Author: christiangrandmabiker

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve worked on this rambling over the past month or so, it’s definitely been a work in progress.

Age is a reference point, not a limitation. All of my life I’ve heard people say, “I’m too old to do that”, or “I’m not old enough to do that.” What is the right age? The answer to that for the most part once you’re an adult is totally up to you. There are so many things I would have missed out on if I said I was not old enough or I was too old.

I learned to ride at 50 as you know if you’ve followed my ramblings from the beginning. At 55 I taught myself to pressure can, waterbath/steam can and preserve eggs like they did when there were no refrigerators. At 56 I taught myself to make a healthy fermented drink called kombucha and also to ferment vegetables for a healthier snack/meal choice. Recently I also learned to assist in the delivery of baby piglets. I have no doubt there are more new things I will be learning this coming year as well and as long as I am alive I am determined to never stop learning new things.

My rides have not happened nearly as often as I’d like lately thanks to the weather, work, and life in general but soon I hope that will change! One thing about not being able to ride as much is that it forced me to learn alternate ways to have that quiet time with Him and to refocus on the important things. You see we never truly stop learning, whether we realize it or not.

Recently one morning before the sun came up I was laying awake just listening to the sounds of nature. The birds were singing and sounded so cheerful and peaceful. The roosters were crowing and there was another rooster not far away that was answering them, like they were having a conversation amongst themselves. There was the occasional chirping toad and barking dog thrown in amongst the birds. Isn’t it amazing how every living creature has it’s own language? That didn’t just happen randomly, its all part of God’s plan and I’m thankful for the quiet times to be able to truly appreciate His creation.

I’ve experienced new life quite a bit recently and it never ceases to amaze me. From another grandchild being born to helping my momma pigs give birth and seeing baby chicks that had just hatched. We can feel so helpless at times when we can’t “fix” things but then so blessed when we can help bring a new life into the world.

I must say Kunekune piglets are amazing little creatures to watch and their relationship with their momma is in many ways like our relationship with our moms and also with Jesus. As I said earlier, you never truly stop learning no matter your age. I’ve seen puppies, goats, donkeys and cows give birth and took it for granted. I just saw it simply as a part of life. Being present and assisting with piglet birth and sadly seeing 2 that were stillborn and 1 that despite all efforts for days just didn’t survive was different.

Life is precious and shouldn’t be taken for granted for even a minute. As I have watched these babies and their mommas it’s made me realize even more just how precious it is. Their mommas are their food source but also so much more. She is also their protector and their teacher. One sow has just 1 baby and I recently saw her send him into a short flight. He was coming over to her food bowl of vegetables and she gently nudged him away, he wasn’t old enough to really eat that yet anyway. He didn’t get the point she was trying to make apparently and came right back into the feed bowl. This time she was a little more serious with her “nudge” and he took flight! When he landed he just stood there for a moment as if to say, “How did I get over here?” He learned momma meant business and did not go back to the bowl. We’re never too old to learn, but we’re not too young to learn either.

Jesus was teaching at a very young age and He is still teaching us, if we only take the time to listen. We can learn from those younger than us as well as from those older than us. EVERYONE can teach us something as we were all created for a different purpose with different gifts. If we keep our minds open, there are new learning opportunities every day.

I have previously mentioned some gardening memories from my childhood and my gardening attempts in recent years. This like everything else is trial and error and learn as you go. Just because the first attempt is not as successful as you’d have liked, doesn’t mean you quit. You instead try again making changes from what you’ve learned. You do research and see what works for others and you never give up. As I was working in this year’s garden recently talking to God I realized why gardening has become more important and more relaxing to me. It’s been my new “quiet time ” with Him and what better place for it, after all we were created in the garden. Working in the dirt, seeing new things come to life like flowers, herbs and vegetables, and learning ways to use and preserve them is amazing. I learned just today that adding freshly picked chocolate mint to a cup of black coffee tastes like you’re drinking a thin mint cookie, just not as sweet. 😀

He has provided us with so much we take for granted and yet some believe it all just happened on it’s own. I don’t know about you but I know nothing just happens on it’s own. The older I get the more I realize it. I may not be able to explain it effectively to nonbelievers, but I know it with every fiber of my being. Some things happen when we assist them along, others things happen when we don’t do anything at all. We need to ask Him constantly which path we are to follow. We choose daily, many times a day in fact, whether or not we’re willing to listen and to learn. We cannot grow if we’re not willing to learn. I may be getting older, but I’m definitely not too old to learn and do.

