Everyone finds God their own way

Summer is coming and, with it, carnival season.

I have noticed that for most kids, this is the ultimate in feel-good experiences.

Then there are kids like me, who know we should be having a good time and really do like the idea of having our bodies twirled in the air at a high rate of speed, but still have this uneasy feeling.

The feeling comes from knowing that if we participate, we will crawl off of the ride we attempted and head for the nearest garbage can to lose our lunch.

Even as young as 10 years old, I had that reaction to carnival rides, but back then, I would just go back for more and take the consequences. Not now.

After I had children, I developed the conclusion that this ability to endure carnival rides was genetic because my oldest child was able to scream for joy when centrifugal force would plaster her up against a metal cage while going at least 35 mph.

She would run from one ride to another while her younger sister would stagger from the same rides with a greenish glow and say, “Mom, I don’t feel so good.”

Many times I would just sit with one, watching the other one try to defy the laws of gravity, while eating a hot dog.

It wasn’t until I was well into adulthood that the mystery of carnival rides was cleared up for me. I was at the eye doctor for my annual check-up and the subject came up.

The doctor told me that I couldn’t endure spinning teacups because of how I see the world.

For a moment I was rather offended. I see myself as a rather positive person so what did my outlook have to do with motion sickness?

He explained that it wasn’t my attitude but my physical make-up. My eyes don’t work together (I have one farsighted and one nearsighted) and the minute I start to whirl, my eyes tell my brain that things are not working, and my brain lets my stomach know that this activity is bad.

For some people, closing their eyes helps. But for others, like me, nothing helps. You just have to know what you are capable of doing and be happy with that.

This is also how we should get to know God. There is no correct way to experience your Creator. Maybe you are a person who runs head-long, screaming, into a relationship with Him.

You experience tremendous highs and lows and enjoy every single minute.

Other people need to test the waters and make a journey out of getting to know God. These people aren’t a really demonstrative and don’t jump right in. Sometimes faith is scary and makes them feel uneasy. That is okay because God understands.

The thing to remember is that God meets you where you are and will help you on your way. He loves you and will take care of you the way that best suits you.