Ramblings of a Christian Grandma Biker

This has been an interesting week and there’s been some good weather for riding. I am very thankful for that. I’ve been blessed to ride alone, with my hubby, and also rode for the first time with hubby and my sister-in-law and brother-in-law. This was the first time for me riding with 3 bikes and it was fun. Most of my rides are solo but it was nice to ride with others.

As I rode I thought about how just one person truly can make a difference. Billy Graham passed away this week and even in death he’s making a difference. He is known world wide and it’s amazing to me how many people he touched, including myself. I remember growing up listening to him and was actually blessed to be able to go to hear him in person once in Charlotte and also went to the Billy Graham Library. He was just one man, but he was a humble giving man with a simple message for the world, we need Jesus. He said, “God loves you, and He can make a difference in your life if you will let Him.”

John 3:16 and “the Bible says” was heard by literally millions of people around the world. I saw pictures of the motorcade route as they carried him from Asheville to Charlotte and there were thousands of people lining the streets along the way to pay their respects to this man of God.

So often we say and/or hear others say, I’m just one person, it won’t make a difference. Billy Graham is proof that’s just not true. Can you imagine how different the world would be if we all had the mindset he had? If we were all so humble and giving and kind to one another? Can you imagine how many people might still be lost, if he hadn’t answered the call and chosen to follow Jesus and tell others about Him?

I’m sure we’ve all heard of situations where just one person made a poor choice and hurt other people which rippled down hurting their families as well. One leader who taught hatred, one criminal who killed or raped someone, one person who took their own life, one person who abused a child, and the list goes on. One person does make a difference, we just have to choose what kind of difference we want to make.

Jesus was one man, He made the ultimate sacrifice for us all. As Billy Graham repeated over and over, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Again, one person made an amazing difference for me and for you and for anyone willing to accept Him as their personal savior.

We all have the ability to make a difference in the lives of our families and with those we come in contact with daily. We do make a difference whether we realize it or not with everything we say and everything we do. It’s up to each of us to decide what that difference will be. I’m sure my hubby had no idea the first time he gave me a ride on the back of a motorcycle over 10 years ago that we’d later be married and he would teach me to ride my own bike. He made a difference, and for that I’m grateful.

What difference can we all make this year, this week, today? We each make that choice daily and must choose wisely; our friends, families, country, and world can be different based on it. We’ve seen the proof. We may say one kind word that just one person needs to hear and not even know it, but it too can make all the difference. One small gesture can affect many. We may never see the results, but they are there.

Every day is a fresh start and we can choose to make it better than yesterday. We may not be able to control the things happening around us, but we can control how we react to them. Sometimes not reacting or saying anything at all, is the best response and it too can make a huge difference.

I don’t know about you, but I want to try to make this place a better world, even if for only one person. We can’t all reach millions, but we can reach one, which in turn reaches others.

Let me start by saying it’s been an amazing few days! I took a few days off from work and it’s been wonderful. I’ve actually been able to ride 3 days in a row, no rain! That’s great for February in NC!

One day was my birthday and I’ll tell you so far 53 feels great! I rode a long time that day after going to lunch with my hubby and getting my new patch sewn on my vest.

I must say this was the BEST ride I’ve taken in a long time. The weather was fantastic and there was such a sense of peace while I rode. It was totally relaxing and tranquil and I didn’t want to stop.

The last 3 rides have all lead to the same thoughts so I take that as a sign I’m supposed to share it. Have you ever been in contact with people who just never seem to be happy, or who always have negative things to say about others, or act like they’re you’re “best friend ” and then as soon as something doesn’t go their way it’s all your fault or someone else’s? I can say I’ve experienced this many times in my 53 years and the same truth holds true every time. Their behavior and thoughts are usually not really about you, they’re about themselves. They simply want someone else to blame so they don’t have to be held accountable for their actions and decisions. I’m sure we all have that one family member, close friend, or acquaintenance who this may relate to. I’m sure at one time or another we’ve all been guilty of doing this ourselves, I know I have.

I’ve come to realize over time that as long as I feel at peace that I’ve done and said everything I could to assist in any given situation, that’s all I can do.

As I was looking through my dirty windshield riding down the road it reminded me that we can focus on the dirt and gunk in our lives, or we can focus on what’s ahead and where we want to go from here.

