Ramblings of a Christian Grandma Biker

Vacation is nearing an end, which means back to work tomorrow and less time to ride. This is the first time I have felt like I would love another week of vacation before going back to work. Don’t get me wrong, I love what I do, I’ve just never felt so relaxed on a vacation as I have this time. I know riding has played a major role in that. I have had a lot of alone with God time riding this week which was just what the Dr. ordered-better than any medicine known to man in my opinion. For the first time I can remember, I have not even checked my work email once!

That being said I have had experienced a lot of other “firsts” this week as well that were challenging. Having succeeded in all of them was a very good feeling though, definitely one of accomplishment. As you know if you’ve read my other blogs, I had to ride in rain and wind which was not fun. I also rode through the shopping mall area of town with all the traffic lights and it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. I didn’t stop to shop, I hate shopping actually, just was one of those things I made myself do for the experience. When my hubby and I were on our way back from the ride we both got caught in the rain on, he came through the center of town. This town is actually on a hill so to speak. That meant having to stop and start at stop lights, on an incline. I made it through those as well without rolling backwards, or stalling the engine. I was pretty proud of myself. Today was another first and honestly if I never have to repeat that experience, I will be a happy camper. I happened upon a road under construction and there was no way once I got to it to avoid it. Had there been signs ahead of time warning of it, I could have taken another road. There were no signs unfortunately. The road is in the process of being repaved. What that means is, the lane I was in had been stripped down and had all of those lovely grooves in the road, the ones that look like someone took a huge fork and ran it down the whole road, you get the idea. The middle turning lane had been repaved with several layers, so it was about 2-3″ higher than the lane I was in. That meant no left turning was going to happen for me. The lane going the other way had been repaved, but not as high as the center. This road currently has 3 levels, insane if you are on a motorcycle.

Have  you ever seen a video of an intoxicated person trying to walk a straight line? I imagine that’s about what the motorcycle and I looked like trying to navigate this torn up lane of highway. I was never so happy to get on smooth pavement in my life. I would take rain, wind and gravel over that experience again. The grooves were killers, thankfully the road was dry. I don’t even want to think about how much worse it would be wet.

Other than that stretch of road, riding the past couple of days has been awesome. I saw streams and rivers that reminded me of when my brother and I would go fishing and canoeing together. I saw a log cabin along the way , which reminded me of my childhood home. I grew up in a log cabin my daddy built. I saw plenty of cornfields and could smell the corn. That brings back memories of hunting with my daddy. We would go coon hunting at night in the corn fields. We also went deer and bear hunting, but the coon hunting was different. It of course was dark and so I had to stay close to him. I remember the carbide light he wore on his head to light the way so as to leave his hands free for shooting and leading the coon dogs. I can remember the smell of that light when it was burning, it had a very distinct odor.

Once I started thinking about hunting, it brought back memories of what that meant for my mom. I remember one time when my dad found some baby raccoons that apparently were all alone. He put the babies in a hat and took them home. Mom was then elected to feed these babies. That meant using an eye dropper until they were big enough to drink from a small nipple on a baby bottle.  She was also expected to feed all these crazy hunters each time upon our return. She never knew how many to prepare for ahead of time, yet she always had plenty. I know there was one man that sometimes hunted with us who could easily eat 5 or 6 sandwiches himself. It’s amazing to me the memories I recall when riding, seeing what sights and smells trigger things in my mind.

As my mom was expected to feed all of us crazy hunters, Jesus was expected to feed the multitudes as well. My mom never had anyone complain about what she provided, but that was not the case for Jesus. There always seemed to be a doubter or a whiner around who had something negative to say to or about Jesus. He not only fed their bodies, but He also fed their minds. Most of us know about the 5 loaves and 2 fish that fed 5000. Stop and think about that. If God could provide for 5000, then why do we sometimes think he can’t provide for each of us? He knows our needs before we even ask. He knows what will happen today, tomorrow, and for the rest of our lives. He knows what decisions we will make before we even make them. He knew today the road I would decide to take before I did. He knew there was construction on it. He could have told me to go another way. He allowed me to make my own choices though, and instead He was there to guide me through. Sometimes we need to experience tough choices in order to learn. We need to hunger and thirst for Him. I personally am thankful for a God who allows me to make choices, even though I have made some bad ones. I know that even in those instances, He is with me and ready to forgive me when I ask for it, and help me along the way. He will not force himself on anyone, but He is always ready with open arms to accept us where we are, if only we honestly seek Him and humble ourselves before Him.

