It has been noted that as we get older, time seems to fly by faster. I used to think that maybe it was the time going faster, but now I am beginning to realize it is me getting slower. Some things about time haven't changed, but I have. Things that don't change-there are still only 24 hours in a day, and 144 in a week. If you sleep seven hours a day, you sleep a full two days a week. If you work a normal 50 hour work week, you spent another two days. And leaves you with only three days left in the week to catch up on the important things in life, like God and riding. And your family. And a good way to combine all of them is to ride to church with them. Only 90 minutes out of your week-but time we find so preciously unavailable.
Years ago I knew a man who worked for the Sweetwater School District. They had an incredible vacation plan, and after a few years on the job, got three weeks off. And they had 14 paid holidays off each year, including one of your choice. He laughed when they told him Valentines Day was one of the 14, he didn't have to use it for his personal day. Which left him working only 47 weeks a year, and getting paid for 52. Such a deal, sign me up-add in early retirement at 55, with full pension, and I'd be there. Except that...
Prisoners in the state of California get one day off their sentence for each day served. You can actually be guilty of manslaughter, get a seven years sentence for killing someone, and be out in 3 1/2 years on good behavior. About half the time it takes to get through college. And if you go to college while in prison-online, you can achieve both in record time. Who says crime doesn't pay? Maybe it's the hours, but that's another topic.
The fact is that time is the only true finite commodity, even in California where it used to be land, but with the big one coming, and people rushing to buy oceanfront property in Yuma, even that is shrinking. So time is the only finite commodity, and it is ticking fast. So maybe we should look at how we use it, to get the most out of it.
We have always left on vacations on a Friday night. It is easy to ride 300-350 miles after getting home, and it gives you another day on the road, unlike those who get a head start leaving at 2am the next morning. I never did get that. And who are worn out by noon. I like starting fresh that first Saturday, away from home, and have never had a vacation that started too early, just ones that ended too soon. And in California, we don't have three day weekends, we have four or five day weekends, as if you have the next Monday off, you are out of town Thursday. To beat the crowds, which are all on the road with you doing the same thing. But it is still time off. Yes-we do have three day weekends, they are just a normal two day with Friday afternoon off early, like about 10am in the morning.
And a few years ago a friend, who I now have no respect for, made fun of me for counting the days until our next trip. When I reminded him of only 28 days left until I left , he said "yeah, but only 45 until you get back." And of course, the great countdown began. And it always seems on the last Thursday off, you start to get back into your work mode. You remember the things you need to do at home, and the catching up at work-true, no one will ever do your job as well as you. And you begin to internally melt down, and lose a great California four day weekend as far as time goes.
There is a difference between waiting and delaying. I wait for Christmas, but nothing I can do will delay it. What day is it on this year? Same as last, the 25th. Not so easy with Thanksgiving. But yet our minds hurry as the vacation, or holiday approaches, and we don't enjoy it-they pass too fast. So some of the best advice I ever got was simply put-Jesus never hurried. He was never early, never late, always on time. And never had the stress we put on ourselves. He tells us to enjoy everyday, don't worry abut tomorrow, for it has problems of its own. But how many worry about this weekend, and end up messing up Friday?
On trips, some delays, have turned into blessings. While other times rushing got me into a situation where I had to wait. Sometimes you just can't win. But trusting God, you can win every time. You may get behind a slow old truck on a country road, but get to see what you might have missed at a faster speed. The beltways don't always save time, everyone takes them, and that is where the traffic jams first. Sometimes just pulling over and having a Coke and watching the traffic is the best way to spend a half hour-better than wearing out your clutch hand in traffic.
So trust God, don't hurry, and enjoy life more. You may even sleep better, but not necessarily more. You get to see things from His perspective, and spend time with Him-always a good thing. Jesus loves to ride, and on any road with you. But He also knows some great back roads, some neat cafes, and provides the time you need. Time with Him is like a day off-a better deal than even the school district. Everyday can be a holiday, and you cannot beat His retirement program.
Remember the beginning of Easy Rider, where Wyatt threw away his watch? I don't wear one either, so I'm never late. But don't wait to come to Jesus. You never know what tomorrow brings, and you may be wasting a special road with a special person. There will be no watches in eternity-I think I may have gotten a head start. No lines either, and everyday is today.
It is almost like my wish coming true-I wish there were only two days in the year, Christmas and Saturday. So enjoy the time you have-with Jesus, and watch as everyday is Christmas, and you get to ride every Saturday. Let's see, 365 days in a year, 183 Saturdays, that six months-of riding! Every year! I wonder, does Valentines Day still count as a holiday if it falls on a Saturday? So be ready like Ted. You never know when the weekend will strike.
Jesus is waiting for you-don't delay!
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogpsot.com