I was able to experience a once in a lifetime moment just last night. We were eating supper and heard a pretty loud bang on our glass door. My husband went to see what it was and a hummingbird had flown into the door and was just laying on the porch. I went out to check on it and picked it up as it didn’t seem to be able to lift itself up. I saw it’s eyes moving but it didn’t seem afraid at all or try to escape. The more I observed it, the more it appeared not to be able to move its head. I was afraid maybe it had permanently damaged its neck. I gently placed him on the stone border of my flower bed and went back inside. I feed these precious little birds and the fact I’d actually been given the opportunity to hold one was amazing. His beautiful red throat was sparkling and shiny and he was so incredibly delicate. After supper I went out to check on him and when I approached, I noticed it was on the opposite side I had laid it on. I was afraid it had passed away. To my surprise when I went to touch it this time, it got onto its stomach, its wings began to flutter slowly and soon I heard the buzzing of its wings and off he flew!! It’s an experience I will always remember. If God is able to create such a beautiful and delicate bird as that and it can withstand crashing into a glass door then later fly away, just think what he can do through us if we are open to His help!

Never give up learning or reaching out to Him and never think you can’t do something just because of your age. Maybe we can’t do what we want to or think we should, but if we are still here it’s for a reason and He will use us if we allow Him to.

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

I honestly didn’t think I’d be rambling again before Christmas but here I am, when He says ramble I follow and pray His words come through. I took a very short ride yesterday while the sun was still shining because my heart was soooo heavy and I knew a ride alone with God was the only thing that would help. There are so many mixed emotions I’m feeling and troubling stories I’ve read/heard this week that have truly touched my soul, I don’t even know where to begin.

The season of Christmas is one that most think should be joyous as we celebrate the birth of our Savior. Sadly that’s not the case for so many.

The tornadoes that recently ravaged Kentucky and other nearby states left behind such devastation and destruction in a matter of minutes. Lives were forever changed and continue to be changed. There were almost 100 lives lost including some complete families. I hope and pray they knew their Savior before they perished.

The people still living there will never be the same and they will definitely experience a Christmas unlike one they’ve ever had before. Additionally, those who have volunteered to go help in these areas will also never be the same. There are good people behind the scenes making a difference as they follow God’s lead to put their faith into works, not just words, and that is so amazing to see. There are so many ways to help even if we can’t physically volunteer and go; prayers, monetary donations and basic supplies are all needed and every little bit helps.

While listening to someone with a ministry that has been on the ground helping they said they learned of approximately 200 people in tents in a nearby park. I couldn’t help but try to picture who these people are. Are they women, children, veterans, the elderly? Where do they go from there and how? It’s freezing cold weather and they are now homeless like so many others across the country.

This season also brings such stress and feelings of desperation to others. Some don’t have loved ones nearby to spend time with, some have only sad memories of Christmases past, some have estranged family, some will be having their first Christmas without a loved one who passed this year, some who have more material things than anyone truly needs but are alone, others who simply don’t believe in Christmas at all.

Many of us feel pressures; either from others or ourselves, to have that “perfect” Christmas and beat themselves up trying to meet unrealistic expectations. I personally have often fallen into that category on more than one occasion. Even this year there were things I so wanted to include in the season that just didn’t happen for one reason or another. One of those things had to do with a project with my granddaughters and due to demands at work I just plain ran out of time. Rather than continuing to beat myself up over it, I have simply decided we will still do it, just next week instead. It will still be precious quality time and that’s what matters most in my opinion, not the date it’s done.