” If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14

I have been on vacation the past few days which has allowed for extra riding time, and that’s always a good thing. Its the best medicine there is mentally. Twice while riding there have been “pop up showers” to deal with. Once was when my hubby and I were riding on the longest ride we’ve taken together since I learned to ride. Even though there were a couple showers along the way, I wouldn’t trade that ride for a million dollars. Quality time with him is worth more than gold. I don’t know if any of you have heard of or read the book by Gary Chapman titled, “5 Love Languages.” If you haven’t, I highly recommend it. I read it many years ago and discovered the love languages for many of my friends and family and also myself. Mine is a combination really of acts of service and quality time. If my husband does a load of laundry or even better goes for a ride with me, that is worth more to me than anything he could buy me or anything he could say to me.

I’ve learned as I get older, the importance of making and taking time to spend with those we love. We are not guaranteed another minute, let alone another day. How many of us wish we had just 1 more time to say something to someone who is now gone? I know I do. I try to never miss a chance to tell loved ones that I love them. I never want them to have any doubt about that. God tells us in His word that he wants us to be close to Him, to come to Him with our worries and our thanksgiving. James 4:8 tells us, ^“Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.” He wants us to spend time with Him, just like we want to spend time with loved ones or want them to spend time with us. I know I have to keep my focus on Him, and not the world or my entire thought process becomes twisted.

I mentioned earlier that twice when riding recently I have experienced “pop up showers.” Well actually the one today was more than a shower. I saw the skies suddenly darkening, so headed back towards home sooner than planned and hoped I would beat it. I’m not sure if I have mentioned this before or not, but I say a prayer every time I get on my bike before I ever leave home. Today was no different in that respect, but I was talking to the Lord for pretty much the entire last 15 minutes of the ride.  I was almost home and as I was riding down the road, I could see dark skies on either side of me. At that point I thought about Moses and the Red Sea as it was parted for safe passage. Then all of a sudden I had to make a turn onto another road and well let’s just say the sea was no longer parted! I was getting pounded by rain that had quite a sting to it as it hit my flesh, was quite loud as it hit my helmet and was also hitting my face shield. I was very thankful for my windshield that protected me from the worst of it making it easier to see than it would have been without it. I am just as thankful for God who shields me from so many things in this life that could make things worse. I soon was being hit also by strong gusts of wind and as I mentioned I was talking with the Lord all the way home at this point. I kept my focus on Him and the road ahead. It would have done no good to look back, I had already been there and whatever was behind me no longer mattered. I simply slowed down and trusted in God to get me home safely, which He did. I promised Him if He got me home safely I would stay there tonight. So even though the storm has passed,  I will resist the urge to ride again tonight. I instead will keep my word.

When the storms of life come our way we need to do the same. He never promised smooth sailing. He did promise He would be with us through the storms though. Even Jesus set aside time to pray as he faced his own trials and tribulations. His life was not without storms, even though he was not a sinner, so why should ours be? We just need to keep our focus on God and know that He is there. He has helped me weather many storms, and I know in my heart He will continue to do so. I cannot focus on the past, just like I couldn’t focus on the road behind me coming home. It serves no purpose. I need to learn from it yes, but focus on it no.

Casting Crowns has a song, “I will praise you in the storm.” I recite/sing this song to myself a lot and I will praise Him through all of life’s storms. I know He will not leave me, but He will carry me even when I  cannot carry myself.

Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”

I’ve noticed as I ride, that even when I am riding along at or slightly above the speed limit, most other vehicles just fly by. I’ll admit when I am in the car I do the same. It’s all about getting from point A to point B. When on my bike it’s all different. I mentioned in the first post how riding awakens all of the senses. It also allows me to enjoy life in a very relaxed and meaningful way for me. I find I am more in tune with my own thoughts and feelings and am more open to hearing from God.

I realized as all of the vehicles were passing me, that life is often the same as the speeding vehicles and riding. When I was growing up as a child, I lived moment by moment enjoying the simple pleasures of life. I enjoyed playing in puddles, streams, and rivers. I loved bullfrogs and turtles and my dad would often stop along side the road to get them and bring them home to me if he saw them. Running through the fields, swimming in a nearby pond, and climbing trees, were also favored activities. More often than not, when my mom was looking for me, I was in the top of a tree watching her as she looked for me. Life seemed simple and carefree. I feel this same feeling now as I ride. It’s like things have come full circle while I’m riding.

