The fair was a big deal when I was a kid. Back in the day, we went to school half a day when it opened. If we went to the fair, it was a family trip. To me, it was always an exciting mini adventure. After I grew older, my mom and I tagged along with my friends. One such trip happened at the fair of 1980. It was one to remember.
We used the entrance next to Magnolia Avenue. The very first attraction we saw was the a mechanical bull. I know that sounds strange nowadays, but the movie “Urban Cowboy,” had been released that June. It was also the summer of the infamous “Dallas” cliff hanger: “Who Shot J.R.” Well, one of my friends decided he was going to ride it. Personally, I think he was trying to impress my best-friend and cousin since they had just started seeing each other. I’ll never forget watching him desperately hanging on as he was being slung around. Even though he didn’t stay on it but a few seconds, I admired him for attempting it. No way would I have done that, but then again, I trip over air molecules. Just saying.
The next attraction was the House of Mirrors. It was a building full of long mirrors that formed a maze. A maze is a type of puzzle that this full of pathways, but only one is the way out. Other paths lead to dead ends or into other paths. During fall, many places have corn mazes. My friends and I decided to try it. thought it would be fun. Boy, was I wrong.
For the first few minutes, it was fun. It soon faded when I couldn’t find my way out of the maze. I don’t know how many dead ends I encountered. Honestly, I think I ended up in a few of them a couple or more times. Whenever I turned around to go back, I became confused because all of the mirrors looked exactly alike. So, I couldn’t retrace my steps. Soon I began to feel claustrophobic. In my mind, I was trapped with no way out. Fighting back my growing panic, I kept making twists and turns to no avail. I wondered at what point the fair people would have to send a rescue party for me. Then I looked out the clear glass front walls and saw my friends standing outside and waiting for me.
To be honest, I was somewhat embarrassed. They had found their way out and I was still stuck inside. Then I believed that I had finally found my way out. I ran toward what I thought was the opening to get out. Imagine my surprise when I ran into a clear glass wall. I smacked into it with such force that it knocked me backwards. Thank goodness I had my hands up and out in front of me. If I hadn’t done that, I may have hurt myself. I wanted to scream, but I didn’t. Instead, I prayed, took a deep breath and tried again. After a few minutes, I came to what seemed to be another opening. This time I inched my way forward.

“He that trustees in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh, he shall be delivered.” Proverbs 28:26

My life reflects what I experienced in the House of Mirrors. For a while, I wasn’t as close to The LORD. During that time, I took paths that seemed right to me. Because of that, I ended up in many dead ends that lead to confusion and disappointments. After I got my relationship with Him back on track, I not only began to see things differently, but I also realized how much He had protected as I wandered through my own maze.
When I stepped out into the open air, I took in a deep breath and said a prayer of thanks. There was absolutely no way I would go back into the House of Mirrors again. Not even for a stash of chocolates.

Brooke Cox is an author, speaker, and storyteller. She was a 2016 Selah Awards Finalist for Debut Novel. Her children’s book: “Dinosaur Eggs,” is now available. It is based on Ephesians 6: The Armor of God. Her novel “Until the Moon Rises: A Conniving Cousin Mystery” is also available. Also, she has two books out in her storytelling series: “Saucy Southern Stories.” The Amazon links for her books may be found on her website: brookecoxstories.com. Please feel free to contact her. She would love to hear from you.