I also have been thinking about all those who suffer from anxiety, depression, addiction, mental health issues, abusive relationships and the list goes on. We live in a society that tends to ignore the truth that these exist or that stereotype people who fall into one or more of these categories. These conditions don’t affect just the person involved, it also affects their family, their friends and even their coworkers in some cases. Granted these are problems they experience year round but the holidays often seem to heighten the emotional impact they have. It can all be extremely overwhelming to all involved in any way. It becomes difficult to truly enjoy the season and the celebration of what it represents; the birth of the Son who came to save us all. Instead of judging or trying to “fix” them, simply try to understand and to empathize. Most do not choose to be in this situation.

Whether you believe in the meaning of Christmas or not, I pray that each and every one of us will take time to stop and reflect. This CAN be the most wonderful time of the year, if we allow it to be. That may mean putting the past behind us, forgiving someone we haven’t, reaching out to someone in need, repenting of our own shortcomings and sins, asking someone we have wronged to forgive us, and/or simply being kind to others. We never truly know what another person has experienced or is thinking but we can be kind and non judgemental and try to honestly make the most of every day. A simple compliment or smile can make a huge difference.

Peace be with you-

The way we choose to see things makes all the difference to us and also to those around us. I just opened my blog to start writing and discovered this title and the first line were started back in April and never finished! I was about to start a new title but this one still fits what I feel He wants me to share.

We are living in a world unlike anything I ever thought I’d see in my lifetime. As I’ve been riding the past few months I’ve not written a whole lot because mostly my rides have been shorter and with less deep thinking. I’ve found myself just totally absorbed in the ride. Watching the trees as the leaves gradually turn colors then fall to the ground, gardens as they change from fully producing colorful summer crops to the now producing mostly green Fall/Winter crops, and the cotton. I think watching cotton change from just simple little brown bulbs to the amazing white balls that make the fields look like they are blankets of snow is amazing. Then once they harvest, bale, and wrap it, the fields look they are now covered with gigantic marshmallows!

I am blessed and thankful to live where I get the opportunity to witness all of nature’s beauty with 4 very separate seasons. That being said, I’ve also noticed something else now that the leaves are falling off the trees. I’ve seen a few older sheds and homes that over the past several months have really started to deteriorate and collapse. It breaks my heart to see this happening. I’ve always wondered about the stories they’d tell if they could talk. I think it’s such a shame that some of these once beautiful buildings are now nothing but piles of wood and rubble. Things left unattended for too long just can’t survive.

Our own lives are very similar to those old buildings. If we don’t eat and drink properly and get adequate sleep and exercise, our bodies start to deteriorate. If we don’t focus our thoughts on positive things, that too affects not only our mental health but ultimately our physical health as well. More importantly if we don’t focus on the one who made us and allow Him into our hearts and minds, everything else is irrelevant. When He becomes the main focus, everything else falls into place. That doesn’t mean we won’t still struggle or that everything will be easy. It simply means that if we trust and follow Him and obey His word, things will be ok in the end. It may not be the way we think it should be, but His ways are always the best way.

Think about our relationships with other people. Are we grateful for example if someone washed the dishes even though maybe they didn’t put them away? Are we thankful that someone prepared food, even though maybe it’s different than how we would have done it? Do we appreciate the effort someone puts into what they do, or are we too caught up in the “my way” line of thinking?

What does God think when He tries to lead us to do something but we think we know a better way or maybe that it doesn’t need to be done at all? We are all just a bunch of sinners in need of a Savior.

As Christmas is approaching I often hear the question, “What do you want for Christmas?” For me personally there is honestly nothing materialistic that I need. My biggest “want ” for Christmas is for all of my family and friends to know Jesus before it’s too late. Not to just know who He is, but to know Him as their personal Lord and Savior and be obedient to Him; that would be the best gift of all.

