About two hours from now, after reading and writing, eating my bowl of
cereal and giving the last milk to Tessio, she and I will find ourselves sitting
out in the garage, door up, and the sun warming us. As Tessio sniffs the air to
find out what went on last night, I sit and warm myself enjoying last night’s
Perry Mason that I recorded. Zipping through the commercials, for the next 45
minutes some walkers will go by, we acknowledge the beautiful morning, and all
is well with the world. A habit I started eight years ago, what a great place
to start the day, surrounded by your two and four wheeled friends, the sun
beating down on your back, and your faithful dog right beside you. The air
smells fresh first thing in the morning, and with just enough motorcycle smell
to enhance it, life doesn’t seem to get any better. I have done my writing,
read a few devotions, read the Bible during my constitutional, and spent some
time in prayer and reflecting with Jesus. And now, it’s just me and Perry, to
see how he wins the battle for the falsely accused, all in the comfort of my own
garage. With a nod to Steve McQueen.....
You see it was Steve who used to wake up every morning at his Santa Paula
Airport hangar where he lived, throw open the door, and greet the day. Friends
would stop by and have coffee, some bench race, and some to solve all the
problems of the day. It was his private hideaway, right out in the open, where
he was among planes and motorcycles, his old pickup, and for a few minutes could
just be Steve, without all the notoriety that went with being the coolest guy on
earth. So it was, and Theresa and I often talked of a similar setting for us, a
dream for later, that never came, until one day I realized that everything I had
wanted, I already had right here. My own hangar of sorts to greet the world, a
garage full of motorcycles and her Mustang. Tessio at my feet, and the sun
warming us up, all on a quiet cul-de-sac. I was so busy dreaming of what I
wanted that it camoflaged what I already had, and the blessings of God tying it
all together. Life is like that sometimes, we want so badly what we don’t have
we don’t appreciate what we do have. I may not have the notoriety of Steve, nor
do I even desire it, privacy is a good thing, but we share something more
valuable, a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Right before he died he
met Jesus, and found real life. At times we think we have it all in our things,
but in those sunny mornings I am always reminded that all I ever need, all I
ever desired, is found in Jesus. No better way to start the day......and then
go for a ride.
I only wish I had learned this lesson earlier in life, for in it are the
blessings and peace found only in Christ. As Christians we either withdraw from
the world, to keep its stain from leaving its mark on us, or enter it, trying to
dominate it. The love of power rather than the power of love, we step over
small blessings while seeking larger and more satisfying ones, unaware that we
are also stepping over Jesus on the way to do it. Remember the rich man
stepping over Lazarus each morning, how many Lazaruses do we step over every
morning? Are we so ready to find our own way that we neglect God’s way? Do we
seek things instead of the spirit, missing times that God has set aside just for
us, and him. You see there is something about home that there is no other place
like it, and when we realize our real home and citizenship is in heaven, that we
are only visiting or journey in here for a short while, we can get a heavenly
perspective, and enjoy life more where we are. And for each one of us it is
different and personal, with me it’s a 20x20 garage with bikes and a car, and
Tessio. I don’t need a mansion, although one awaits me in heaven, I have found
the peace and contentment in what Jesus has provided here. Some may argue that
a dog is man’s best friend, to them I say “you haven’t met Jesus.” A true
friend.....So throw open the garage door of your heart to him, let the sun and
the son shine in, and enjoy what you have. And today what I don’t have...you
cannot worship at the altar of both.
This is maybe a good time to ask yourself whose influence am I under? It
is hard to live in the world and not be of it, but Jesus reminds us we have
overcome the world in him. And in some small way I am able to influence my
world every morning. My attitude is peaceful as I get on with my day, I have
spent time with God, not some holy religious setting, but two friends just
hanging out. Seems the best times I spend anymore are the quieter ones where we
can spend time together, letting others deal with the world, while I can deal
with Jesus. A blessing I cannot find words to describe, if you know you know
what I mean. So start your day with Jesus, enjoy the warmth of the sun on your
back, and the son in your life. Appreciate what you have, and sit back and
watch Perry win cases you thought hopeless. I don’t need Steve’s riches and
fame to find all I need in Christ Jesus, don’t wait so long like he did. Life
is precious and only Jesus will wake you up to that fact. In about two hours
Tessio and I will greet the sun, I have already spent time with God’s son. He
knows your heart, get to know his and let the blessings flow.
OK, Tess, I’m almost done. Seems it works for her too, hope it works for
you, too.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com