If I looked at the water spots and dirt on my windshield, I couldn’t see the road ahead of me. But if I looked past all that mess and instead looked at the road ahead, it was smooth sailing. If I had looked at the windshield, I would not have seen the holes in the road ahead that could have made for a dangerous ride. Looking ahead instead allowed me to see those dangers and avoid them.

Life is the same way, if we focus on the dirt and gunk, we can miss out on the blessings He has in store for us. I’ve thought quite a bit about a “bucket list”, especially since my father in law’s cancer diagnosis.

I am at a point in my life where my bucket list consists of things I’d like to do and there are really no materialistic things on it. I know some people have things they’d like to buy and enjoy before they die, but I simply have things I want to do and places I want to see. Having grown up in a log cabin my daddy built, I’d like to live in one again, but if I never live anywhere besides the home we currently have that’s ok too.

I may never achieve anything on my bucket list, but I have it, and if I can cross off even one item, it will have been worth taking the time to think about it and make it. So many people live day to day with no dreams. I figure if I don’t dream at all I’m just existing, and I want to do more than exist.

I am going to try hard to live each day going forward to its fullest if I can. We never know when today may be our last day. None of us is promised tomorrow. I’ve obviously got more years behind me than I have left in front of me and I am choosing to experience life going forward, not just get through it.

Rain? Sunny days are coming, look for a rainbow.

Wind? It will help dry the rain and can cool you when it’s hot.

Sun? Time to enjoy the outdoors. It may get very hot but this too shall pass.

Clouds? They keep you from the scorching sun.

For every negative, there is always a positive if you choose to see it. Do I always see the positive? Nope, I’m human. I do promise myself to try harder to be more focused on the positive though, regardless of my circumstances or of others. So many people in life try to bring us down and only we have the power to allow it or deny it. What will you choose today, tomorrow, next week?

John 16:33
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Cherish your yesterdays, dream your tomorrows and live your todays. ~ Anonymous

Time to ride again and LIVE!

Today I was thankful for no rain finally. I know there are many places that need rain right now, but our yard is saturated. I wanted to ride yesterday,  but it was too muddy to get the bike safely out of my building and to the driveway. Today I was determined it was going to happen. I got it out OK and slid around a bit getting to the driveway,  but by the grace of God I was finally able to ride. Tomorrow it will be raining again, so that’s why I truly felt I  had to go today. I’ve learned that I’m much more focused on the positives while I ride and mentally I needed that time.

As I’ve mentioned before, it’s my alone time with God and no immediate demands other than a connection with Him. There was a day quite some time ago when I had ridden for quite a long ride compared to what I had been doing.  When I got back I told my hubby I felt guilty being gone so long. He told me I should never feel guilty when I ride. For the longest time after that, I never felt guilty about it and totally was absorbed in the ride.

More often than not lately , I find I’m feeling guilty again when I ride,  about taking that time for me, and I don’t like that feeling at all. Today I did not feel guilt, but thankfulness.  When I got out on the road it was just God, the bike, and me. I immediately found myself talking to Him and thanking him for so many things that other days I seem to take for granted. It made me realize too that the guilty feeling is not from Him, but from Satan.

Every ride starts with a prayer for safety and then our “conversation ” begins. Sometimes He gives me these thoughts to share with you,  other times He doesn’t. There has been so much going on the past few months and with the weather not always being acceptable for riding, I know I haven’t always handled things as I should have. I realized when riding today just how much I depend on the ride time in order to stay more balanced and more focused. It’s amazing to me how something like riding can have that impact. I’ve tried to have that alone time even when I can’t ride but it’s just not the same . There are distractions that always seem to creep in; people, technology, my puppy, and the list goes on and on.

One thing became very clear today and that is if we ever move, it will be to a place where I can ride more, not less. I have never been so ready for Spring! I’ve always been an outside person and this wet weather that doesn’t allow for riding or gardening is becoming overwhelming . Even as a child it was all about outside activities,  unlike most of today’s kids. It was all about playing outside , hunting , fishing , hiking , canoeing , climbing trees, and riding my bicycle. In the winters having grown up in New England it was still about being outside; snowshoeing, sledding , ice skating , snow mobiling, and building snow forts. God’s great outdoors is where I’m most content.

As for the things I thought about today that I’m thankful for. I’m thankful for a job where I’m not stuck inside all day. I’m thankful that my husband has been able to spend quality time with his dad the past several months. That has truly been a blessing for me to see, having lost my own dad a few years ago. I know in my heart that it’s only because of God that this has been possible for many reasons. I’m thankful that my mom is doing so well at 80 years young. I’m thankful for our beautiful granddaughter and seeing my “baby boy” and daughter in law raising her with so much love and about to give us another granddaughter. I’m thankful my oldest son is happy and in love with a great young lady. The list could go on and on.