I probably will not ramble again before Christmas so I want to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and my hope is that you will enjoy the holiday knowing the true meaning behind it.

Luke 2:11 – For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

What was the first thing you thought of as you read the title? When I entered the word rich in the search box, the first definition to show said having a great deal of money or assets, wealthy.

I consider myself rich, but NOT by worldly standards or by that definition! The richness I feel comes from within. I realize my ramblings are not as often as they once were but that’s not for lack of riding. They are simply because many of my rides have included thoughts and conversations with God that I to this point don’t feel lead to share. What I do want to share with you is richness.

How do you define being rich? My definition of being rich as I said is internal. I’m rich in memories, in contentedness, in meaningful relationships, and in peace thanks to Jesus. As I see others try to fill the emptiness or void they may feel with material things like houses, boats, trips, clothes, anything that brings temporary satisfaction I see more and more what true riches are and to me they cannot be purchased with money. They were already purchased, with the blood of Jesus.

Do you have a best friend and/or soulmate? Then you are rich. How about family that loves you, a roof over your head, and food on your table? Then you are rich. The more things change in this world, the more the things that truly matter stay the same. The only treasures you can take wherever you go are those that are internal. I had a recent conversation with a fellow rider/friend/Christian and as I rode this weekend these things became even more obvious to me after our conversation. I started this rambling a few times previously but didn’t feel lead to share until now. Treisha I dedicate this past weekend’s rides and this rambling to you!

I’ve realized so often while riding the past few months that being rich is also about being able to make new memories. Having been able to ride recently with my hubby, spending quality time with family, spending more time doing things I enjoy like gardening/yardwork and learning new skills have made me feel so incredibly blessed. Hearing my grandchildren call me by the names they use for me (Grandma and Nana) make my heart melt just at the sound. Whether we’re snuggling, playing ball, having tea parties or whatever else it is, those things are more valuable than gold.

You can lose all of your worldly possessions yet still be the richest person in the world if you have Jesus and good memories. Nobody can steal that from you.

As the weather is finally starting to cool down a bit the rides take on new feelings, sights, and smells. The corn fields are being harvested and the remnants are enjoyed by the birds and wildlife. Sunday I saw a beautiful red fox cross the road in front of me as well as a flock of turkeys in one of the freshly cut corn fields. The crispness of the evening air is refreshing to the body and soul as opposed to the oppressive heat of summer. Not only can I hear and see this while riding but in the early morning hours Sunday as I awoke I was able to hear the peaceful hoots of an owl as it was cool enough to sleep with the windows open as well.

Fall is almost here I hope. Soon I’ll be watching the roads for fallen leaves instead of grass clippings. The leaves in the trees will start to turn vibrant colors of red, yellow, and orange and the Fall gardens will be alive with vegetables like greens, broccoli, cabbage and brussel sprouts along with pumpkins and winter squash. I realize those that live in the city or are living in areas where they’re restricted from growing and travelling may not be able to see these things so maybe by reading what I see you can at least envision it. I am truly blessed to live in the country and that too makes me feel rich by my standards as we’re able to raise things to not only supply our needs but to share with others. Richness is not about material things, it’s about things much deeper than that. It’s about doing for others, spending time with those you love, making memories and trusting fully in Jesus. Don’t ever take those things for granted.

Matthew 6:19-20

 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.”

Well it’s that time of year again and devotions can happen in the garden as well as on the bike. The past several weeks have allowed for both scenarios thankfully!

I recently took some true time off from work and I spent quite a bit of that time in the garden. As I did some weeding, mulching and tied up tomatoes it brought back many childhood memories and led to some interesting thoughts about life. As I weeded the lettuce in particular I thought about the massive amount all in a row, and then the few seeds that sprouted away from the rest, or were relocated by the rain that came shortly after I had sowed the seeds. The temptation was there to pull the outsiders and make it easier to weed the row, but I was stopped from doing that by that still small voice. As I thought more about it, it made me relate the lettuce to people. Are we part of the crowd, or do we venture off on our own? I’m more like the outsider myself; I may look like others in some ways, but mostly I stay to myself. The more I have reflected on this, the more I think about the past 15-18 months especially. There has been an enormous amount of focus on trying to get everyone to think and act alike, as we’re being told, and not by God.

