It has been a windy weekend here. Yesterday I let the wind win and I didn’t ride. Today I fought back. It was in the 50s and sunny so I rode. I admit it’s not quite as relaxing when there’s gusts of wind to deal with, but it’s still my time to release my thoughts, connect with God and myself, and get refocused. There are sometimes distractions that try to keep that from happening; other vehicles, weather, texts or calls, and any other number of things that occur daily and don’t stop just because I am riding.
As some of these things happened today I forced myself to stay focused on the ride.
The sun was shining on the trees that are still mostly clothed in colorful leaves. The cotton fields are mostly picked and there’s bales and/or roles of cotton waiting to be picked up. Soybean fields are not quite ready to be harvested and the corn fields are just left with stubble.
As I was thinking about all these things and there were some strong gusts of wind, it made me think about the seasons and storms of life. The gusts of wind although irritating, force me to work on my riding skills. I have to remain focused and alert and stay well balanced.
Life is like that too. We go through storms in our life that can try to get us off balance and catch us off guard. We must remain vigilant and aware at all times. We can let the wind and storms defeat us or we can fight back.
I personally grow the most during the storms. It doesn’t mean I like it or I make it through unscathed, but I don’t give up. If the winds get bad, I can’t just decide I’m not riding any further. I have to get back home. I can’t just quit fighting during life’s storms either, I need to get home. We are just passing through this life, this is not our home.
Like yesterday when I let the wind win, there are times when I choose not to fight back, but sometimes not doing anything can also be the right thing. I have to listen to that “still small voice ” and try to obey. Not every battle is mine to fight.
Sometimes that means not doing anything and sometimes it means not saying anything. Both are decisions we each have to make based on the situation and the season of life we are in.
I’ve come to the point in my life where my kids are grown and on their own, it’s just me and my hubby, and we have a beautiful granddaughter. She is the most precious little girl and I am excited to see how God will use her. The joy she has already brought to this Grandma is unexplainable. There’s just something amazing about your “baby” having a baby. I see the way she looks at him and I melt. I have made my share of mistakes along the way, but I’m a proud mom/grandma. Only by the grace of God and with the help of my hubby did things turn out the way they have. I’m blessed beyond measure and I am thankful for this season of life, even with its storms.
That’s not to say I enjoy the winds and the storms when they come, it just means I know that they too shall pass and it will be ok in time.
During the earlier seasons of my life I did not have the peace I now have, but He was always there to see me through. I didn’t necessarily see it or even always believe it then, but looking back now I can see it. They say hind sight is 20/20 and I have to agree. Yes there are things I would change if I had it to do over, but then again if I had done things differently, I wouldn’t be where I am now. Knowing that, I choose to forgive myself for the past and live for today. If God can forgive me, then who am I not to do the same.
Others may try to throw our past at us, but God does not. Its easier to forgive others than it is to forgive ourselves, but without forgiving ourselves, we hinder God from using us to the fullest extent.
He died for my sins and for your sins. I don’t want His death to be in vain. I want to live the life He wants me to. As Thanksgiving approaches I find I’m focusing on being more thankful for so many little things I haven’t before. I’m thankful most of all to have reached the point in my life where I can finally focus more on Him and less on the world and myself. What He thinks is so much more important than what others think.
I’ve stopped watching the news and reading all the media’s negative reports. The media is worldly and full of sensationalism that serves no good purpose. They want everyone to stay in a season of discontent. The winds of change will come in time to them as well, hopefully before it’s too late.
John 16:33
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
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.
Ramblings of a Christian Grandma Biker 