Today was a very busy day at work and after work a ride was very much needed! If you have never ridden you need to know that riding awakens all of the senses. The ride started out when the sun was shining brightly and the sky was blue with some white thin clouds. As the ride progressed the sun was starting to set and the sky became much more colorful and the clouds were sometimes very puffy with light shining behind and through them. It seemed to have many more layers and even more beauty as the evening went on. This was the sense of sight being awakened and made me aware of the beauty that God creates every day for us to see.
While riding your sense of smell is also very much awakened. I smelled someone’s fabric softener from their laundry being done and it was a very fragrant flowery smell. I smelled other things as well; including burning rubber from someone’s brakes, freshly cut grass, a skunk (I didn’t say all smells were pleasant), and my favorite smell was along a specific road I frequent when I want a “comfort” smell. It’s the smell of dairy cows, yes manure. This smell reminds me of my childhood and my daddy who has gone on to be with Jesus. I remember going to a farm and I did not wear shoes back then unless I had to, still don’t actually. I loved to walk through the dairy barn barefoot and walk through, yep you guessed it, warm cow pies. I loved the feel of it squishing through my toes. I know you probably think that’s pretty gross but it’s a childhood memory I don’t think I’ll ever forget. It reminds me also of my daddy because he always worked with farmers; whether helping to farm or selling them farm equipment and silos, or working in the silos to keep them running properly.
So far I have described the senses of seeing and smelling. Next is the sense of touch. You can feel your hands start to ache a little from time to time from the stretching for the clutch or the tight grip on the throttle sometimes. You can feel the wind on your face and arms as you ride and can feel bugs as they hit you while you’re riding down the road(if they’re big bugs they don’t feel too nice when they hit you doing 55 mph believe me, but it’s all about experiencing those feelings that make you know you are alive.
You actually can experience tastes as well when you ride in a sense. You can feel your lips getting dry and if you lick them to moisten them you get a “taste” of the ride. Different smells can also have a “taste” to them as well.
Hearing is a sense that is definitely awakened. You can hear your bike, other vehicles, birds, bugs hitting your windshield, machinery and different noises from buildings that you go by, and the wind. Even on a calm day, there is wind when you ride and many often refer to riding as getting wind therapy.
For me, and the reason I started writing this all down, is the most amazing conversations I have with God and with myself are when I ride. It is the only time I have when I can think clearly with uninterrupted time with God. There are no phones going off, nobody can talk to me, and I am not sitting at home looking at all of the other things I could/should be doing. It is a feeling of true freedom. Granted I have to be very aware of my surroundings at all times and of what other drivers are and aren’t doing, but it still an in-explainable feeling. I sing hymns and songs to myself, I work through things that otherwise would overwhelm me, I take time to process all areas of my life and talk to God about it all. There have been times when I have rebuked Satan LOUDLY while riding and if anyone heard me they probably thought I was a bit crazy, that’s OK with me.
I never learned to ride a bike until after I turned 50. I swore I would always just ride behind my hubby and not on my own. If there’s 1 things I have learned in my 50+ years, it’s that every time I say I am NOT going to do something, sooner or later I end up doing it.
I am so grateful that my husband encouraged me to learn, and has supported me along the way. The other day he even said, “take your time and enjoy your ride. After the week you’ve had you deserve it.” He has no idea how awesome that made me feel and those 73 miles were amazing therapy for me that day.
Riding isn’t for everyone and it has to be something you truly want to do if you are going to enjoy it. If riding is not for you, I encourage to find that outlet that is for you. Something you do just for you to clear your mind and truly connect with God. It has been a lifesaver for me, I only wish I had something like this in the past when I was going through tough times. I have it now though, and it makes the world of difference in my every day life and most importantly with my relationship with God. I have been able to handle things that have happened over the past few years in a much better way than I would have previously.
One of my favorite verses of scripture for years has been Proverbs 3:5-6, ” Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he shall direct your paths.”
This verse is as true today as the first time I ever read it. This past year has been very challenging personally for me with many “unexpected” situations arising and I know that it’s purely through my closer relationship with Him that I have been able to remain strong and faithful to Him.
Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”
That’s all of my ramblings for today so this christian grandma biker is signing off for now until next time-
Ramblings of a Christian Grandma Biker 