Do you ever feel like life is one long test? Like no matter how much planning or preparation you do, something will happen to either test you or make your plans change completely?
Well that was me this weekend. We haven’t been away at all for a year now so we decided being this was our 10th anniversary we deserved it and we were going to go away. I had even requested off 5 months ago!
We decided we were going to make it a long weekend away for some much needed quality time together. We do now get to spend more time together, quantity wise, since hubby quit his 2nd shift job, but we still need that quality time occassionally.
As you’ve probably guessed by now, that didn’t happen. Due to circumstances beyond our control, we decided it was best to postpone our weekend get away. That didn’t mean we had to give up our quality time together for these 3 days, it just took different planning. This was a test we needed to pass for us.
We came up with a new plan and we were determined to carry it through. There are a few people in my life I have a hard time saying “no” to, and although I didn’t think there was any chance I would have to do that this weekend, I was again wrong. It was hard for me initially, but I said no and felt like this was just another test, to see if I would carry through and remain committed to just us this weekend.
Riding was not in our initial plans this weekend, but it found it’s way in due to the change and I’m very thankful it did. As we headed out Sunday for a ride together it was an amazing feeling, yet I again felt like I was being tested. When I ride alone I’m totally carefree and pressure free. I absolutely love when we get the chance to ride together, but I realized as we started out, I was feeling pressured, not as carefree. I was not riding as relaxed and this was a pressure I put on myself. I felt like when I was back in school getting ready to take a big test. I always wanted to make my mom and dad proud and do my best to get a great grade.
As we rode I realized I was over thinking my moves and holding on too tight, because I wanted to make my hubby proud to ride with me and to see how far I’ve come in just under 3 years since learning to ride, thanks to him. He’s been riding all of his life so I know I’ll never be as experienced as he is, I just didn’t want to disappoint him. Once I realized what I was doing, I relaxed more and felt less pressured. Again, this was something I’d done to myself so only I could fix it. The ride became much more enjoyable and fun! I know I probably held back further than was necessary, but I always feel if I ride too closely I won’t have time to react appropriately if there’s a sudden stop or change in direction.
We pulled off on a side road at one point to check our location, we didn’t have a set route we planned out ahead of time. When we were ready to go, we needed to turn around to get back on the main road. Hubby asked me if I could turn around, in the road. I said it might take me a minute but yes I could. ( This was a dead end and little traveled road so traffic was not an issue.) Another test I was determined to pass. Had I been here alone, I’d have driven down to the church ahead and used their parking lot, but I knew I could do this. I was determined to and I did. It’s not that this is hard to do, it was just a mental “fear” of turning too sharp and dropping the bike, something I had done once with my previous bike. I’m happy to say I did NOT drop the bike and I turned it around in the road. I of course did not do it as effortlessly and gracefully as he did, but I was successful, another test passed and it felt good!
The rest of the ride was wonderful. There’s just something special about riding behind him on my bike that I can’t completely explain. We stopped a few times, and he always asked if I was doing ok when we stopped. ❤ That too is special to me. I’ve read many posts by other women riders and I’m always baffled when I read how their husbands or boy friend make them feel inferior when they ride together and some actually seem to purposely ride in a way that makes their spouse/girlfriend uncomfortable. I’m thankful my hubby is not that way when we ride and I cherish the times we go together.
Our weekend plans were changed and there were tests along the way but it was still a wonderful weekend. Sometimes it’s just all in the attitude you approach the change with. I guess as many times as I’ve had to adjust to changes at work as well as when I ride, due to weather and/or road conditions and detours, change has become easier to deal with. That’s not to say I necessarily like change, but I can now tolerate it much better than I used to.
I know He always has a plan and it’s not always the same as my plan, but He will always see me through. Make time for those you love, to show them love, not just talk about it.
Psalm 18:30
As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.
1 John 3:18
My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.
Ramblings of a Christian Grandma Biker 