We are each called to do what God wants us to do, not necessarily what we or others want. Are we willing to stand apart, to stand up, even if it’s alone, for what we believe? Just like those lone lettuce plants, we can stand alone and stand strong and we can not only survive, but thrive and be an example for others.

As I have been weeding and then later riding and reflecting on the garden time, so many memories have been coming back. When I was young I remember gardening in a very different light. Back then I saw it as a chore and sometimes even a punishment. Pulling weeds seemed like such a waste of time as they were just going to keep coming back. Picking beans was one of the most dreaded of chores, as they never seemed to end and you had to be bent over almost standing on your head to pick them, it seemed that way at the time anyway. This is honestly the first year I recall planting beans of my own and when I ate that first one it was amazing.

Mom would blanch and then freeze the beans. I remember her also making so many pickles we thought she was going to be pickled herself before she was done.We would enjoy those pickles and beans throughout the winter and they were so good. Then there were the bushels of corn daddy brought home that we shucked for mom to also blanch and freeze. There were also tomatoes, zucchini, squash, and sometimes potatoes. Homegrown and farm fresh were the best, even though I may not have realized it at the time.

On one particular morning while I was weeding in the garden I was listening to the chickens. It was obvious the hens were hard at work laying eggs. If you’ve ever been around chickens when this happens you’ll know exactly what I’m about to say. The noise that almost immediately ensues is amazing. They announce their contribution to the world . It’s not just the successful hen that rejoices, they ALL rejoice with her. Wouldn’t it be amazing if we all rejoiced daily with others for their accomplishments, no matter how big or small? There was no jealousy or anger, no hidden agenda, just pure and simple joy. It happened again and again as the day went on and more hens added their eggs to the nests. It happens multiple times/day every day yet the reaction is always the same-a joyful noise by all.

Weeding a garden not only makes it look better, but it also helps to cut down on potentially harmful bugs and allows more nutrients to go to the vegetable plants rather than the weeds. Our lives are also full of weeds; things that may harm us, try to steal our joy, our thoughts and our time. That last one was in a recent devotion, “learn to master time, or it will be your master.” That’s really true of all things, if we don’t master the “weeds”, they can become our master.

If we are going to not only survive but thrive it’s essential to get the support we need just like the garden fruits and vegetables. Some need to get staked/tied up like tomatoes, others like cucumbers and beans need to have something to climb and wind their tendrils around, yet things like watermelon and cantaloupe need room to spread out. Items like mint and many other herbs require being planted in areas that are just for them, because they will multiply and take over the area they are planted in as they come back year after year. People are just like that, all of us are different and require different supports to flourish.

The one thing all garden items need is a beneficial source of soil for the plants to root in, without it they will die. The same is true for us, we need to be rooted in a beneficial source as well, and that source is Jesus. We will all die one day like the plants, but unlike plants, we have a choice where we end up when that time comes. Plants become compost, but we will spend eternity in heaven or hell.

We are instructed to “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6

This doesn’t mean they won’t still go through trials and make bad choices, we’ve all done that. It gives them the firm foundation to know right from wrong though and in their minds they will know God’s word and His desires for them. When they make bad choices there will be an inner voice gnawing at them. Just as we need to plant seeds for our food to grow, we need to plant seeds of faith in our children and grandchildren for them to grow. The growth may be slow and it may be weedy at times, but the seeds will be there. Never doubt that, no matter how young they are when you start. My oldest granddaughter still remembers and asks me about “the man with the cross” that she saw walking last year pulling a wooden cross as he headed through our area on his way across the country spreading God’s word. She only saw him for a moment, but it made a lasting impression.

