The Right Tools

Several different thoughts have come to mind recently when riding and the one thing they all have in common is how you need to have the right “tools ” to succeed.

I needed to make a new house for my rapidly growing puppy and that meant I needed to borrow a saw from my son. Without it, I wouldn’t have been able to cut the wood the way I needed it.

While riding this past week, every ride has required different riding gear (garments can be considered tools too 😀). Every day lately it seems there has been wind to deal with, but the temperatures have varied greatly. One day I rode with a light jacket and my vest and it was perfect. The next day I thought the weather felt the same so I dressed the same. I soon found out I was wrong! My ride was going to be very short if I didn’t go back home for a better choice of “tools”. My hubby was quite surprised to see me back so soon until I explained why. I got on warmer clothes and my leather jacket and warmer gloves and was ready to go again. He said, “You going again?” I said I sure was now that I had the proper clothes. Now my ride was awesome. It was one of those days where I just felt like I was one with the bike and could go forever. Having the proper “tools” made all the difference in the world. I rode for probably an hour and a half or more and decided I probably needed to go home and spend time with my hubby and get some supper going. To my surprise when I arrived, he had just finished roto-tilling the garden and was getting on his bike to go for a ride. He motioned for me to turn my bike and head back out, this time following him. That absolutely made my day; I love the times we get to ride together so much and it doesn’t happen very often so I wasn’t about to say no!! Again I was very thankful for the proper gear so I was still warm enough even now that the sun was starting to go down some.

Again today it was windy and on the first ride of the day that meant sweatshirt and vest, then the second ride was just t-shirt and vest. As you can tell our Spring weather is a bit wacky right now but at least it’s still rideable. I feel bad for others I see that are posting pictures of more snow making riding for them impossible. Riding has also become a “tool” for me to deal with every day life and have that alone time with God.

In all areas of life we need the proper tools; tools for building, clothes for riding, and directions for everything. One of the biggest tools I need EVERY day is God’s word. Every ride begins with a prayer before I even leave my driveway.

Some days it seems I pray all day long, other days it’s just here and there. The fact that I can pray anytime, anywhere, is an amazing tool I know I need. I know if I give it to God, it’s handled. It may or may not be handled the way I want it to be, but I know it’s handled the way it needs to be, if I give it over to Him. I need His word in my mind and my heart daily.

Isaiah 55:8-9

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, not are your ways my ways,” says the Lord.

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. ”

I am so glad I can go to Him and know that He will answer prayers. It may not be in the time I want or the answer I want, but if it’s His will, it’s the right time and the right way.

His word is a tool I need in my heart and mind every day.