after our bad choices and then find ourselves in dire straits.  

     Self-confidence is way over-rated.  Me the chicken?  This was one awful twist of fate.  I think I was somewhat in shock!  And who was this person that sat by me hanging onto sanity by a thin thread?  What happened to my brave companion that should have been comforting me?!  Sometimes you just don't know what you have in you until it is put to the test.  And so the role reversals began.

     In my love and concern for her I entered the painful and excruciating process of silencing my own heart-wrenching screams in fear that they would send her over the edge.  I don't think the word "scared" can do justice to what we were feeling on that twisted ride (who comes up with these things?!).  It was like some awful nightmare coming to life before my eyes and feeling powerless to do anything about it.  Forget about bravado, we just had to somehow endure.

      The kids above us were quite into it, spinning their cage around and around as if it were going out of style.  My companion had some choice words for them too, "Are you crazy?!" It was amazing the guy at the controls didn't stop the ride. 

     Did he not hear the screeching horror? 

     Did he not see the "red alert" levels of distress on our faces? 

     Did he not care?!  

     I mean there was a serious case of anxiety going on here and felt like we were in danger of cardiac arrest.  Every second seemed like an eternity.  Oh, how time does go by so painfully slow when you are not having fun, prolonging your distress.

     Finally, finally, the ride ended.  And as we came off my companion threw me for another loop as she quickly recovered and went on like nothing had ever happened.  Yes, Dr. Jeckle had returned. 

     I couldn't believe it!  It was like, 'Don't you have anything to say for yourself?!'

     I looked at her in my contemplative way and said, "Chicken hey?"  My short version of, "What are ya talking about lady?!  Did you not see the scene you made?  Geesh gal!  I'm not sure what was worse, the ride or you!"  She just silently walked away from me.  Guess there wasn't much to say after all that and I didn't look to carry on.  It was obvious, the ride was a mistake and punishment enough, to say the very least. 

     That was about 23 years ago and to this day when I think about the irony and horror of it all it makes me laugh, although at the time it was anything but funny.  To be fair to my companion she is real a sweetie and God knows she has put up with some unpleasant situations I have put us in.  Thank God for the bond of love that glues us together. 

     In distressing times, two can be better than one.  And how much better when we are accompanied by Jesus.  No "three is a crowd" there.  I don't care who made the poor judgement call, the love of God makes allowances and helps see us through.  Mercy will be shown to those who show mercy and God knows I need mercy too.

  Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

  Two are better than one,
       because they have a good return for their work:

  If one falls down,
       his friend can help him up.
       But pity the man who falls
       and has no one to help him up!

  Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
       But how can one keep warm alone?

  Though one may be overpowered,
       two can defend themselves.
       A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.