Monday, August 5, 2013

1800 hours-a tribute to my wife and her motorcycle





Theresa and I recently passed a milestone in our lives, really our garage.  Maybe not a big deal, but still a deal to us.  Her 2002 Bonneville has now become the longest owned motorcycle we have ever owned.  It has now surpassed the FJ100 by one year, and 1000 miles.  A feat that seems to go unnoticed in our garage with the stream of press bikes that go in and out, but a milestone that is worth noting.  With over 75,000 miles, it represents over 1800 hours of seat time, a long time spent with any person, but a lot with one motorcycle.  And as 75,000 is a lot of miles, it is the roads, the rides, and the company ridden with that make the miles even more amazing.  And in a time when so many bikes are bought, not ridden, and then sold without memory, bought for love, and then sold for money, there are hours of memories here to look back on, while planning our next ride.  But it has taken commitment, much like a marriage does, starting with shopping for the right one, and then saying I do, when you sign on the  line.  You take an oath to love and obey-not necessarily the speed limits, to honor and hold-the curves, and to maintain her as needed.  Without a commitment, soon she gets old, and the new look so much better-thanks to the ads.  But after 1800 hours, the view over the handlebars still looks good, and the promise of the next ride still calls with excitement.  Fortunately so does my marriage, sadly many don’t have the bragging rights we do.  They have forsaken the commitment, fallen for a pretty face, rather than the time spent with the one you made the commitment to.  I am reminded of a pastor once who said, “next time you look at that pretty young thing, imagine her cooking for you, cleaning for you, picking up after you, and tending you when sick.  Hang on to what you have, it never looked so good.”
While it is so easy to look back on old rides, sometimes we have problems looking forward to what lays ahead.  Yesterday’s miracles are nice, but often we don’t look forward to the new ones with the same attitude.  11 years with any motorcycle is a lot, but when measured in memories rather than years or miles we can look at the time spent differently.  And we anticipate more miles, more memories, and more time riding-no matter how long it takes.  And we look forward to all the miracles to come...if only we looked at our marriages the same way.  I am glad I do, which to many is a miracle, and I can’t say there were times it wasn’t.  But it has taken the commitment of both of us, just like it has taken the commitment with her Bonneville.  Maintenance, which often seemed expensive, but is still cheaper than repairs.  New tires, chains and sprockets, and oil changes have kept it running great.  She still shines and we take great satisfaction when someone cannot believe her age-the bike’s, not Theresa’s.  Although she looks younger to me every day-love will do that.  But even the time and money spent has been an investment, rather than a cost, and we have the rewards to show for it.  If only we took the care in our marriages that we take on our bikes-to some I see it is a miracle either one is still around and running.
So to those who feel marriage is not important, I find Jesus showing it is the most important relationship after our relationship with Him.  Goes all the way back to Adam, and Eve.  So it only makes sense that Jesus’ first miracle was at a wedding, and His last one will complete the marriage.  He turned the water into wine as His first miracle, wine signifying joy, and how it is available as soon as we make the commitment to Him.  The best was saved for last, it got better rather than worse as the feast went on.  But marriage takes that commitment, and just like a Jewish bride, we don’t know the time of His return, the time our groom comes for His bride-us, the church.  So we must honor the commitment we made with Him, keeping it well maintained, fresh, and alive.  We must do things that we must even when we don’t want to, and look forward to the coming service-the final miracle for those who believe here on earth-the one that takes us to heaven, to be with Jesus forever.  And what seems like a big deal now will all make sense, and will pale in comparison to what awaits us.  A life in Christ-and filled with miracles.  Some as small as pushing the starter button and the bike starts-some as big as keeping you safe in the stormy weather.  Some so mundane as our daily grind, that without His daily bread would even seem more miraculous.  But it is the time and energy, the commitment we bring to the relationship that adds life to it.  The closer to Jesus, the more miracles we see.  It is written, these things shall follow them that believe.  Maybe what is following you tells more about who or what you believe than you care to share.  It is like the worn out Bible-it shows of a life that isn’t.  And just one look at the Bonneville shows more miles than the patina shows. 
An old ad once claimed “pay me now, or pay me later.”  Maybe with an old engine, but not in life.  There is no later, just too late.  So honor your commitment to your ride today, and it will honor you.  1800 hours in 11 years-not bad.  Honor the commitment to your spouse even more, and watch as she honors you.  Treat her like lady, she will be one.  Give yourself to her, just like Jesus gave Himself for His church.  But put and keep Jesus first.  Many bikes are shiny, and don’t show the miles, mainly because they haven’t been anywhere-and aren’t going anywhere.  Keeping Jesus first will take you places you never dreamed of, a miracle in itself.  He will add life to the miles, and miles to your life.  1800 miles of memories, just don’t forget the 6 hours it took Jesus on the cross.  Another miracle-just for you.  Maybe go out and take a 6 hour ride-doing it in remembrance of Him.  A communion of riding, just you and Jesus.  Looking back on what He has done, and eagerly anticipating heaven.  Only In Him will you be able to remember the past, but the future too.  Another milestone just waiting to happen.  So much Jesus-it’s gonna take a lot of time.  1800 hours just the beginning.  The next milestone eagerly awaits.  Who you ride with makes all the difference.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com