I believe I speak for many of us as we get older. We live life like we drive our cars, trying to just get from one place in our life to the next.  As a young child we can’t wait to become a teenager. As a teenager, we look forward to getting a job, getting out of school, and getting a place of our own. Then everything will be perfect and we’ll be happy. We soon find being on our own and being responsible for the bills that come along with it aren’t so great. Then many of us think, well once I get married and have kids, then everything will be perfect. I thoroughly enjoy and love my children and wouldn’t change having them for anything in the world, but realized very soon it came with challenges of its own. I know many parents who were almost sad at the milestones of having kids; going to school, getting their license, getting that first job, graduating and then moving out. I never was really saddened by those. I saw each milestone as proof that I had hopefully done my job well enough that they were able to reach these goals and be successful. Maybe some of the reason I don’t feel sad about them is because of the type of work I do. Working with individuals with autism is awesome and very rewarding, but it also has made me realize that many parents would love to have the opportunity to experience these milestones that many of us take for granted. I therefore, will not be sad for them when they occur. My “baby” now has a baby of his own and I love seeing what an amazing daddy he is, and am looking forward to my granddaughter making these milestones as well.

I think God must feel the same way about us. He wants us to succeed, like any loving father. He wants us to grow and learn from our mistakes. He wants us to come to reach milestones He has planned for us. When we rebel against Him, it is the same as when our children rebel against us as parents. I’m sure most families have at least 1 member that is more challenging and defiant than others. We know how it makes our hearts ache and how helpless we can feel that we cannot reach them. Imagine how it makes God feel when we do the same to Him. How His heart must ache. I am just so thankful that even when I make mistakes, He is there ready to welcome me back and to forgive me. It’s amazing to me how He can forgive us and move on, yet often it’s so hard to forgive ourselves. I personally find it much easier to forgive others, than to forgive myself.

When we can ask for forgiveness and receive it, there is freedom. When we forgive others, there is freedom in our hearts and minds and more room for love. If we can learn to forgive ourselves, there is then total freedom.

Yesterday my sweet hubby was actually able to ride with me before we had bad storms and it was awesome to ride together and to see him too enjoying the freedom to ride. If it wasn’t for him I never would have learned how to ride my own. I am most definitely a work in progress and am thankful to have the freedom to pray, the freedom to ride, and the freedom to write all these ramblings down. I don’t know if they help anyone else, but I know it helps me to be able to express what God is doing in my life when He is able to communicate with me while I ride. My stress level is so incredibly different now, it is something I cannot explain, but I am thankful beyond words for it.

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7

Well if you are not a member of the Steel Cowgirl group I’m sure the title is foreign to you. This is an awesome group of women only who share about many topics related to riding as well as just encouraging each other daily. Whether you have a bike of your own, or ride on the back, you can be a member, as long as you are a woman! (Sorry guys)

June 25th was designated in this group to be Worldwide Steel Cowgirl Day. This is a day where everyone around the WORLD was encouraged to just get out and ride. It may sound silly to some, but it was a very cool feeling to know that even though I was riding alone, there were women all across the world riding today specifically. We come from all walks of life. It doesn’t matter if we ride a motorcycle or a trike and it doesn’t matter if we ride solo or on the back. It doesn’t matter if we ride a Ninja, a Spyder, a Victory, or a Harley. It  doesn’t matter our color, our beliefs, or our background. There are members from Australia, Canada, Germany, USA and all across the globe. We all just love to ride.

Anyone who rides, knows the biker wave and it’s a simple yet amazing gesture. It struck me yesterday while I was riding and meeting so many others out doing the same, we who ride, wave the biker wave automatically to others as we meet on the road. It’s like an unspoken bond that connects you and briefly you’re part of something bigger. You don’t see “cagers” waving to each other on the road for the most part, and if you do it’s usually not a kind gesture.

What a different world we would live in if everyone took this simple approach daily with everyone- a simple kind gesture to make others feel special and a part of something bigger. We don’t know the people we’re waving to or anything about them other than they ride, but that’s all that matters. Bikers are judged in many cases by their looks, yet most are some of the nicest and caring people you could ask for. Shouldn’t life be like that?

God made each and every one of us and none of us is better than another. We have all made mistakes and none of us is without blame, yet we judge others. The Steel Cowgirl group is an amazing group of ladies that I am proud to be a part of. Many have prayed and sent cards from all over the world to my father-in-law and for that I am extremely grateful and humbled. It has meant a lot to him and to my mother-in law as well. We are called to love one another and that’s exactly what we all need to strive to do. We need to lift each other up and honestly try to make a difference in someone’s life every day. We never know what someone else is really going through, and our kindness today could truly mean the world to someone else. We don’t have to agree with them, but we do need to show compassion for them, whatever the circumstances.

