Ramblings of a Christian Grandma Biker

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!!

This weekend we were attempting to get the Christmas tree decorated. We are using an artificial tree and I got it put together a few days ago. The lights are not the favorite part of decorating so they were holding up the progress. While finally attempting to get them on we discovered that some of the lights weren’t working. We were able to fix 1 strand but after many attempts could not fix the other and their addition was put off yet again.

The next morning I was determined to figure them out but after over an hour of working on them, some still wouldn’t light. At that point I decided to just go ahead and put them on anyway and not worry about those that didn’t light. As many as there were that did work it would still be pretty by mixing the strand that worked completely, with the strand that didn’t.

After that aggravation I decided it was time to bundle up and destress on a much needed ride while the sun was still shining. As I was riding along and noticing the Christmas decorations in people’s yards I thought back to the tree lights. Some shine brightly, some are a bit dimmer, and then of course some are not working at all. When they’re plugged in they work together to illuminate the tree beautifully just the same. I realized that we can be compared to those lights. Some days I feel as though my light for Jesus is shining brilliantly, but then there are other days when I sense that my light may have been dull or even burned out. I could let those days get me down and beat myself up because I didn’t do better, or I can apologize and promise Him and myself to try harder the next day. None of us can be a vibrant light 24/7 only He can. Without His power we can’t shine at all, just like the lights need electric power. They have to be plugged into an outlet and we need to be plugged into His word if we are to shine.

Not only does this comparison work with our own personal stories, but it works with others as well. When we see someone who may be struggling to shine, we can join in with them even if we aren’t fully shining and together make the light stronger. Darkness is simply a lack of light and even a tiny little spark can bring brightness. Darkness is also the absence of God which is why I believe light was created before every other creation in Genesis. We get our light from Him and we are to share it with everyone. That doesn’t mean we have to beat them over the head with it or nag about following Him, it means we should live in a way that others can see Him through us in our every day lives and conversations.

If we are to illuminate His love we need to be plugged into His word repeatedly and keep recharging ourselves with God’s spirit. The lights on the tree will not glow when they are unplugged, nor will we.

Matthew 5:16

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

As I mentioned in my last rambling, I still have another one started that’s not yet finished and the time is still not right for that one to be completed. While riding the past several weeks another thought process started so that’s what I’m rambling on this time to share with you.

We live in a world full of expectations. Some of those expectations may be realistic and some may not be. Some of us probably expect too much from ourselves and others while some of us maybe have decided not to expect much at all and that way we won’t be disappointed. Whatever the case may be, we all have some level of expectations based on our own past and current experiences.

Recently when I stopped in to see my mother and father in law while riding, we were discussing how different people do and expect different things and that some of that is based on “quirks ” that we may have. We all have our own little quirks or ways we do things and although we may expect everyone to do things that way, they may not. I can assure you I have plenty of quirks my hubby has to deal with and yet he loves me anyway🤣🤣. It’s important that we understand that what we see as a realistic expectation in our mind is not necessarily the same in someone else’s mind. There are uncertainties associated with those quirks and expectations and we cannot let them consume or define us. Flexibility is key if you are going to live a happy life.

I’ve read many articles, stories, and posts by people, as well as knowing some folks personally, who definitely don’t see it that way; it’s their way or it’s wrong. I’ve seen many who complain that their family member or spouse/mate just doesn’t do enough or contribute enough to satisfy them. My thought is if you’re fortunate enough to have a special someone in your life and/or close family members/friends, then be thankful to have them and don’t worry about whether they do or don’t do as much as you’d like. If we were alone we would have to do it all and have nobody to share anything with, so instead be thankful to have them and appreciate whatever help they do offer. With the state of affairs in our country and world the way it is, maybe they’re doing the best they can and that should be enough. It’s become more acceptable to criticize than to appreciate and to me that is truly sad.

If you listen to or look at anything from the main stream media and social platforms today, within less than a minute you’ll see exactly what I’m saying. Reality is not being presented to the public through either of these routes. We are being “fed” what others choose. I have intentionally not followed all of this mess from them, this past year especially, and I will not.

My expectations come from only one source and He has never changed. As uncertain as things can seem, He has it covered. There were many who thought Jesus too had quirks, but it didn’t alter how He presented Himself nor should it alter us. We were made in His image and He expects us to follow Him, regardless of how others see us or what they tell us we should do.

There is no reason to fear the future as long as we are focused on Him, not the world.

