In the 27 months I owned my R90S I accumulated over 47,000 miles. Quite a
feat considering the 55 mph National speed limit, and the fact it was down for
over two months from a blown engine and other maladies. But it got me safely to
New Mexico from Jersey, and was my ride in Albuquerque. My friend Leigh had its
little brother the R90/6, and wanted to ride the S, which I had always denied
him. But on one sunny Albuquerque spring day, I relented and we swapped bikes,
with John along on his GT550 Suzuki. We were gong to ride west, then come back
on Route 66, not iconic yet, to us just Central Avenue. and off we went,
deciding to stop for ice cream after the barrios of West Central and before
hitting the downtown. And this is where we met Count Varta, the German cousin
of Joseph Lucas, the British Prince of Darkness. Any Brit worth his fish and
chips knows of Lucas electrics, and the main reason they drink warm beer, Lucas
refrigerators. But then there is Count Varta, not royalty as the title Count
would lead you to believe, but really a warning, as you can count on Varta to
let you down anytime and anywhere when you most need him. Like when starting
your bike. The German maker of batteries, he is most needed on any ride that
start off with the electric leg to start the bike, so with every push of the
button, you don’t know if you can count on Varta. Hence the name. And
today....
We could count on Varta not to start. With three riders, but only two
bikes that started, we called up Gerald who came with his El Camino, and the S
rode home in the back. Usually a place reserved for dirt bikes, old Brit
bikes,and any year Harley, the Count would ride home in the back of a Chevy.
With Leigh on back. “I rode it out, I’ll ride it home,” which made quite a
sight for the 30 miles and almost 90 minutes it took to get home, through
cruising traffic and construction. And Leigh, complete in helmet with gloves,
in case he got pulled over,there was a helmet law then, rode the whole way on
the bike in the back. Never looking around, almost statue like in his
appearance. A sure viral video today, but in this pre-cell phone era, no photos
were taken. Arriving safe, and admitting many times John and I giggled
following them, Leigh rolled the bike off, and instinctively pushed the starter
button and the bike fired off. After an hour plus of the ignition on draining
the battery, he was using his turn signals and brake lights, so the key had to
be on, he took a quick victory lap around the block, and rode into the garage,
both rider and ride safe at home for the night. Lucas’s German cousin had been
counted on and failed miserably, just as expected. Now really, what would you
expect from the family of the Prince of Darkness?
We often fail to see the humor in our trials, but the one who sends them or
allows them sees things differently. Sometimes it is just to see our attitude
in handling them, sometimes to teach, other times for a witness. Very rarely do
we come to God needy and angry, usually just needy and meek, with a five minute
prayer when just one word “help!” says it all. When we admit our sin, repent,
as far too many problems are self induced, we see him answer and take care of
us. God is always ready to help, to forgive, and to get you going again, he is
gracious to give us what we need. But if you come to him angry, refusing to
repent, being prideful and angry at him for your situation, he returns your
harshness with sternness, if you are so darn good and proud, why don’t you fix
it yourself?
Jesus was once asked “where did you get the wounds of nail pierced hands
and feet?” His answer may have surprised the Jewish people as he replied “in
the house of my friends.” Seems the Jews were always coming God complaining
about something, thinking because they were chosen they should get preferential
treatment, particularly when it came to sin. A get out of jail free card for
sin, so to speak. In their pride and arrogance they found God just as hard to
them, seems the truth can be as refreshing as a cool drink, or as harsh as hot
coals. But God reminds them of a coming Messiah, yet they refuse to greet him
then, and many do the same today. The Prince of Darkness is thriving still
until the day he is thrown into the pit, but yet many give him the credit for
their hard times, rather than to the only God who can rescue them. I tire of
safe Christians who are always blaming Satan, really giving him the glory for
the situation, when if they turned to Jesus, the spirit will intervene and guide
them through. God is going to accomplish his purpose, you can come along and be
blessed, or be dragged along kicking and screaming, resisting God and seeing his
harshness in your rebellion. Many forget the promise that Jesus gave his
disciples when they set out across the lake, promising to meet them on the other
side. He didn’t say how, nor how he would walk through the storm, he only said
he would meet them on the other side. And when they accepted him into their
boat, in the midst of the storm, suddenly they were on the other side. Just
like when we accept Jesus, we can be assured we will see him on the other side
when we die, heaven. Yet some complain about the road to get there, ignorant of
the destination. We underestimate the kindness of God, just like we do the evil
of Satan. How you handle your situation tells about who you trust more, and who
you give the credit to. Still making excuses....think of then as lies, do you
want to hear them? Or would you rather hear the truth that sets you free?
That Sunday, God got us to where we were going, despite Count Varta. Yet
some count on the Vartas of life rather than the God of life. Leigh set out to
ride the S that day, and accomplished the feat, despite not knowing how it would
happen. He never gave up, determined to stay the course. To some it was funny,
some strange, to Leigh it made sense. Today you will have temptations come your
way. You can accept responsibility and turn to Jesus and let him guide, or
blame Satan, giving him more dominion in your life. God always leaves the
choice to us. The Brits may have become accustomed to warm beer, don’t ever get
used to a lukewarm relationship with God. It makes him sick, as Jesus throws
up, and spits that church and those people out of his mouth. Something to
consider the next time you talk with God. Both Jesus and Varta you can count
on, but only one will get you home. And when you get there, it is good to know
there is no place like it. Be it ever so humble, are you?
love with compassion,
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