Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: TOURIST ATTRACTION(S) (natural or man-made) (08/06/15)
-
TITLE: The Wild Eagle | Previous Challenge Entry
By Alisha Ritchie
08/08/15 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31 NIV
My thirteen year old son and I have been waiting for this moment for a long time. Standing in the huge line, dripping with sweat from the bright sun beating down on us, and feeling parched from thirst, will all be worth it. We are next in line to ride the exciting new roller coaster, The Wild Eagle, at Dollywood.
Our anticipation grows as we see the tram pull into the lane in front of us. The gate opens and we dash to the empty seats, pull the shoulder harnesses down, and click the belts tightly.
“This is going to be so much fun!” my son says.
“I know, I can’t wait!” I reply.
And just like that, we’re whisked off on our adventure. The roller coaster car creeps slowly up the enormous metal hill. My son and I can see all over the theme park from our high altitude. We even try to spot my husband and daughter, who are waiting in the crowd below us.
We finally reach the top of the hill, twenty-one stories high, feeling as though we’re engulfed in fluffy white clouds and a blue sea of endless sky. Suddenly, we dash down the other side of the track at breathtaking speeds. We literally feel as though we are soaring through the sky on eagle wings. Gliding, dipping, flipping, and corkscrewing, our feet dangle and we grip our shoulder harnesses until our knuckles are white. My heart beats fast as the wind swishes my hair in a million directions. I glance over at my son, noticing the huge grin on his face.
“Woohoo!!! Yeah!!!” I scream. I feel as though I’m on top of the world.
The ride comes to a stop all too soon and reality sets in. We’re done with soaring for today and rush off to find the rest of our family.
While thinking of my all-time favorite roller coaster ride, I am reminded of how much it resembles life.
More importantly, I wonder, “Does my son realize his life is like a theme park attraction?”
There will be plenty of exhilarating dips and twists in his life. I’m sure he will experience times when everything is creeping slowly, almost boring, and then all of a sudden, circumstances and situations come at him in a chaotic whirlwind of activity. There will most certainly be many highs and yet also, many lows. There will be times when he feels on top of the world and other days when he sinks into a low valley of disappointment.
Through all of the twists and turns, highs and lows, of life, I pray my son will remember the Scripture in Isaiah that reassures God loves him and has his best interests at heart. As he and I hope in the Lord, we’re expectant the Lord’s strength is enough to carry us through life’s distractions and difficulties.
He is in total control and will give us fortitude to prevail. His purposes are far greater than ours and He is always there, right on time, when we need Him.
The Lord is the true source of power that enables us to soar on wings like eagles.
“Lord, thank you for your strength and love for me. Help me remember that when I am weak, You are mighty, strong, and willing to help me. Give me peace that You are in total control of the roller coaster of my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be right now. CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
Keep Writing!
Just a few minor suggestions: many who write inspirational or devotional writings have learned not to begin with their scripture, as many people skip right over the scripture to get to the story. If you want to be sure that your scripture is read, then incorporate it into the body of your devotional.
Second, the analogy of "life is a roller coaster" has been done many, many times. In order to make your analogy stand out, you'd need to bring something new or unexpected to it. It's sort of an irresistible analogy, given the prompt for this week, but you're definitely a good enough writer to go one step beyond the obvious. Think of an unexpected way that the analogy could be used: maybe the "lows" are good times (times of peace?) and the "highs" are bad (times of too much frantic activity), or maybe you can think of some other way to bring freshness and originality to the extended metaphor.
I love your use of the present tense, bringing the reader straight into the experience. Very well done.