What seeds are we sowing right now? Are they beneficial seeds or weeds? It’s never too late to start planting and weeding. Every season offers possibilities; in the garden and in life.

 Isaiah 61:11

For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.

Sunday allowed for 2 rides; the first was a long one and for that I’m very thankful. The weather was perfect, other than some wind gusts here and there, and the scenery was amazing. The delicate white flowers of the dogwoods are appearing more and more and the flowing vines of purple wisteria are becoming as fragrant as they are beautiful. The azaleas have emerged in many different colors and bring what otherwise could be dull yards to life with their simple yet elegant appearance.

I passed by what I believe were probably peach orchards that were coming to life and I saw some fields with the longest irrigation sprayers in them I’ve ever seen. After talking to my father-in law he said they are probably fields used for growing sod. I’ve never seen that done before and will have to ride by again once they’re growing as I’m sure they will be vast fields of gorgeous green. As I rode along enjoying the beautiful scenery, despite the pollen, a thought kept popping in my head and it’s a phrase I know I’ve heard over and over and have said myself on occasion, “That’s all we can do.”

Many times that phrase seems to be used in reference to praying. It seemed to me the more I thought about it, the more I realized how odd that really is. It’s almost as if we’re saying prayer was the last resort and may or may not be enough. Why do we say or think that way? Do we really think we’re more capable than God or have more to offer a situation than He does?

I know I’ve shared before how much better things turn out for me when I turn things over to Him rather than trying to fix or handle them completely by myself. The power is not in our prayer specifically, it’s in the one we are praying to. He knows our prayers before we even say them. Is prayer “all we can do?” Sometimes it may be that praying IS all He wants us to do. We may need to pray and then leave it with Him. He wants us to have total faith that when we pray He will answer and handle whatever it is. So in those cases we are simply to pray AND believe. Is prayer all he wants us to do in every situation though? Absolutely not.

Other times we need to pray; then we need to listen, to obey, and to wait and watch for the results. Sometimes those prayers lead to Him then instructing us what He also wants us to do. If we pray as a last resort and don’t truly believe what we’re praying, are we listening to see what He may want us to do or not do, say or not say?

The older I become the stronger my beliefs and convictions are and unless I feel that God is leading me to say or do something, I will not be coerced by others into something I strongly believe is against His will for me. Just because someone feels something is right for them, doesn’t mean it’s right for me and vice versa. I may still mess up on my own no doubt, being human, but it will not be from being coerced or “shamed” into doing something.

As I thought more about this, I also was thinking about how I ended up where I did on my rides. When I left for the first ride I had an idea where I might go, but within minutes my route changed and honestly it continued to change multiple times. I absolutely believe when that happens that it’s from God. Maybe He wants me to see something in particular, maybe He’s protecting me from something, or maybe it’s because a different route will produce different thoughts. I honestly don’t know the answer to that, but whatever the reason I do know the rides are never a disappointment.

On both rides I also thought about patchwork. I purposely avoided some roads that I often travel due to patchwork repairs being done on them. The roads have had some cracks or small holes in them and instead of redoing the area, they decided to do patches. These patches range in size and I’ve learned that at least on a motorcycle, the patchwork is worse than the road flaws were. It made me wonder why they don’t just fix it right to begin with because from past experience these patches will also soon fail and repairs will again be needed. Don’t we sometimes do the same thing in our own lives though? We know we should fix/change certain things, yet we sometimes may do just enough to get by hoping it works or do a temporary fix, then later have to do it again. It may be a physical repair or it may be an emotional or relationship repair. How many times have you heard, “If it’s worth doing, do it right”? This holds true with house, yard, and farm repairs but it’s also true with our thoughts, our relationships, our jobs, and most certainly our relationship with God. Do we need to do just enough to “get by” or do we need to do more? We need to do what He calls us to do the way He expects us to do it.

Colossians 3:23

“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.”