I fall short every day, but want to strive every day to try to be a better person than I was yesterday. Let’s all try to just love one another a little more and maybe it will spread to others as well. Life is too short to not have joy in our hearts and a kind word to share.

“And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13 NKJV

Today’s ride was long overdue! This week was not riding conducive for the most part and that makes for a bit of the “grumpies” to rear their ugly head.  Once I was riding it all slowly went away though. The sky was pretty, the air was comfortable, and the traffic was actually not bad at all considering it’s Friday night.

Once the ride got my mind calm from the past week’s events, I got thinking about my motorcycle journey to this point. Shortly after turning 50 a few years ago, with the support and encouragement from my hubby, I learned to ride. I started out on a Suzuki GZ 250. It was small and didn’t have a lot of power and was a great starter bike. At first I was actually afraid of it and wondered if I would ever really get the hang of it. I grew up riding snow machines and that was a totally different experience. Once I started practicing and took the MSF course it got better. I felt a lot more at ease riding and started to enjoy it. We then came across a good deal on a Harley Sportster 1200. I knew I wanted something bigger and although I wasn’t quite ready for it yet, it was a good deal so we go it.

Soon I started riding the Harley. It was definitely more powerful than the Suzuki and looked really good. The ride, however, was nothing to brag about. I continued to ride a lot and liked having a bike I felt had the power I needed to be able to keep up with traffic and keep up with my husband if we rode together. I put quite a few miles on the bike and loved the feeling of freedom from riding. It still just did not feel like it was “the bike” for me. I felt when I was riding it like I was always “fighting” the bike. My husband convinced me to try his Victory Gunner even though I had refused several times. The first time I rode it, it was incredible. Everything about it was so different than the Sportster and I was attached now to his bike. The Sportster had to go in the shop for a while and my husband was kind enough to let me use his bike during this time, gotta love a man that will share his bike!

Once my bike was ready to come out of the shop, I knew it had to go. I was going to either take over my husband’s bike, or get another that I “connected” with like his. On the Victory, I felt like I was now “one” with the bike and no longer fighting. Long story short, I got his bike and he got his dream bike in place of my Sportster. Now we both have the bikes we are happy with and life is good on the road getting wind therapy for both of us.

I came to realize on my ride today after all of this reminiscing, that my journey with Christ has many similarities to my bike journey. As a new Christian I was like when I was learning on the 250. I was insecure and full of doubt and fear. As I grew in Christ I became more confident, like when I decided it was time to move up to the Sportster. Although in both cases I had all the “power” I needed there was still just something not right. In both cases I was fighting battles I could not win on my own and was never completely relaxed and at peace. As my faith grew and my trust in Jesus became more evident, I realized that the power is not in me, it is completely in Him. When riding my power comes from the bike and in life my power comes from Jesus.

I cannot ride well if I don’t connect with my bike, and I cannot live well if I do not connect with Jesus. Did you notice the bike I ride is a Victory? I don’t think that’s a coincidence. I have Victory when I ride and I have victory in my daily living because of Christ. My bike is a Gunner and Jesus is “gunning ” for me every step of the way. All I have to do is give it all to Him and He will handle it all. I cannot take back a turn after I have made it on the bike, and I cannot take things back from Jesus once I give them to Him or in both cases the results will be hazardous.

Ahh the smell of rain. It’s a refreshing clean smell I have always loved. It’s not weather I prefer to ride in, but it’s still refreshing. The cool rain falling on your arms and tapping your face when it’s hot out is almost soothing. It causes your mind to be more alert to the road and your surroundings, but it is still relaxing.

Although rain is not preferred for riding, it reminds me that in life we sometimes have to do things that are not “preferred”. It also brings to mind 2 things I have finally come to realize.

1. Never say never-I have found that every time I say I will NEVER do “it” I end up doing that exact thing sooner or later whether I wanted to initially or not. Riding my own bike is an example of that very thing. I always said I would ride with my hubby, but never on my own. Yet here I am riding and loving it.
2. When that “little voice” is telling you to do or say something, LISTEN- I can’t tell you how many times I have not listened and paid the consequences. I also cannot tell you how many times I have listened, followed through even though I had no idea why, and then found out later the “why”. Someone responded saying it was just what they needed at the time, and I had no idea they needed it, but God knew.