I’m super thankful for my husband who has taught me so many things about myself and of course how to ride. If he hadn’t taught me to ride , you wouldn’t be reading this right now. All of these ramblings wouldn’t exist without riding. (So you can thank him that I ramble to y’all. 😉)

I guess if you’ve been reading these all along you also know that I’m thankful for God who sent His son to die for us so we could live with Him in eternity,  if we choose to do so by accepting Him as our Savior .

He has been with me for almost 53 years now and has never failed me. I have failed Him many times since I came to accept Him 36 1/2 years ago, but He’s always there waiting for me to repent and learn to do better. Some lessons I learn quicker than others,  but He never gives up on me, even when I give up on myself.  For that I’m truly thankful. I know that no matter what life may throw at me, He will never leave me. That is so much more than what I or any of us deserve.

1 Chronicles 28:20

“Be strong and of good courage, and do it; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord God—my God—will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you Lord for a warm sunny day after our past week with snow then ice! It was in the 60’s today so you know this grandma went riding, not just once but twice. The ground was a bit soggy and slick getting the bike out of my building,  but once on the road it was smooth sailing, I mean riding. It felt like forever since I’d ridden and yet it was just like it was yesterday too, it’s hard to explain.

It was definitely some much needed wind therapy. I turned on my location tracker so that my hubby could see where I was if he wanted or needed to and I was off to wherever the roads took me. After riding about 45 minutes on my first ride,  I turned and headed towards home. As I was travelling back I wondered how my ride appeared to my hubby if he was watching it then all of a sudden I realized I’d messed up. I had turned on the location tracker but couldn’t remember if I turned on my mobile data.  This meant as soon as I was out of Wi-Fi range with our computer,  my signal to my hubby was lost if I hadn’t turned on the data. So much for the feeling of comfort I had been experiencing knowing he could see me. 😥

The more I thought about it, the more God spoke to me through it. He always knows where I am and I always know where He is if I need Him. Simply knowing where He is doesn’t do me any good though if my “data connection” isn’t turned on. In order to be connected with Him, I need to have the line of communication open. I need my mental data tuned in and turned on. My signal can’t reach my hubby without the data turned on and God can’t reach me if I am not tuned in to Him either. He is always there, but will not force Himself on us. He gives us the choice, we have free will. We can either accept Him or reject Him. Personally I choose to accept Him. I couldn’t get through a single day in this crazy and sad world we live in without Him. On my 2nd ride today, I made sure my location and my data were turned on! I always want to be able to be found by God AND my hubby. 😀 I’ve been lost before in my life and don’t ever want to be again, spiritually or physically.

Joshua 24:15

“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

John 14:6

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Well it’s been a bit since I’ve been able to ride sadly. Between temperatures in the single digits,  a nasty cold,  and now snow here in the South, it hasn’t really been a good option. I’ve been guilty of wanting this cold weather to just go away but I must admit as I sit here watching the snow fall, I’m once again reminded that it’s all in His timing.  Although I would love to be riding,  the lightly falling snow is so peaceful looking. It looks soft and pure, gentle and delicate,  yet majestic as it sticks to the tree branches. It has an elegant beauty like nothing else when it’s freshly fallen. I can’t help but feel relaxed watching it come down.

They say there are no 2 snowflakes exactly the same,  just as there are no 2 people exactly the same.  It makes me think of other ways that people and snow are similar.  Sounds kind of odd as I write it but it’s true. We start out as babies like the snowflakes.  We’re all different and we’re beautiful to those who simply watch us.

As we get older, we develop into more complex people and may become less “attractive ” to others based on our individuality.  We can still be beautiful people on the inside,  but it’s all about how others perceive us. Life can throw us things that may harden us or make us seem “rough “. The snow is the same really. It’s beautiful when it’s falling and new,  but then over time it can become dirty and not so majestic looking.  Life happens and things change the snow just like it changes us. The difference is that the snow has no choice what happens to it or how it reacts. We do have choices,  and we choose how we will react to what life throws us.

We can choose to continue to try to be beautiful and unique like freshly fallen snow,  or we can allow things to make us not so attractive like dirty snow. I’m not talking about our outward appearance so much as who we are on the inside.  We can be productive like snow used to make snow cream or sugar on snow, or we can be all washed up like the snow that’s flung on the side of the road as trucks and cars pass by.

