Roller Coaster Ride
Stories
Lectionary Tales For The Pulpit
Series II Cycle A
Rob was like any other teenager; he enjoyed doing the usual things that teenagers do. During school Rob and his friends would hang out after school. On the weekends they would spend several hours walking around the mall. They did not do much, they just liked being together. The week after school was out his friends had talked about spending a day at an amusement park several hours away. They had talked about this before but never were able to agree on a date. They set a date for August. They would have a great time together. There were a couple of new rides that were being advertised as "totally awesome" that they could hardly wait to try out. Rob was reluctant to go. He did not want to sound like a wimp but he really did not like amusement parks. He had a deathly fear of high, fast-moving thrill rides. Rob wasn't sure where this fear came from, he never had any bad experiences. He just did not like heights combined with speed. His friends knew nothing about his fear of fast-moving thrill rides.
With much convincing Rob finally agreed to go with his friends. While his friends went on one ride after another Rob waited patiently for them on the ground. He watched as his friends rode each ride, laughing and obviously having a great time. Confidentially, he wished he could have fun with his friends. He felt that he was missing out on something, but he just could not bring himself to get on those scary rides. Rob was certain that he would not like the rides his friends were enjoying. He did not like heights, he did not like fast-moving rides, he did not want to be frightened. At first no one seemed to notice that Rob was not having a good time.
By early afternoon one of his friends said, "Go on this ride with us." His friends promised to go with him, assuring him that he would not in any way be injured. Perhaps it was peer pressure, but Rob caved in and agreed to ride the roller coaster -- just once. His friends accompanied him up the steps while Rob kept saying over and over, "I can't believe I'm doing this -- I just know I'm not going to like it."
As the roller coaster climbed upward, Rob was afraid to look down. When the other kids on the ride were screaming, raising their arms high as the roller coaster plunged, Rob was holding on for dear life, his hands firmly gripping the safety bar. Later he admitted that he closed his eyes for most of the ride.
When the ride was finally over, Rob felt something he never felt before -- exhilaration. He felt more alive than ever. He was smiling, obviously enjoying the moment.
He felt safe and secure. Rob was the first one to get back in line for a second ride. If only he had tried this sooner.
With much convincing Rob finally agreed to go with his friends. While his friends went on one ride after another Rob waited patiently for them on the ground. He watched as his friends rode each ride, laughing and obviously having a great time. Confidentially, he wished he could have fun with his friends. He felt that he was missing out on something, but he just could not bring himself to get on those scary rides. Rob was certain that he would not like the rides his friends were enjoying. He did not like heights, he did not like fast-moving rides, he did not want to be frightened. At first no one seemed to notice that Rob was not having a good time.
By early afternoon one of his friends said, "Go on this ride with us." His friends promised to go with him, assuring him that he would not in any way be injured. Perhaps it was peer pressure, but Rob caved in and agreed to ride the roller coaster -- just once. His friends accompanied him up the steps while Rob kept saying over and over, "I can't believe I'm doing this -- I just know I'm not going to like it."
As the roller coaster climbed upward, Rob was afraid to look down. When the other kids on the ride were screaming, raising their arms high as the roller coaster plunged, Rob was holding on for dear life, his hands firmly gripping the safety bar. Later he admitted that he closed his eyes for most of the ride.
When the ride was finally over, Rob felt something he never felt before -- exhilaration. He felt more alive than ever. He was smiling, obviously enjoying the moment.
He felt safe and secure. Rob was the first one to get back in line for a second ride. If only he had tried this sooner.