Life is full of rainy days, sunny days, and those that are just cloudy and less appealing. Every day can be a good day if we choose to enjoy the moment we are in regardless of the weather, those around us,  and the circumstances we find ourselves in.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

Today was a very busy day at work and after work a ride was very much needed! If you have never ridden you need to know that riding awakens all of the senses. The ride started out when the sun was shining brightly and the sky was blue with some white thin clouds. As the ride progressed the sun was starting to set and the sky became much more colorful and the clouds were sometimes very puffy with light shining behind and through them. It seemed to have many more layers and even more beauty as the evening went on. This was the sense of sight being awakened and made me aware of the beauty that God creates every day for us to see.

While riding your sense of smell is also very much awakened. I smelled someone’s fabric softener from their laundry being done and it was a very fragrant flowery smell. I smelled other things as well; including burning rubber from someone’s brakes, freshly cut grass, a skunk (I didn’t say all smells were pleasant), and my favorite smell was along a specific road I frequent when I want a “comfort” smell. It’s the smell of dairy cows, yes manure. This smell reminds me of my childhood and my daddy who has gone on to be with Jesus. I remember going to a farm and I did not wear shoes back then unless I had to, still don’t actually. I loved to walk through the dairy barn barefoot and walk through, yep you guessed it, warm cow pies. I loved the feel of it squishing through my toes. I know you probably think that’s pretty gross but it’s a childhood memory I don’t think I’ll ever forget. It reminds me also of my daddy because he always worked with farmers; whether helping to farm or selling them farm equipment and silos, or working in the silos to keep them running properly.

So far I have described the senses of seeing and smelling. Next is the sense of touch. You can feel your hands start to ache a little from time to time from the stretching for the clutch or the tight grip on the throttle sometimes. You can feel the wind on your face and arms as you ride and can feel bugs as they hit you while you’re riding down the road(if they’re big bugs they don’t feel too nice when they hit you doing 55 mph believe me, but it’s all about experiencing those feelings that make you know you are alive.

You actually can experience tastes as well when you ride in a sense. You can feel your lips getting dry and if you lick them to moisten them you get a “taste” of the ride. Different smells can also have a “taste” to them as well.

Hearing is a sense that is definitely awakened. You can hear your bike, other vehicles, birds, bugs hitting your windshield, machinery and different noises from buildings that you go by, and the wind. Even on a calm day, there is wind when you ride and many often refer to riding as getting wind therapy.

For me, and the reason I started writing this all down, is the most amazing conversations I have with God and with myself are when I ride. It is the only time I have when I can think clearly with uninterrupted time with God. There are no phones going off, nobody can talk to me, and I am not sitting at home looking at all of the other things I could/should be doing. It is a feeling of true freedom. Granted I have to be very aware of my surroundings at all times and of what other drivers are and aren’t doing, but it still an in-explainable feeling. I sing hymns and songs to myself, I work through things that otherwise would overwhelm me, I take time to process all areas of my life and talk to God about it all. There have been times when I have rebuked Satan LOUDLY while riding and if anyone heard me they probably thought I was a bit crazy, that’s OK with me.

I never learned to ride a bike until after I turned 50. I swore I would always just ride behind my hubby and not on my own. If there’s 1 things I have learned in my 50+ years, it’s that every time I say I am NOT going to do something, sooner or later I end up doing it.

I am so grateful that my husband encouraged me to learn, and has supported me along the way. The other day he even said, “take your time and enjoy your ride. After the week you’ve had you deserve it.” He has no idea how awesome that made me feel and those 73 miles were amazing therapy for me that day.

Riding isn’t for everyone and it has to be something you truly want to do if you are going to enjoy it. If riding is not for you, I encourage to find that outlet that is for you. Something you do just for you to clear your mind and truly connect with God. It has been a lifesaver for me, I only wish I had something like this in the past when I was going through tough times. I have it now though, and it makes the world of difference in my every day life and most importantly with my relationship with God. I have been able to handle things that have happened over the past few years in a much better way than I would have previously.

One of my favorite verses of scripture for years has been 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.”

This verse is as true today as the first time I ever read it. This past year has been very challenging personally for me with many “unexpected” situations arising and I know that it’s purely through my closer relationship with Him that I have been able to remain strong and faithful to Him.

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

That’s all of my ramblings for today so this christian grandma biker is signing off for now until next time-

This is a new adventure for me. I started riding thanks to my supportive husband when I turned 50. It has been an awesome experience for me and the only time I have uninterrupted time to think, reflect,  and really connect with my own thoughts and with God. I want to share those thoughts in hopes it may speak to someone else out there and help them in some way.