I want to allow Him to make me more like freshly fallen snow, but only with His help is this possible.  It reminds me of the lyrics to a song I’ve heard so many times;

Cause Jesus paid it all
All to him I owe
Sin had left a crimson stain, he washed it white as snow.

 

Thank you Lord for sending the beautiful snow, to make me slow down and refocus even without being able to ride.

After having crazy cold temperatures down into the single digits this past week or more, we finally got a break today! That meant time to see if my bike would crank and if so it was time to ride. I was almost afraid to try,  but it started right up like I’d been riding it every day.

I got that new pair of gloves I mentioned needing but didn’t have to wear those today. I also mentioned recently that my husband and I thought we’d found a way on our phones that he could see where I am when I ride. We tried that out today and he said it worked.

As I was riding I wondered if it was working or not and was really hoping it was. There’s comfort in knowing that he can see my location in case he ever needs it. I pray he never will, but am thankful to now know he has that ability. Now I can continue to ride with no destination in mind and have even more peace of mind.

As I thought about my hubby being able to know my location,  I was thinking about how God always knows where we are, no GPS needed. He sees everywhere we go, knows everything we do, and even what we think.  He doesn’t need an app or Wi-Fi or a data package. He has full access full time. He’s not affected by poor weather conditions or a weak signal. There may be times when we want to hide from others,  but there’s no hiding from Him. In order for my hubby to see my location we both have to turn the proper things on. God doesn’t require us to allow Him access,  he has it. For that I am also grateful.  I know I can talk to Him any time I need to and He’s there,  so why shouldn’t He have full access to us at all times.

What could GPS mean to those of us who follow Him? God’s Positioning System, God’s Plan of Salvation, God’s Plan for Sharing, God’s Protection System, God’s Powerful Standard, God’s Perfect Sight, God’s Pretty Special, and I’m sure you can think of other acronyms as well.

So many times in my life, I’ve had no real idea where I was going, not necessarily location related, but more in regards to decisions I’ve needed to make.  All of my choices were not the right ones, but even when they weren’t,  God never deserted me. He got me back in the right direction once I listened,  just like GPS will get us back where we need to go if we turn it on and use it.

It may seem at first like we are headed the wrong way,  but as long as we follow Him it will be the right way. That doesn’t mean it will make sense to us or others  along the way,  but He will get us where we need to go if we just trust in Him. We often can only see things the worldly way,  but He sees the eternal way. Ultimately being with Him is the goal,  everything else along the way is just a part of the passage.

Have you ever not known where you were going and refused again and again to ask directions? How differently would your trip have been if you had  asked for directions? Our lives are the same way. We can easily become lost or in the wrong place,  physically and/or mentally, if we don’t ask for His guidance.  I’ve been lost much less since I’ve learned to trust Him more. I still get side tracked from time to time I assure you, but never feel the need to hide or feel like I can’t ask His direction.

One of my favorite scriptures is below and I may have shared it before but I’m going to share it again along with another.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.

John 13:7

Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

Well the temperatures have surely dropped here in NC since Christmas but the sun was shining so I had to go for a ride. I’ll admit it was not as long a ride as I usually take,  but it was still refreshing and good for the mind and soul.

I got on my layers of clothes and unlike most rides,  I had a specific route in mind and let my hubby know exactly what it was, for safety and peace of mind. We’ve since played with a way for us to be able to see where each other is on our phones so maybe we’ll try that next time I ride and see how it works. I normally just head out to ride with no particular route in mind and often change my mind as I ride. This would allow him to know where I am in case of an emergency.

Anyway, back to the ride. I wore my full face helmet today and several layers of clothes. I stayed warm except for my finger tips. I definitely will be investing in a better pair of gloves for winter riding soon.  That was the only part of me that got cold, there’s no way to layer those for warmth with the gloves I currently have.

As I rode and my fingers slowly started to feel the cold, I couldn’t help but think about those who are homeless.  How do they stay warm? If they get cold, how do they then warm up? In my mind I then pictured people standing around a barrel that had papers and other items in it burning while the homeless were rubbing their hands over the barrel to warm them.  I’m sure this works well to warm the hands but what about the rest of their body and what about when they have to move away from the barrel to sleep or eat?

