I
rode my bike this morning and was so happy the weather had turned off cool
again--a little reprieve from the coming hot weather. My route today led me to a road that I
usually avoid because it’s a gradual downhill ride, and really fun, but bicycling
back up is murder, and I’ve learned once I go down this road, all roads back to
my house are uphill.
I
decided to take it anyway. It was a fun
bike ride and I enjoyed the breeze and the beautiful palo verde trees with
their brilliant yellow flowers. After
awhile it was time to head home. I rode
along the canal path, hoping I could find a different route home that wouldn’t
be so steep. As the canal path curved I
was soon heading straight into the wind.
Whoa, it was hard pedaling! I decided to just pedal slow and steady and
soon the path curved again and the wind
was not blowing straight at me. I saw
the end of the canal path up ahead that led back to the street. I noticed that I had cut off half of the
steep uphill drive on the road and hoped I was up for the rest of the ride to
the top.
As
I pedaled the uphill road I took it slow and steady and thought, “Wow, it’s not
as hard as I thought it would be. If I
just pedal slow and push each leg down in turn, I’ll soon be at the top.” I kept pedaling and soon reached the top and
felt such pride that I had been strong enough to keep going. I thought, “Boy, I bet my thighs and hips are
going to be lean and mean now!”
The
rest of my bike ride was enjoyable.
There would be stretches again where the wind would blow straight at
me. But by now I knew it wouldn’t last
and I lifted my eyes to look at the gorgeous blue sky with the huge billowing
white clouds. What a sight! And the wind was heaven sent, I realized, because it blew my hair out of my eyes so
I could see clearly in front of me, plus it cooled me down.
As
I rode back to my house, I couldn’t help but compare my bike ride to my
life. Especially the last 8 months since
my husband has passed away. The wind has
blown a lot, and the path has been steep and hard. But the blue sky and white clouds have always
been there and I realize that my legs are stronger and the breeze is cool and
heaven sent and I can see clearly where I’m going. I can’t see the end of the road, but I’m
enjoying the ride.
I
hope your “bike ride” through life is teaching you things. Be sure to look for the parables as you go
through life raising your children—it makes life so much more worthwhile.
Thanks for reading,
Cathy
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You are so awesome. Thank you!
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