Thursday, November 20, 2014

none of the above















Over the years I have written lists of things I need to do.  Learned probably from our mothers, who before they went grocery shopping made lists so they wouldn’t forget anything, we still do today.  Forget things that is, as many times we forget to take the list with us, guessing as we go down every aisle, and then return home with a cart full of things we didn’t need, but without the one thing we did.  I am sure pyschologists have a term for it, I just feel stupid.  A term we all can associate with.  But for years I made preride lists when setting off on long rides.  Not wanting to miss anything, but over the years the list has changed, and soon became a mental note.  Repetition will do that, as you cannot teach experience.  We learned what to take, what not to take, what could be thrown away aw we go, and what could be bought at Walmart as we travelled.  Also where to pack things is important, things less used on the bottom, the most used things on top.  Which things can be worn for days, which things can’t, and which things we will never need.  All lists of their own, think of them as children of the main list, and they often times grew lists of their own.
I have  a quick checklist when I ride press bikes.  Adjust the mirrors, many don’t and never use them.  Triumphs don’t vibrate and the mirrors produce images you can see.  If it has a clock, or other settings, I set them.  One ride on a new Speed Triple R was harsh, until 2 clicks to the front forks smoothed it all out.  Now I check before riding off.  Does it have fuel?  Learned the hard way new bikes take a few miles before the miles to empty resets.  Makes me miss the old petcock.  But then ready to ride, I can go assured that the bike is ready, I am ready, look out road, here I come.  And I have preride checks for each day, for each bike, and for every couple weeks.  When I was a Service Advisor I used to tell my customers maintainance is expensive, but repairs always cost more, and not just in dollars.  Setting off with just enough tire, then riding more than I planned has put me at more than one dealer’s mercy.  So it is checklists are part of our lives, from riding to some and their TV schedules, from playlists on i-tunes, to grocery shopping.  But the one thing missing from all lists, that should be included, but is glossed over, is one that we neglect, either through pride or lack of patience.  Simple put, it is “None of the above.” 
And I find that many times when planning trips, I forget to include that one as a route.  Construction, weather, curves, or time constraints make me alter my course, and take roads not found on any map.  To places to ride, places to eat, people to meet, many of the best rides fall into the “none of the above” listing.  Life is like that also.  Prayer life in particular.  We go to God, who we claim knows everything, but limit him in our prayer.  “Please Lord give me this or that,” and then get upset when he doesn’t.  We don’t like the word no, two letters that can change any attitude instantly, alter any ride, and change our course.  But many times, we get “none of the above” from God as our answer, and we get upset.  Cheesed off.  And only in his grace and mercy do we later see why.  He had something better for us.  Something we couldn’t see, and many times so much better than we expected.  I am reminded many times of a trip back from Canada, and stopping in Reno.  Circus, Circus had huge signs, $19 rooms, that sounded like me.  Underground parking for the bike, cheap buffets, and low on funds, we took it.  Only to be greeted by a crowd lined up out the door.  Seems $19 rooms were on many other’s list that day.  We were about 400 in line from what I cold count, and spending the night in line became a potential reality.  The room was buzzing with impatient cheap travellers, when a woman stood up on the counter, “we are out of $19 rooms!”  And the mad stampede for the door almost crushed us.  And after a few minutes, when it cleared, she announced, “but we do have suites for $29.”  And being second in line, we got a great suite, with hot tube, corner room with windows and a great view.  And not being a gambler, put a quarter in a slot while waiting for the tram, and won $35!  Room and buffet paid for.  None of the above was not on my list that day, yet God had his own checklist prepared for us.  Lesson learned, now if only I can remember it. 
Try asking Jesus what he wants to do with your day.  Then obey.  He takes things up a notch for us, sometimes dragging us kicking and screaming through the day.  His first miracle was turning water into wine, which happens naturally with grapes.  But he used his own process, and the party was saved, the bridegroom never saying a word, and getting credit for saving the best for last.  But walking with Jesus we don’t need to wait for last, it starts when we accept him.  When we fall asleep in prayer each night, when we wake up continuing, and then “good morning Lord,” instead of “good lord, it’s morning.”  Love him in the morning, let him carry you through the day, and into the night.  Rest in his arms while asleep, and ask him into your plans everyday.  Maybe even be bold and ask him what they are.  Make prayer your preride checklist daily, and don’t be surprised if “none of the above” is the theme of the day.  For he loves us, and has better things for us than we can imagine.  The Kingdom is described as “eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor mind imagined...” and Jesus told his disciples to pray “thy kingdom come, thy will be done.”  Are we bold enough to trust him?  And we don’t have to wait for heaven, for he assurers us “on earth as it is heaven.”  Heavenly rides, days, trips to the store await us when we trust the Lord.  On our ride, it was the $19 room that got us in, but God had a $29 suite in mind.  don’t settle for less, make “none of the above” part of your prayer life today, and watch as the blessings flow from heaven.  Jesus loves me this I know....in many “none of the above ways.”  So he has a special term for it, agape, only love that God can give, with no conditions.  I’ve tried life my way, now “none of the above” is on my list, near the top.  Don’t limit a limitless God, he even had the way for the Tiger to get back from Colorado when I had open heart surgery.  He knows what lies ahead...and is ready.  Are you? Start your day with Jesus, and enjoy the ride.  Suddenly “none of the above” never looked so good.  The right box to check off for a loving God. 
love with compassion,
Mike
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