It saddens me to think of people living this way. I know it’s a choice for some to live this way,  but often it’s because of poor choices or bad luck or any number of reasons that people end up this way. I know my nephew that passed away from cancer at too early an age had a fear when he was younger of dying alone in a situation like this.  I’m not sure why he felt that fear because he had a family that loved him and we never would have allowed that to happen, but it was a fear he had just the same.

Sadly, there are women and children and veterans included in the homeless population. Too often when people think of this population it’s assumed that it’s mostly men and that they’re getting what they deserve because of the choices they’ve made.  Nobody deserves to live that way in my opinion.  We’ve all made mistakes along the way,  does that mean we deserve it too?

I will admit I have passed by people standing or sitting on street corners with signs on cardboard asking for money. Unfortunately it’s become hard to tell if someone is asking because they are truly in need, or if they are trying to scam others.  I guess what it comes down to is doing what feels right to each of us.  As long as we do it with the right motives and mind set, that’s all we can do. I’ve read about those who have made “goodie bags” with some basics in it like snacks, toiletries, maybe a gift card like to a fast food place so it’s only used for food, etc. and when they see someone asking for help they pass those out instead of cash. Whatever we can each do to help is a start.

If you watch much TV at all you see ads begging for money to be sent to 3rd world countries and to animal shelters,  but you don’t see them reaching out to our veterans and women and children or entire families living in the streets.  I agree we need to help all in need that we can, but it seems we often turn away from  those near home that need our help. Maybe it’s politics, maybe it’s denial that it occurs in our own neighborhoods,  maybe it’s other reasons. Whatever the reason,  I pray it will change.  Nobody deserves to go to sleep cold and  hungry in a country as wealthy as ours.

Matthew 25: 40-45

⁴⁰ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

⁴¹ “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: ⁴² for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; ⁴³ I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’

⁴⁴ “Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ ⁴⁵ Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’

 

 

 

 

As Christmas approaches I’ve thought quite a bit about how much people procrastinate as I’ve been riding.  We have all year to plan and yet on Dec 24th many will be hustling around trying to get those final gifts purchased.       It’s not just at Christmas when we procrastinate.  I can remember when I was in school, the teachers would give us a big assignment and plenty of time to get it done, yet I would find myself cramming and burning the midnight oil trying to get it done on time.

Why do we wait? Why do we add that extra stress to our lives by not starting on things immediately and working on it gradually until it’s complete? I’ve thought about this on the past several rides and I know the answers are different for different people. For me, I guess it’s that most times I work better under pressure.  I actually focus more once it’s “down to the wire ” and has to be done. I need to know ahead so I can process it in my mind, then when it’s time I just get it done, whatever it takes.

Sometimes when we put things off, it may actually be because God is wanting us to wait and is leading us not to make that decision or say what we’re thinking right now.  He has a better plan and it requires us to wait. I’ve mentioned briefly in past ramblings that my hubby made a change lately that I’m very proud of him for doing. I’ve wanted this change for longer than you can imagine,  but it happened in God’s time.  As always His timing is best.  By the change happening when it did, we have been able to spend time together since before Thanksgiving and we will be able to continue to do so right through the New Year. Had he not waited until the “right time”, this would not have  been the case. Now because he waited, we’ve had family time, picked out and decorated our tree together, been able to drive around at night to see the Christmas light displays that others have put up, and gone Christmas shopping together.  We have had quality and quantity time that we’ve not had for the past 6 + years and it’s been amazing.  Our kids are grown now and we are anticipating our granddaughter’s first Christmas. We may not see her on Christmas day due to a virus she now has, but in God’s time we will get to see her open her gifts.  We were able to see her look at the tree and the little village under it last week. It’s a village my son, her dad, has been purchasing for me over the years. It was so sweet to see her interest and curiosity in it at just 9 months old.

Everything is new and exciting to a child.  Why do we often lose that excitement as adults? It seems to be the same way with our Christian walk. When we are first saved,  we are excited,  like sponges absorbing everything we can about our Savior. Then over the years we seem to sometimes lose that excitement.  As I thought about this I also realized this is one of those decisions we can only put off so long,  then it’s too late. We can say we believe in God and we believe that Jesus was born, died and rose again. Even Satan believes in Him though. That’s why he tries so hard to plant seeds of doubt and to tempt us. It’s not enough to believe in Him. We must accept Him as our Savior and live for Him. While Christmas celebrates His birth,  don’t forget it’s just the beginning of the story.

