Too…..

Fall has officially arrived! The good part of that is cooler temperatures, the bad part is the clocks went back 1 hour so now it will get dark even earlier. I wish they would leave the time alone, there aren’t enough daylight hours for riding as it is without messing with the clocks!

It’s also that time of year when I never quite know how to dress for riding. I know I need to wear my leathers to block the wind most days, but sometimes I end up sweating before I even begin to ride by the time I get ready 🤣.

One ride recently I realized soon after I started that I chose the wrong gloves. I found a church parking lot on a country road where I was able to safely pull over and switch them out. I carry all of my gloves at all times because temperatures can change quickly, this time of year especially. Now my hands weren’t feeling the cool wind, but I soon realized these gloves were a bit too tight. I’ve worn them before many times but think they may have shrunk a little by getting wet too often maybe. None of these issues were going to stop my ride but it did get me thinking about “too.”

On this ride and many since, that’s the word that keeps popping in my mind. Often when riders talk about going riding I hear/see the mention of too windy, too hot, too cold, too wet, too fast, too slow, too dark, too bumpy, too….whatever it may be. For me if it’s not pouring down rain or pitch black dark, everything else can be handled. Here in the country where there’s no street lights and many nighttime wildlife wanderers I just don’t ride at night. Hubby and I both used to, but ever since he had a deer nail him in the ribs on a ride home, we both tend to avoid that now. I’ve ridden in the rain many times, not by choice really, it just happens sometimes.

Life seems to hold many “toos” as well. We hear too broke, too loud, too quiet, too busy, too lazy, too ill, too much, too little, too stressed, too carefree, too religious, too tired, too expensive, too complicated, too controversial, too outspoken, too strict, too lenient, too early, too hard, too passionate and the list goes on! I’ve thought often while riding the past few weeks about all of this and there are a few “too” ideas that keep repeating over and over in my rambling mind like “too early.”

I’ve been seeing Christmas decorations for a while now and have heard people saying it’s too early for all of that. I’ll admit there was a time when I would have agreed, but really why is it too early? I’ve been listening to Christmas music for several weeks now, since October actually, and I’ve already watched Frosty the Snowman several times. My granddaughters and I have also watched The Star multiple times. Why do we think of it as too early? Granted Thanksgiving hasn’t arrived yet, but so what? We really should be more thankful every day, not just on Thanksgiving, and we should celebrate the true meaning of Christmas daily as well. The commercialism of Christmas is I believe why the “too early” comments come into play. Too often there is too much focus on the material gifts, not the one true gift.

I’m sure as I’m writing this, some are going to think I’m too religious and speak of things that are too controversial. That’s the beauty of freedom of speech and having my own blog, I can share what’s in my mind and heart as I ride, and if someone doesn’t like what I share they have the choice to just scroll on by. The title of my site alone should be sufficient enough proof that I’m not ashamed of my beliefs and there’s a good chance I’m going to share them at some point in my rambling. I will not apologize for that nor will I “tone it down” so as not to offend someone because I am too outspoken. I’ve had some comments from others recently about just that but…I’m not too ashamed to continue on.

The true meaning of Christmas warrants us to celebrate it all year. If it wasn’t for Jesus being born in a manger all those years ago, for us, then what are we truly here for? It’s never too early to share Him with others, but it can definitely be too late. I love hearing my granddaughter singing Jesus Loves me and sometimes saying the blessing before eating. Even if she doesn’t say the blessing herself, she always says Amen at the end and yesterday her little sister bowed her head and also said a loud Amen at the end, they are only 2 and a half and 17 months. No it’s never too early!

I also often hear and read about it being too late for some because they made too many mistakes that can’t be changed. While it may he too late to change the past, there is still time to make changes to improve the future. The choice is our own. I recently found myself being “ill” as it was put with someone I love and realized I was allowing myself to become too focused and too stressed about things I had no control over. A good ride and uninterrupted conversation with Him, was just what I needed to get refocused and out of my “too ill” mindset.

There’s nothing for me that can compare to the feeling of riding down the road in however much gear is required to stay warm and appreciating the beautiful countryside He created for us to enjoy. Life is too short to take it too seriously. Take the time to get in those rides every chance you get. If you’re new to riding, don’t let fear, worry, other drivers or riders intimidate you. Ride your ride and enjoy it! Too much time in life is wasted out of fear and worry. Give it to Him and together it will all work out. It’s not always the way we want it to, but I’ve learned over the years His way is so much better than mine, when I’m not too stubborn to listen.

What is your “too?” Is it different day to day or is there one particular one that stops you time and again? Will getting in a good ride or whatever your outlet is help? Don’t be too afraid or worried to do it. He will be right there with you if you only ask and allow Him in. He rides with me I know, because He has saved me on more than one occasion and brought me and my bike home safely every single time. Nothing is too anything for Him and it’s never too late or too early as long as you’re still breathing.

2 Timothy 1:7

For God has not given us a Spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Psalms 56:3-4

Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?

Romans 8:28

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Proverbs 16:3

Commit your works to the Lord, And your thoughts will be established.

Hebrews 13:15

Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.