One of the top items on my bucket list has always been to ride a mechanical bull. I have absolutely no idea why or how that made it to the top of my list other than I’ve always loved the soundtrack to Urban Cowboy, which features a picture of John Travolta riding a mechanical bull on the album cover.
Regardless, whatever the reason, it’s been a dream for as long as I can remember.
So, imagine my delight last April when my high school friends and I took a girls’ trip to Nashville. I knew this was my chance to make my dream come true, and I . . . was . . . pumped!
Oddly enough, there aren’t as many mechanical bulls in Nashville as you might think. Hot chicken on every corner—you bet! Mechanical bulls—not so much.
But my girls were bound and determined to find me a bull, and after a lot of time on the Google, they came up with two options.
The first bull was located at an establishment with a name that would make you blush, and we decided no self-respecting ladies from Rock Hill would dare cross that threshold. Our mamas raised us better than that, after all.
But my crew wasn’t about to call of the search so quickly. We kept looking and finally found a bull at an upstanding establishment, Nashville Underground, so we pulled on our boots and headed down Broadway to check an item off my bucket list.
When we arrived, there was a bit of a crowd, but that wasn’t going to slow us down. Ashley headed straight for the front of the line and sweet talked the bouncer into helping us out. (Bless him, he probably realized we were up way past our bedtime and felt sorry for us!)
We were in, and I was ready!
Long story short, riding that mechanical bull was as thrilling and memorable as I ever imagined.
When it was my turn, I hiked up my dress*, hopped into the saddle, and hung on for dear life as that bull bucked me around and around. And even though I got thrown off multiple times and could barely walk the next day, it was totally worth it, thanks in large part to the laughter and encouragement of dear friends.
Looking back, the whole experience reminds me of the story in Luke 5 of the friends who outsmart the crowd and lower their paralyzed friend’s mat through the roof so Jesus can heal him.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Katherine, you can’t possibly be comparing your friends’ dedication to finding you a mechanical bull to the paralyzed man’s friends’ loyalty in taking him to Jesus for a miracle.”
Well, technically, this is my blog, and I can write whatever my little heart desires, but no, I agree, that does seem like a bit of a stretch. However, this comparison isn’t so much about the mechanical bull.
It’s more about the fact that four months later, when my mom died, this same group of friends showed up again to truly carry me through. They, along with so many others, picked me up at my lowest point and demonstrated the power of Jesus’ healing love.
I would imagine the paralyzed man was thankful for Jesus the day he was healed, but I would also wager he was even more grateful for his friends, for without them, he never would have seen Jesus. It was their faith that led to his miracle.
I know how he felt.
My friends’ love, support, memories, and laughter carried me through then and continue to lift me up even now. Their faith and their actions are tangible reminders that even when life gets heavy, Jesus is right here with us, and he uses others to lighten our load.
So, let’s all strive to be more like the paralyzed man’s friends. Let’s do what we can to lift each other up. Let’s carry each other through the hard times and celebrate together in the good ones.
After all, one thing is for certain: There will be times in life when we get bucked right off the proverbial bull, but with the love and support of faithful friends, we can dust ourselves off and get back in the saddle, ready to ride a full eight seconds and make our dreams come true.
*A word to future Nashville travelers: If you think there’s any chance your evening will end up with you on the back of a bull, DO NOT wear a dress! Sure, I looked really cute, but it made for a seriously awkward dismount. #thankgoodnessforspanx.