Deep within each of us is the desire for life, and to live it to its
fullest, based upon our desires, then our needs. When things go wrong, some
call it bad luck, and for some if there was no bad luck they would have no luck
at all. But when things go their way, they call it good luck, and others will
claim that it is better to be lucky than good. I guess it's like oats, it
depends on which end of the horse you are referring to when you mention them.
But sadly these terms seem to lack belief in God, an affront to those who think
they are so good they can control this luck they speak of, and don't need Him,
or so bad they just ride out one disaster waiting for the next, blaming Him.
They practice random acts of kindness, as the bumper stickers proclaim, denying
that a loving God could ever be in charge. But would believe in Him more if He
like the Genie in the lamp will acquiesce to their demands. A coincidence to
them if He would, something else that does not exist. Sadly Satan can duplicate
God to a point where you look away from Him. That is no coincidence.
But to those of us who believe, we call them blessings. And they all come
from God. No such thing as coincidence, it is called divine intervention. And
throughout the Bible they are mentioned, and like Jesus, they are never early,
never late, but always on time. And there when needed, thankfully. But oft
times we don't even see the need, or forget that God loves to just bless His
kids-us. Good gifts, to show His love. And anytime He wants to bless me is
just fine with me.
After the many miracles of my open heart surgery this summer, He continued
to bless us in small ways. It seems His care never ends. And we always can use
more of God, I can. For instance, staticians tell us the odds are very high
that any two men in a city of 650,000 would be best friends. When you figure
one is a prominent cardiologist, and one owns a motorcycle store, a Triumph
store for that matter, it gets more unbelievable. But when one was my
cardiologist, and the other my friend, the odds increase when I am included.
Unreal? Good luck? How about a miracle, a great blessing, from the God who
continues to bless me today?
After surgery I was in a survival mode, and rightfully so. I didn't even
think of riding, or of riding again. But getting out in the public, I spent
time at PJ's, the Triumph shop, and sat on bikes, and the rehab had begun. He
even offered me a bike to ride when I got released, how cool is that! But more
was to come, unexpectedly. We decided to drive to Santa Fe, and stopped at the
Harley store to get t-shirts for Ken and Ned, who in their Black Sheep HD for
Christ vests went to Durango incognito, and trailered my Triumph Tiger back. I
was passed by a man I recognized, and it turned out to be John DelValle, who I
first worked with selling motorcycles in Albuquerque-in 1976! We talked, he had
wondered what ever became of me, and he knew what the pillow was, his wife had
had open heart surgery. We caught up on who's who and then he turned us on to a
great New Mexican restaurant. After Theresa had met a woman working there, who
was in tears over my miracle. Another believing woman who knew this wasn't
luck. And we knew meeting John again was no coincidence.
But God wasn't done, as after my five week check up I was released from all
restrictions, and would be riding again in two more weeks. More miracles-these
things should take up to a year or more. But one more stop at a Harley store
and one more blessing, not coincidence was awaiting. I was walking around
carrying my heart pillow, when two big biker types were giving me the once
over. Walking over to them, I asked, "you are probably wondering just how tough
I am to walk around with this pillow? Well let me tell you, I just had open
heart surgery 5 weeks ago, and I am a miracle." Giving some details, the tall
guy looked in amazement, while the other guy-big and wide, named Bam, turned
away. He started to tell me how he was scheduled for some arterial work in six
weeks, and was scared. And he had many questions, and right there in the store
I shared with him and answered all his questions. We hugged and as we were
leaving, about 50' from where we had met I heard, "Hey Mike, God bless you
man!" It was Bam. Magical words to my ears, as the blessings, just like rain
had fallen on the just and the unjust. A divinely inspired time again, with the
blessings that only can come from God.
And I finally got a t-shirt, again a miracle and blessing to me. Stopping
in Bobby J's, the Yamaha dealer, Stan who I hadn't seen for over 35 years gave
me a free Bobby J's t-shirt. I have always said Albuquerque was a great
motorcycle town...
Believe what you will, I know the truth, and it is called Jesus. From
getting me to Durango-a miracle, to Life Flight to Albuquerque to unique
surgery, to biker and Cardiologists being best friends, to two old friends
meeting over 30 years later, to Bam!, to Stan-and all those in between. No such
thing as coincidence. Just a loving Father looking out for His kids. Showering
them with blessings. Who was not surprised by any of it. Some would call it
luck-I prefer Jesus. Nothing random about His love. Let Him shower you with it
today. Psalm 1 states "blessed is the man who walks with God..." Funny, it
never mentions luck.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com