We don’t have very many rules at our house, but we will let you know when
you break one. In a society that is so hung up on rules, regulations, laws, and
other factors to control us, it is nice to have only a few rules to live by.
And with less rules to obey, that also leaves you with less rules to break.
Which helps keep me out of trouble. But here are a few rules of our home, just
in case you happen to visit, and want to avoid persecution, or
prosecution.
Barney Fife once said the Mayberry jail had two rules, “first rule is obey
all rules.” Works here, except for variations on a theme, of which we will
remind you. Ask anyone in our family what our first rule is and they will tell
you “never argue with an idiot because you will never win.” Proven over and
over by me, so don’t argue, and to take it one step further, if you never argue,
you will never lose. Somehow a lesser opponent will wear you down long before
you wear them out. Your adversary knows you better than you do.
When you come into our home, we want you to feel welcome. That old Beverly
Hillbillies invitation of “take your shoes off, set a spell, y’all come back”
works here. But really if you do make yourself at home here, we don’t have to
wait on you. And we expect a bit of courtesy if using the refrigerator. If it
looks like I might eat or drink it, avoid it. See rule #1.
The next rules have to do with lifestyle, aka riding. The first is if you
can’t put gas in it, I don’t want to drive or ride it. We once owned horses
that I couldn’t ride. Those suckers knew it and my last ride was hanging on
while he raced to the barn, with a cattle guard between us. He stopped, smarter
than me, maybe why I won’t ride anything I cannot put gas in. But why would I
want to sacrifice all the horsepower of two wheels for only one? Now I admit I
admire Roy Rogers racing after the crooks on Trigger, but Roy still has to clean
up after him. So I’ll stick with my rule here. With one exception, I will not
give up my manhood for a Prius. Transgender, I mean hybrid cars do not interest
me. Either one or the other. Loud pipes save lives...please move your Prius
from the fast lane at 45!
My next rule to live by is if I can’t ride there, I am not interested in
going. Still waiting for the bridge to Hawaii to be built so I can visit the
50th. I don’t mind flying, I only find it a waste of time. And miss out on the
ride. Talking with a man a few years ago we had been to many of the same
places. Only he had flown, and only seen the airport, and the ride to the
hotel. And anything else a preprogrammed tour took him on. He was bragging
until I started mentioning places....seems the best ones you find by yourself.
Do you really go on vacation to spend it with other tourists?
If the bike starts, I ride. And if it won’t, jump start it. How many
starts to a trip have been interrupted at the last minute, when if you
maintained your ride it would start? And how many times has a cold morning
forced you into the car, your choice, only to regret it later? Things are
different in a car, and Theresa makes fun of me when I wave at bikes passing
by. No such laugh when I try to lane split her Mustang. Some of the best rides
started out when cold, removing layers during the day, ending up in perfect
weather. And too many have ended up with “I wish I had taken the bike...” when
they do. And you can always park facing down hill if you have to bump start
it!
But the number one rule around here, is really a question. In any decision
you have to make, where is Jesus in it? Too many times we have it all figured
out, or think we do, and God throws a curve at us. Rather than get upset with
him, too many folks first action, maybe ask “where is Jesus in the decision?”
We book rooms along the rides, but have become very flexible. The scripture
tells us “as you go” share the gospel, and as you go consult God on your ride.
We have missed detours, and also ended up in situations we didn’t know about and
were blessed because the spirit guided us elsewhere. Works on the road, also
when planning. And works in everyday life. Today we will make decisions, all
based on the one before it. If you don’t know where you are going, how will you
know when you get there? So why not consult the spirit first...and enjoy the
ride. Without worrying about it. Constantine once said “trust God and enjoy
life.” Good advice, but then why do you worry? Just when you think you have
trip planned, the day all laid out, something intervenes. If it somehow doesn’t
fit into your box, maybe God is trying to show you something. To draw you
closer. Live outside the box and in the spirit. We miss times when God is
trying to make a breakthrough in our lives when we don’t ask a simple question.
So, where is Jesus in your life? Who do you say he is? Ask yourself, you may
not like the answers others offer. Why worry when you could be blessed
instead? Nothing takes God by surprise....can you say the same?
So maybe Barney was onto something when he stated his first rule. Jesus
gave us only one, love him first and then others as ourselves. It is easy to
find fault when we are upset with ourselves. So find peace in Jesus, listen to
his spirit, and avoid the laws of man. One law, love Jesus, and then all other
things will be added on. So trust God, and if you want to argue with me,
remember rule #1. Sometimes I am that idiot, references upon request, and you
won’t win. So where is Jesus in your situation? Love, a rule I wish we would
all obey more.
And anyway, I can’t hear you with my full face Arai on anyway. Maybe the
best decision was to leave the car home after all.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com