One Size Fits All-Really?

I’m sure most of us at one time or another has seen something that says, “one size fits all”. Think about that for a minute and let it sink in, do you really believe that? I’ve seen this so many times and it’s very misleading; a dress for example with this tag cannot possibly fit a size small person through say a 2x person. There really is no such thing as one size fits all when it comes to clothing for sure.

If you ride like I do you also know that it’s true with bikes, helmets, gloves and any other item you can think of that we would need. Everything needs to fit correctly in order to receive the maximum benefit. The same is true for things other than clothing and accessories.

On several rides and also while spending time outside doing yardwork or playing with my dog, I’ve repeatedly been pondering that simple statement and I’ve been wondering what it is I’m supposed to share with you about it. As I’ve mentioned before I sometimes start to ramble, then that still small voice tells me to hold off to finish, there’s more to come. Many of my rides have included thoughts about “one size fits all” but have also been filled with personal conversations between me and God that have given me a new sense of peace.

It’s through those conversations, mostly one sided with me pouring out my heart and thoughts to Him, that I finally received my answer of what to share. There is only one thing in this life that is truly one size fits all, that is the size of God and He is here for us all. Jesus is the only “perfect fit.” It doesn’t matter how big or small the problem or request may seem to us, He has it covered.

There is no health care policy, no job, no relaxation technique, no medication, no political view, and no food or drink even that is perfect for everyone.

We all have differing tastes, thoughts, interpretations, and opinions about pretty much everything. None of us thinks or acts the same as anyone else. We all have different priorities and ways of learning and dealing with things. We all make our own choices and what works for one doesn’t work for another. Most of the time if I’m stressed I ride to destress, or I spend time doing yard work, gardening, listening to music and/or playing with my dog. Rainy days put a kink in ALL of those things sadly. A couple of months back when I had a stressful day I reverted to an old choice of consuming what I consider “junk” instead of doing any of the above releases until after I’d already consumed the junk. After a while we had a good supper and then thankfully it was a bit cooler than it had been in the evening so I proceeded to go do some work outside while listening to music and playing fetch with my dog before it got too dark and I was then able to destress. I avoid riding at that hour because too much wildlife here in the country is moving about as it gets close to dark and they’re harder to see that time of day.

I didn’t think much more about the “junk” I consumed but after having been in bed for an hour or so it was having it’s say. I felt a little bad but was able to doze off, then it actually woke me up. The next hour or so I felt pretty bad and realized that it was most likely from my poor choice of how I dealt with the stress initially, it definitely wasn’t worth it. I had a good long talk with the Lord about it and it will NOT happen again I assure you.

Sometimes God allows us to mess up so that we will hopefully learn from it, just like my parents did with us, like I did with my boys, and I am doing with my granddaughters. Being allowed to make mistakes helps us to grow. We may want to tell others the decisions that we feel are best for them based on the things we’ve learned from our own past, but just like we had to learn on our own, so do others. We learn more from experience than just from being told in most instances. Mistakes are also not “one size fits all”, we each have varying degrees of mistakes and all have to learn in our own time our own way and also pay the consequences along the way.

A few months ago I had to get new tires on my bike. They of course are not one size fits all either. The correct tire with the proper tread makes a world of difference. Even though the old tires were the right size, their tread no longer was adequate and they no longer “fit” the road properly. I could tell when I rode that even though they appeared to still have some good tread left, the bike just wasn’t handling the way it should on the country roads with their bumps, cracks, blemishes and defects. This made me take fewer and shorter rides so they needed to go.

The day I got the new tires, my hubby picked me up when I dropped it off then took me back to get it when it was ready. He asked if I was headed right back home or going to ride, I think he probably knew what that answer was when he asked, and I told him I was going to take a short ride first. Let’s just say it ended up not being a short ride after all.🤣 I’ve always been told to be careful for about the first 100 miles or so on new tires as they can be a little slick and need to have that newness worn off. There’s no better time than the present I thought, right?! The bike rode and handled so much better than it had for quite some time and it almost felt like a new bike. I kept thinking I really needed to head home and get things done, but everything felt perfect while I was riding and I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. Thankfully I have an understanding husband who knows how much I enjoy riding and he doesn’t make me feel guilty when I do. I’m sure he probably enjoys the quiet time at home alone while I’m gone too so it’s a win win situation.

I know from stories I’ve read about other women who ride that this is not the case for many, but it works for us. I ride protected in multiple ways and yet the freedom of the ride is like nothing else I’ve ever experienced as you know if you’ve read previous ramblings. This lifestyle doesn’t fit all, but it fits us. The times we go for short rides together are an amazing feeling I can’t explain as are the memories of when I used to ride on the back of his and not on my own.

I’ve had my granddaughters often overnight the past several months and I got thinking more about the whole “one size fits all” as they were both trying to get their favorite spot on my lap to get snuggled in to read books one night before bedtime. There will soon be a third little girl added to my lap and I’m not sure exactly where she will “fit” but I know she will! I asked them where their little sister was going to fit when she arrives and I could see they were thinking about exactly how they would make room. Grandma’s lap will be just the right size no matter how many are sitting on it I assure you, just like God’s hands can hold each and every one of us, if only we will reach out and grab ahold of it. I’m so thankful His arms do fit all and am grateful He holds me even when I’m so undeserving. We all “fit” in the palm of His hand and His fit is the only perfect one.