Burden or Blessing

Yes I’m back riding and writing again! I’ve been riding some but not writing.  I feel that shifting now.  My rides the  past 2 weekends I dare say were the most relaxed and guilt free rides in my almost 11 years of riding my own bike. Everything felt different.

The weather was hot but it wasn’t windy and there were no rain showers in sight. I wasn’t constantly wondering if someone might try to call me requiring me to abort my ride to attend to other matters. Nobody was driving on the wrong side of the road headed at me and there were actually some kind drivers at 4-way stops that motioned for me to go before them, even though they had the right of way. Simply put they were great rides.

Many previous rides were hindered by reckless drivers and thoughts of things going on in life that I allowed to prevent me from thoroughly enjoying that time alone on the open country roads. My mind was racing and I just wasn’t able to focus on the beauty and solitude of the ride time.

Many things have changed since I last wrote anything. There have been heart aches, joys, a funeral, and also more grandbabies have been added to the family.  I’ve visited with a cousin I hadn’t seen in many years, met my nephew’s baby boy and his wife to be, and so many more blessings along the way.  Life goes on whether we take the time to acknowledge and appreciate it or not.

So much of our lives can become very routine driven and we may not even realize it. I know I’ve been guilty of this more times than I care to count.

The past 2 rides I’ve taken, led me to do quite a bit of reflecting and soul searching. Many times when we’re in the midst of our journey,  we can see our situations and feel like we are burdened with so many things going on that we miss the blessings along the way. If any of you has ever been , or is currently,  a caregiver, you can probably relate to this.

Over the years, I have been blessed to care for both my mom and my dad in many ways as they aged and developed health issues. Were there days when it felt burdensome? Absolutely there were, it would be a lie to say otherwise.  Looking back though,  I wouldn’t have changed it for the world. What an honor to be able to repay them in some small way for all of the love and care they provided me and my brother and sister as we grew up. I’m sure they too felt burdened by that at times. I’m positive they also would have done it all over again if asked about it.

No matter how tough times were,  the burdens in reality were blessings. I was blessed to have conversations with them as they aged about stories of the past, things they remembered and openly shared. I’ve seen life events through the eyes of my children and grandchildren,  but also through the eyes of my parents.  I saw their faces light up when visited by family and friends and it was much like a child’s face when they get a wished for present.  For the elderly,  our presence is better than any presents. They simply want to spend time with those they love.

Watching your parents age and decline isn’t easy, and watching them die is bittersweet. If they know Jesus, it’s only a temporary separation, which is very comforting to know, but we still miss them so much here. I was blesssed to be present and holding the hand of both my dad and my mom as they peacefully passed into the arms of Jesus 13 years apart for which I’m very grateful. I experienced the peace of God that passes all understanding as mentioned in Phillipians 4.

As hard as it is to watch a parent take their final breath and die, can you imagine how hard it had to be for God to watch His only son die? He didn’t die of old age or natural causes, or even an accident.  He was intentionally crucified on the cross, a very painful death, for you and for me! It wasn’t because He did anything wrong, it was because each and every one of us is a sinner and He died to save us. He bore our burdens in order to bless us with eternal life in Heaven with Him, if we accept Him as our Lord and Savior. Have you accepted Him yet?

The time is drawing near where we’ll all be answering that question, what will your response be? Will you acknowledge Him or deny Him? There is no middle of the road on this matter, you’re either all in or all out.

John 14:6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

I’ve seen at least 2 miracles recently that could only be possible through God. Don’t wait until it’s too late, none of us are promised another day. He wants us to spend eternity with Him, but ultimately we have to choose to believe and to surrender to Him. Choose soon, and choose wisely.

I choose Jesus, today and every day.