The same is true with prayer. We need to pray heartily, from the heart, believing that He will answer our prayers. If we don’t truly believe in our hearts that He will answer our prayers will we even know the answer when we receive it? Sometimes the answer may be no or not yet. Just because it’s not the answer we may be looking for, doesn’t mean it’s not answered. We need to pray unto the Lord that His will be done, not ours, they aren’t always the same. He promises to answer our prayers, but that doesn’t mean we will receive every wish we have if it’s not His will. A prayer and a wish are 2 different things. A wish is simply something we want or desire. A prayer is open communication with God and involves a sender (us) and a receiver (God). A prayer is part of a relationship with Him. If we don’t truly have a relationship with Him, why should He even listen to our prayers? He’s not a genie, He is our creator, our savior, and our sustainer and He wants a relationship with us.

In reality the most important “all we can do” statement is to accept Him as our Savior then put our faith, trust, and life in His hands.

Everybody has bad days right? How about bad weeks? I think at some point it happens to all of us. Some may even feel like it’s more like months or years. I recently had what I considered to definitely be a bad week. As I rode the past 2 days I found myself reflecting on it all and I have to tell you I didn’t handle it as well as I should have or could have. I allowed myself to get caught up in the wrong mindset and focused on the bad,  rather than on Him. I had unhealthy thoughts more than once and even said some words which I had to later ask forgiveness for. I felt stressed, overwhelmed, mentally exhausted and just plain angry.
As I rode along on the first of these 2 rides,  I’d left in such a hurry to try to escape myself and regain some sense of peace, that I failed to properly put my hair up. Any of you that ride and have longer hair probably can relate to what I felt while I was cruising along. The hair that was flying loosely was slapping me in the face. That stinging feeling can not be explained to someone who hasn’t felt it but I assure you it’s not a pleasant experience. At one point I considered pulling over to fix it but then I decided to just keep rolling down the highway.
I realized after a while that it was appropriate I was being “slapped”. It was a wake up call to get it together. I needed to go to my Father not only to ask for forgiveness,  but to allow Him to do His work in me. I had been trying to handle all of the “wrongs ” that were happening on my own and it wasn’t until I gave it all to Him that it got better. Don’t get me wrong,  those things that happened still had to be dealt with and paid for, but He provided.
Sometimes He is simply waiting for us to ask for His help and to purposely choose Him.
He is always there as not only our Heavenly Father and Savior,  but also our friend. He is someone we can always turn to and who never truly leaves our side,  even though we don’t deserve His unconditional love and we sometimes leave His side.
Have you ever had a true friend,  one that you can go for weeks, months, maybe even years and have minimal contact with but then when you do get together it’s as if you were never apart? I’ve recently had a reconnection with someone like that.  When our kids were little we were very close and were always there for each other. Then our kids grew older and we headed in different directions. We stayed in touch of course periodically and still were there for each other, but it was not the same as it had been. I’ve never been one to trust many people or like being around a bunch of people. If I make what I consider to be a true friend,  it’s forever, even if it’s sometimes not as prominent as at other times. I’m glad we have reconnected as we are starting a new venture together and it feels just like I previously mentioned, as if we’ve picked up right where we left off.
Isn’t it sometimes the same with our relationship with Jesus? There may be times in our lives when we feel very close to Him, and other times when we may not. Is that because He has moved or changed? Absolutely not, it’s because we have . No matter how far we may stray, what we may say or do wrong,  or how long it takes us to return to Him, He is still there waiting for us to welcome Him back .
I saw a post today that was a little mouse taking a bubble bath and it said stress comes from trying to handle it all on our own, peace comes from putting it all in God’s hands. That is so true!
As I finish writing this I need to share some words from a song that was just playing by Matt Maher called, Run to the Father.
I fall into grace
I’m done with the hiding
No reason to wait
And my heart found a surgeon
My soul found a friend
So I’ll run to the Father
Again and again
And again and again

Aren’t you glad we can always run to the Father? I sure am.