Psalm 18:2 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

 

 

Several of my recent rides have simply been rides to clear my mind and there were no revelations of anything I needed to write about.  Yesterday started out the same way but the longer I rode, the more my mind wandered and this time it lead to another rambling by this grandma. I didn’t write when I got home but it’s now 1am and I can’t sleep so I write.

I started the day water proofing/staining a project my hubby recently finished. Once I got the first coat completed, the directions said to wait at least 2 hours, but not more than 4 hours, to apply the 2nd coat. What was I to do in that time? Ride of course 😀

It was one of those days where the longer I rode, the more I didn’t want to stop.  It was one of the longest rides I’ve taken recently. (My hubby was probably thinking I got lost. ) The weather was sunny but cool and there was a little wind but nothing that was too bad. It was simply a great day to ride, with proper layers for warmth.

The past 2 days were filled spending time with both of our families and plenty of food as we celebrated Thanksgiving. The ride started out with thoughts of that time together and of my beautiful little granddaughter and her first Thanksgiving.

After a while I started noticing the trees, the snow white cotton all baled and wrapped in bright yellow plastic,  and the rolling hillside with all the colors of Fall still apparent. I noticed there were evergreens as well as the many different other trees. There were some that had lost all their leaves while there were others that were still yellow, brown, orange and many different shades of red. Some were light red and others looked bright like they were on fire. Others looked like blood and some were a burnt orange color. There were also some green shrubs with pink flowers. Every tree had it’s own unique appearance and each had it’s own story as to what it could be used for.

We are like those trees. Some of us are like evergreens;  always visibly full of life and constant.  Others of us are like the colorful trees; full of cheer and trying to brighten the lives of others. Then there are those of us who are like the trees that have lost all their leaves. They are dormant,  waiting for Spring to arrive when they will come back to life visibly.  When we’re in the dormant stage,  we can feel as though there’s no purpose and we are just always waiting on things to change so we can feel alive again. This can be a time for inner growth and a time to reflect on things we may want to change.

I also noticed as I rode over bridges and along the river,  how the water sparkled as the sun hit it. The water and sun are basically the same year round,  yet how we view the water can depend on the weather.  If it’s hot out the water can look refreshing to jump into. If it’s cold out,  that same water looks like it would be potentially life threatening if we were to jump in. The situations we find ourselves in can be viewed the same way.  How we interpret what we think and see is based on where we are on this journey called life.

I also noticed the houses while I was riding.  There were some that were old and run down, some that were very large and “showy “, others that were very simple and small. Some had paved driveways, others had dirt or concrete.  Some had stone or brick pillars at the entrance of the driveway and some even had gates made of wood or wrought iron.  One even had a black metal gate that was shaped like a tree with a stone pillar on either side holding it up. All of the houses,  like the trees, have their own story to tell.

We are also like the houses.  On the outside they are simply buildings we live in. They become our homes,  based on what’s on the inside.  No matter how beautiful they may or may not look on the outside,  without love on the inside they’re just structures. We can look many different ways on the outside too, but without love on the inside,  we’re just bodies.  We can be short, tall, skinny, fat or anywhere in between.  This does not make us who we are. We are often judged by how we look, but it’s what’s on the inside that matters most.  The majority of you reading my ramblings have no idea what I look like.  If you’re forming an opinion of me, it’s by what you’re reading that comes from my heart.  If you were to know what I look like, you might read this differently based on what you think I might be like because of my appearance.  We often judge others based on appearances and don’t give people a fair chance because of our preconceived perceptions.

How many of you have experienced people who think negative thoughts simply because you’re a biker,  or because you have a tatoo or a birthmark or any other number of differences. I know having read posts by some of you on Facebook,  you feel you’re judged because you’re a woman who has decided to ride her own bike, not on the back with your friend or spouse.  Appearances are not who we are. What and how we ride is not who we are. Our minds and hearts make us who we are. Just like the trees, we all have a different purpose in life. Just like the houses, who we are on the inside determines how useful our “outer structure ” is. How we choose to live and treat others is who we are.

We can choose to be like the evergreens; visibly full of life all the time, or we can choose to be like the rundown houses; just waiting for the final days to come.

I recently came across a quote I want to share:

“I choose to live by choice, not by chance; to make changes, not excuses; to be motivated, not manipulated; to be useful, not used; to excel, not to compete. I choose self-esteem, not self-pity. I choose to listen to my inner voice, not the random opinion of others. I choose to be me.”

To that I’ll add that I know nothing is impossible. We can do and be whatever we set our minds to.

Philippians 4:13

 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.