John 8:12
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

I’ve learned some new things this past year that I may not have learned if had been a “typical” year and for that I am thankful. Staying focused on what can be done to bring more peace to your life when times are uncertain can be so rewarding. We each have the opportunity to choose how we will respond to expectations, others’ quirks, and to the uncertainties of life. We can let it take control of us and cause us fear and anxiety or we can take control of it; choose joy and peace, and learn new things. As we approach Thanksgiving here in the U.S.A, I am thankful for my family and my small circle of true friends and as crazy as it may seem I’m thankful for what this year has taught me. Not all of the lessons have been easy, but they have all played a part in making me who I am. When the world tries to turn your life upside down, take it to the cross, to the only one who can truly make a way when there seems to be none.

I’ve heard the group Leeland sing a song called “Way Maker” and these are some of the words to it:

You are here, moving in our midst, I worship you.

You are here, working in this place, I worship you.

You are way maker, miracle worker, promise keeper, light in the darkness, My God that is who you are.

You are here, touching every heart, I worship you.

You are here, healing every heart, I worship you.

You are here, turning lives around, I worship you.

You are here and you are mending every heart, I worship you.

Even when I don’t see it, you are working.

Even when I don’t feel it, you are working.

You never stop, no you never stop working.

His name is above-

His name is above depression,

His name is above loneliness,

His name is above disease,

His name is above cancer,

His name is above every other name

Yes it is.

That is who you are Jesus.

You are way maker, miracle worker, promise keeper, light in the darkness, My God that is who you are.

I know it’s been a while since I’ve published any ramblings but it’s not because I haven’t been riding or writing. Counting this one, I actually have 3 different blogs started, which has never happened before. I don’t hit the “publish” button until that still small voice says it’s ready soooo they are not all ready.

I’ve had 2 long Sunday rides this month so far, 156 miles and 153 miles and the thoughts on both were mostly the same and are what I’m including here, along with what started out as another of those blogs I mentioned so now I only have 2 going simultaneously. (I had no idea they would combine until I got about half way through this one.)

I’m sure most of us have had wishes and dreams we’ve considered at different times in our lives. Some of those may include other family members/friends and some may just be for ourselves. Some people don’t see a difference between having a wish and having a dream but to me there is a difference. I see a wish as something I’d like to see happen, but it’s something that’s not in my control. I have wishes of things that I think would be fun and or exciting/rewarding but for one reason or another I know they won’t happen. A dream is something I’d like to see happen and I can be an active participant in trying to make it occur.

I currently have a few dreams in mind, things to work towards. I’ve heard people say that sometimes things come “full circle.” That is definitely the case for the dream I’d most like to still see come true. When I was in elementary school I remember having to write a story about something I’d like to do when I grew up. I wrote about having a log cabin on some land in/near the mountains where I could raise chickens for eggs and for meat, a few goats for milk, cows for meat/milk, a couple pigs, a garden, a pond and easy access to multiole places to fish and hunt. Basically a home where I could be pretty self sufficient and no close neighbors. At the time I also wanted horses, but I can do without those now as they would serve no real purpose other than being something else to feed yet not benefit from in a practical sense. I will continue to ride my motorcycle so horse riding isn’t necessary now as I thought it was then.

Living “off grid ” was and still is a dream. My hubby and I have discussed this some in passing but it is truly something I think more and more about in this crazy world. This summer we have been blessed by the produce of our small garden and for the first time I’ve saved many seeds from it for next year’s garden and done some freezing and pickling and most recently started getting persimmons from our trees that God provided. I know there are friends and family who won’t and don’t understand this type of dream but that’s ok, dreams are a personal thing.

Neither of us is big on going on extended vacations, cruises or even on weekend getaways except with each other, so living off grid wouldn’t be a big change. We have had opportunities to have a guys or gals weekend, but that’s just not for us. We both came out of bad relationships with broken promises and that was an agreement we made early on. That agreement has held true since the day we got married except for the few times I was at my parents’ helping with my dad or was at the hospital with one or both of them. This decision is something many don’t understand either, but that’s ok as well. 🙃 Neither of us grew up with parents that did those things and we’re okay with being different from today’s views of what couples can do. It’s a personal decision each couple must make on their own to do what’s best for them.

These past longer rides have shown me some beautiful countryside I’ve never seen even though it’s within an hour or so from home. One particular road I discovered I know I’ll definitely travel again. It was pretty curvy and quiet, mostly wooded on both sides, and had very little traffic. It would be a great choice for off grid living. These rides also led to some great conversations with God! It’s amazing how much clearer my thinking is when I can be totally unplugged from technology of any kind; no radio, tv, phone, or computer-my kind of world. I love music but can definitely do without the rest of it quite easily, except that the computer/internet/phone is needed for work to pay the bills.

