It’s automatic when talking with old friends to revisit the past. The
longer the period of absence, the more precious the stories become, and often
more unbelievable. Six inches grows to six feet, the top speed has increased by
20 mph, and that date with the unobtainable big blonde becomes more
unbelievable. And all the time the teller of these tales knows the truth, while
so does his audience, but the truth doesn’t seem to matter, those were the good
old times, and this is how many choose to remember them. But too often we are
both amazed and disappointed when we find out how the class clown has turned
into a nerd, the class yuck is now worth millions, and the worst, how old riding
buddies have quit riding. And now you have nothing to talk about as that was
your common denominator. Whereas you both would share the latest issue of
Cycle, tearing out ads to send in your 25 cents for decals, or the latest
catalog of things you couldn’t afford, now he talks of the Blu-tooth in his
Camry, while you were hoping to get together and ride again...one more time.
And so it is with friends from 30 years ago, who now have families, who have
families, and quit riding. Some under pressure from their wives, some from
basic needs, and some just lost the battle to ride. But yet they remember the
stories of how it was, but sadly don’t know how it is. They remember the 750
Honda that blew everyone else in the weeds, but don’t get it when I say my
Bonneville is the slowest bike I own, and faster than the old Honda. They
remember 200 mile Saturdays, then home for a date, and don’t get it when Theresa
and I share about our cross country trips together. They talk of finding that
same bike they had 25 years ago and planning on reliving the past, and trying to
freshen the memories, if only for one more ride. But somewhere between the
talking and doing, reality sets in, and quilting lessons and car seats have
become more important than riding. And they have made a choice to quit riding,
“I can always get another bike,” but never do, and never did. Leaving so many
roads, times, and memories that could have been.
Going with the crowd, becoming the same as everyone else in the name of
individuality, we all fall into into it sometime in our lives. Things we never
said we would do, become the new norm, and in some cases we even enjoy them. In
some cases we grow, some cases we grow up, but in all cases we change.
Hopefully for the better...and so a few years back I changed my outlook to
life. After many years of coulda, shoulda, and woulda, I started living I did,
I am, and I;’m gonna. And oh the difference it has made. Like so many, we
often have a great dal come our way, but money to cover it, but yet when we have
both, don’t do it. So now I do, for missed opportunities also mean missed
blessings. When traveling, if we see something, we no longer excuse our way out
of it by saying “next trip, or later,” we take advantage of the situation and
the blessing. Because of that we have seen more things, met more people, and
been blessed with so many happy memories. I have ridden in helicopters at the
spur of the moment, driven trains when not expecting, and been given numerous
meals just because I accepted the offer when presented. So when we meet old
friends we get to share our stories of things we’ve done, rather than things we
missed out on. Not a perfect system, I have had bad meals, gone down roads I
wish I hadn’t, and met those who I choose to forget, but at least I made the
choice and never would have known how good or how bad if I hadn’t. Not knowing
is not the way to go through.
And not knowing Jesus is really not the way to go through life. If we
don’t say yes, we are really saying no. And the worst thing we can say is
“we’ll wait.” Until I’m older, until the kids are gone, until my new marriage
has time to work, or until I can afford to. Not realizing that you are
delaying, not waiting. Waiting implies the right time, the right
circumstance-delaying means putting it off. Procrastinating. Missing out on
what God has for you. Making excuses. Perhaps the subtlest of all tools to get
our eyes off of Jesus, or avoid Him altogether-delay. And although there are
many who proclaim this as their life story, no one, including others like them,
wants to hear from them. It is like the man waiting for next years Pontiac,
only to find they went out of business-no wonder the old ones were priced so
low. Or holding the ticket to Game 7 he got a deal on, when their team was
eliminated in game 6. It is like waiting to buy the home of your dreams, being
cheap over a few thousand, then missing out altogether. Apartment living an be
so much fun. So many have excuses, I rather have Jesus. You see I can do all
things through Him who gives me strength. Chances to be blessed, trusting Him,
even if I choose wrong, He will bring me back. Knowing He loves to bless me,
and how when money is taken out of the equation, my faith somehow increases.
And do do my blessings-and my motorcycles!
Missing out because of delaying? Trust Jesus now. It is His riches, not
ours that make it possible. No way-He’ll make one. No chance-take one, He’ll
stand with you. No money-His credit is impeccable-He always pays cash! And
will meet the need, despite us. He promises us the desires of our hearts, when
He is that desire-look out! A wave of blessings are coming! But sadder yet are
those who once walked with Him, then turned away. Making even more excuses and
claiming Jesus doesn’t work. When it is them that don’t.
So many choices today affect tomorrow’s actions. If I hadn’t left Jersey,
if I hadn’t moved to Albuquerque, if I hadn’t met Gerald, if I hadn’t ridden to
San Diego, if I hadn’t met Theresa...I would not be as blessed today. But if I
hadn’t met Jesus, nothing else would matter. Take that chance today, prove
Him. He’s up for it, are you? Always wondered where that road goes? Ride it,
and tell others. Who is this Jesus? Master, savior, Lord, and best friend.
Tell others-your testimony. You can have your excuses, I prefer my
testimonies. Sooner or later, you have to make the choice. Don’t be among
those who say “I wish I hadn’t waited.” Don’t delay...as Dean Wormer told
Flounder, “fat, drunk, and stupid is no way to go through life.” He should have
added without Jesus. What is your excuse? This is my testimony! Today is that
tomorrow that was yesterday.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com