Whew what a year it’s been! Any of you that have read my ramblings from last winter know that I struggle to ride this time of year, not due to the cold, but due to the mud. I can bundle up if needed in order to ride, but sometimes I just can’t get my bike out safely due to the mud situation around here in the winter. That being said, I did finally get out to ride recently, thank you Lord! I had taken a couple of short rides within the last month or so but these latest rides were more of what I call real rides, with some soul searching and inspiration and much more time enjoying His beauty than I’d expected or planned. Yes even in the dead of winter and mud there IS beauty around us. Sometimes once I get going I have a hard time stopping and these latest rides were like that!

To say I’ve learned quite a bit this past year would be an understatement. I’ve learned to do new things, appreciated more of the “little things”, done some disconnecting and some reconnecting. There have been moments of heart ache and joy, challenges and victories, and God has been there through it all. I am sure of that, because I could not have gotten through it to this point any other way.

I was reminded while riding about some thoughts I’ve had recently on different occasions while working in the house. Thanks to all of the rainy days preventing outside work, I thought about the saying to “get your house in order.” I’ve cleaned, reorganized, sorted, and reminisced. I’ve also reflected on the fact that we need to have our spiritual house in order, not just our physical one.

Isaiah 38:1

In those days Hezekiah was sick and near death. And Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, went to him and said to him, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live.’ “

Every generation has felt like there were signs of the end times occurring and here we are again in that conversation. I’m sure we can all see signs and we all have our own “theories.” The fact remains that only God knows when that time will come.

Matthew 24:36

But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.

Don’t let anyone ever tell you they know when it will be. He has made it clear that only He knows that answer. Regardless of when that time comes, we need to simply be ready. So many times I hear about and see people who think they have plenty of time to prepare later, then the unexpected happens and they’re gone. Were they truly ready? Sadly I’m afraid some were not. How can we know we’re ready? The only way is by filling that “emptiness ” with Him. Jesus is the only way to have peace and joy and most importantly to get to heaven.

Too often I’ve known of those who say, “When I get ____ or once I do ____ or once I can go _____ then I’ll be happy. The fact remains that whatever you use to fill in that _____ will not fill the hole you feel. What you’re missing is not a place, a thing, or another person. We all have a place inside that can ONLY be filled by our Savior. We can try every way under the sun to fill that space, but unless we fill it with Jesus there will never be peace and contentment in our lives.

If our physical house is not in order it tends to bother most of us, but our spiritual house being out of order should bother us much more and be more pressing for us to get right. This is something we all must do for ourselves. We can pray for others that they will get right with God but we cannot do it for them, nor can they do it for us. We can attempt to tell and show them the way, but ultimately it’s a personal decision between each of us and God. I know how much I hurt when I see a loved one turn from God, so I can only imagine how much more it must hurt God. After all, He sent His one and only son to die for us, so that we could have everlasting life. John 3:16

I prefer to have my spiritual home in order first and my physical home second. If I die with unclean dishes there is still hope for them because someone else will wash them. If I die with an unclean spirit and heart, there is no hope for me.

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.

Today and every day! You never truly know what others may be going through that they don’t show or share. As many gather with family/friends, others are alone. As some are shopping for gifts, others are wondering where they will get their next meal. As some are celebrating a baby’s first Christmas, others are struggling to know another year is passing without the baby they long to have. While some couples are celebrating their first Christmas as husband and wife, so many other marriages are under attack. As businesses, families, and nations struggle and become more and more divided there is still one single story that can overcome all of this. It’s the story of a little baby that came into this world to save it. Do you know Him, I mean truly know Him?! His name is Jesus and He is the Saviour of the world. He was born in a lowly manger to save you and me and everyone who is willing to accept Him as their personal Lord and Saviour. If you ever truly want to know joy, peace, and unconditional love, all you need to do is come to Him. He is the reason for the season!!I pray that if you haven’t already accepted Him into your heart, you will, before it’s too late. None of us is guaranteed another breath, don’t wait. Merry Christmas to all!!