We all need a way to unplug in my opinion in order to truly have an intimate relationship with our creator. I’ve thought quite a bit, on these 2 longer rides especially, about promises as well. What got me started on these longer rides partially was a question my father in law recently jokingly asked me before we hugged during an afternoon visit. “Where have you been?” I’m not going to get into the details behind that question but it later got me thinking about where I’ve ridden. Many rides are in the same general areas and his question actually encouraged me to get out more on new destinations/roads.

I’m very thankful that I did that and have been blessed with some fantastic views and sites along the way. The country views have been beautiful, the roads were winding, and in several areas the trees cascaded over the road providing some very appreciated shady spots along the way. I’ve seen some deer in the middle of the day on 3 separate occasions. A large doe was happily eating under an apple tree where recent winds no doubt had knocked some apples to the ground. In another spot I saw a doe dart across the road in front of me and her fawn was frantically running around in circles trying to decide whether to follow or not and thankfully it stayed safely in the grassy area until after I had passed by. The 3rd sighting was a doe and 2 fawns that crossed the road a short distance ahead of me. They were all so beautiful and carefree, the way we all should be.

The media and others have done their best to instill absolute fear in everyone but I will not live in fear! I will live trusting in His word and resting in His peace.

John 14:27
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

He has promised us many things and He will not go back on His word, nor will I.

1 Peter 1:24-25
For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away, but the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

I’ve made promises to Him and to my hubby that I will not break, for anyone or anything. If a situation arises that could lead to a potential broken promise, I will not waiver. I believe the time is coming when we will have to make a decision on how far we’re willing to go to keep our promise to the Father. Remember, anything you do behind someone’s back, you are doing in front of God. Nothing is hidden from Him, He knows your every thought and action/inaction.

I’m not going to start a political debate here, but for those of us with an election coming up, make sure you educate yourself on the principles of your candidate and vote accordingly as it lines up with God’s word. We cannot vote based on personality issues or whether or not we like someone, we must base it on things that truly matter; freedoms and rights for all including unborn children. You can’t praise God then turn around and support murdering babies and innocent children/adults. Don’t blindly believe media reports, do your own research and get the facts.

I challenge you all to dream big, live life as the gift from God that it is, keep your promises, and stay safe!

Well summer is definitely here! Friday after work I headed out to try to get in a ride before the storms and got caught in a shower. After I got beyond it I figured as hot as it was out I might as well keep riding because my clothes and boots probably wouldn’t take long to dry. That was exactly the case, so I rode on until it started looking like we might get some serious rain then headed for home again. Boy am I glad I did, it was a monster of a storm with strong winds, plenty of rain and some major lightning! I don’t mind riding in a shower but wind and lightning I’ll do without.

Saturday’s heat index was 105 so I figured I’d wait for the sun to go down a bit before I rode. About the time I was going to head out, you guessed it, storms again! This time we even lost power for several hours. Thankfully it was after the worst of the heat of the day was over.

After the storm, I saw the most hummingbirds I’ve seen at one time this year at the feeders. There were at least 5 of them at one time. There was 1 that kept landing on one of the poles, trying to then fly and keep all of the others away, and then landing again. It was amazing to watch how they all reacted and interacted.

As night progressed without power, I had to open the windows for some air flow. As I was doing this the sky was so beautiful with orange, red and yellow mixed into the clouds. Everything suddenly seemed so alive. The normal sounds of the air conditioner, refrigerator, tv, freezer etc. were gone. Now all I heard were crickets and frogs, a few bugs hitting the window, some rain dripping off the roof and the occasional dogs barking; mine and the neighbor’s. Honestly I loved hearing nothing but nature, even though it meant no power or water.

I could see bunnies running around the yard before it was completely dark, then the solar yard decorations took over with their simple beauty. Off in the distance I could hear someone shooting off fireworks and having their own celebration. If it hadn’t been for the storm and losing power, chances are I would have missed all of that!

How many things in our lives would we have missed without the storms we’ve been through? Sure we don’t normally enjoy the storms as we’re going through them, but I truly believe there is always beauty after the storms in some way if we look for it. In Matthew 8 we saw Jesus rebuke the wind and calm the seas. Don’t you know if He can physically do that, He can calm our hearts as well?

Often after the rain there’s a rainbow, after the darkness of night comes the light of day, and after the storm there is calm. No matter what we have been through already, what we’re currently experiencing, and whatever the future may hold, He is there. There will always be beauty after the storms, I firmly believe that and on that note it’s time for a Sunday bike conversation with Him before it’s too hot or storming again.