It’s springtime! When a young man’s fancy turns to many things. But to
those of us who ride, it means one thing. Winter is over and we ride again.
Except for those of us in So Cal, or who steadfastly refuse to give in to cold,
winter, snow and ice of winter. For us it means no more electric riding
clothes, thick gloves, and three layers of riding clothes. But springtime it
is, and even if the weather doesn’t match the calendar, we are ready and
willing, but are we able? As I look out at the front yard, the grass has turned
this suspicious green color, and is growing faster than I remember. In the
back, where all winter it was brown, now it is alive, and the weed season has
begun. Flowers are in bloom, and the bees are in them, as they begin their
yearly pollen gathering and redistribution. It may still be cold at night, but
warm enough under the covers, so the windows that were sealed shut for months
now are open. Helping us to exercise self control over a midnight snack, or the
urge to water the lemon tree in the middle of the night. With open windows it
brings new sounds, or the awakening of new sounds, as we hear the cats fight in
the night, the cruel howl of a coyote conquest, and the whistle of the freight
trains. We forgot about the Harley the next block over-he rides all winter, and
forgot how obnoxiously loud his pipes are as he warms it up for 20 minutes.
Give in-by a fuel injected bike! We also get the first glimpse of allergies, as
all the flowers, with a little help from the bees, are blooming, and smell so
good, between sneezes. Spring is here-we made it through winter, and there is
nothing you can do about it.
For most it means driving with the windows down, or turning on the AC and
not the heater. Kids playing out after school, longer day light-who else
besides me doesn’t love Daylight Savings? But to those of us who ride, it means
we are able to ride again, or more. Some will go to the back of the garage,
remove the covers, and push the starter button-and nothing will happen.
Should’ve bought the battery tender on sale last winter. Finally it starts, and
runs rough, maybe the gas is bad, but maybe I should have tuned it last year.
So we call the shop, who fed us free donuts all winter. When they had no work.
“We’re taking appointments for six weeks,” and your dream is shattered. Again,
why didn’t I service it last winter? I told my wife that is why we needed a
pickup, to carry the bike? So we haul it out, clean it up, and as the sounds of
others riding, maybe more thoughtful than us, we resist the temptation, drain
the gas, refill the tank, and off we go. But this thing wobbles, it didn’t do
this when I parked it four months ago? Then in a flash of brilliance, you air
up the tires, it suddenly runs better, smoother, and the huge smile on your face
invites any bugs who may to try and wipe it from your face. It’s spring and
your are riding! For in the spring the number one thing a man’s fancy turns to
is riding!
Pulling up to the diner, you recognize the guys by motorcycle, not by
sedan. And the lot is full. Time to catch up on lost winter dreams and rides,
after an hour of bench racing, you’re off. Stopping by the shop, where all the
new bikes are arriving, just in time for tax money that should be spent
responsibly will be spent on necessity-a new motorcycle. One trip around the
block, and your old ride, with bad tires, tired battery, and needing a tune up
is like winning second place in a beauty contest. And promising the wife
whatever it takes to appease her, you sign the papers, ride off, the envy of
your friends whose wives don’t get it, and you won’t be seen for days. A small
price for her to pay to get you out of the house, and out from under her feet so
she can get things done at home. For summer is coming, and she wants to be at
at the beach, so she prepares. Just like you should have been doing all winter,
so you could ride. Maybe she does understand after all. But it is spring, and
it means riding with buddies, taking rides you dreamt about all winter, and
summer is coming, which means more of the same, just longer hours under better
conditions. Life couldn’t be any better, the yard can wait...let’s ride!
And so the first festival of the riding season is complete, and the others
await. God is into seasons too, and also festivals. And with Easter here next
week, Passover has begun. What a great time for the Jewish people to look for
the Messiah, who Christians believe is already here, and will return soon for
us. And I think God knows why He put Passover in the spring. A time of
rebirth, of beauty and fresh starts, what could be better than starting them
with being forgiven. Giving glory to God, and thanking Him for Jesus, and
feeling new and clean inside. Spiritually clean, your soul feels like the fresh
air of spring, and you wonder, why didn’t I do this sooner. All winter has
passed, and I could have been spending more time with God, and now it is spring,
and it comes time to ride, what am I gonna do? May I suggest, first-pray.
Thankfully and gratefully that God remembers even when you don’t. That Jesus
isn’t seasonal, but the festivals God has created help keep us fresh in our
relationship with Him. He remembers how much we forget, or get side tracked.
And Passover means new life, and then Easter that we too will be resurrected
upon death, just like Jesus did, after death. And as we wonder what to do
first, after praying I suggest a ride. What better place than in the temple of
your Arai alone with God than to thank Him. Enjoying both the creator and His
creation with others, but also alone, as time spent with Jesus will always be
time well spent. Being able to do it while riding just is an added bonus. And
soon Pentecost will come and go, then a summer of great weather, great riding,
and many new memories made-along with time spent with God. And then the Feast
of Trumpets to celebrate the return of Jesus, and soon fall is upon us, and we
promise to remember to do all the things to our new bike that we neglected on
our old ones. And promise that we will keep in touch with God, it has truly
been a great summer. But knowing we can get easily side tracked... another
promise we intend to keep, but will break. Aren’t you glad grace isn’t
dependent on you, but is all about Jesus?
For truly springtime is a time of rebirth, and a time to celebrate. And
ride. Don’t wait all winter wondering what to do, turn to God now. He really
isn’t seasonal, He is there in winter too. Just like the bike under the cover
in the garage, He awaits you each day, and wishes you didn’t wait all winter to
get back to Him. It’s OK to peek under the tarp, to sit on the bike and work
the throttle, and make the noises. It’s also OK top spend time with God that
way. And the more time spent with God, you notice winter is almost bearable,
and spring takes on a newer and more refreshing outlook. Bikes may sit unridden
and covered all winter. Don’t set God out for a season either. Enjoy winter
for spring is coming. Enjoy spring for it is Easter time, and look forward to
the return of Jesus. Any day now, it could be spring. Any day now He can
return. What a better way to spend winter than waiting for Jesus. So get out
and ride, with Jesus. Don’t make Him wait any longer. He has waited for you,
what are you waiting for? For in the spring a young man’s fancy turns to
riding. Don’t wait so long to return to Jesus.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com