I learned yesterday that courtesy can be an important safety factor. As in letting a woman go first, and in this case giving her a wide berth to do it in. While leaving Staples, and waiting for traffic to pass so I could walk to my bike on the w-i-d-e crosswalk provided, I noticed a young mom pushing a carriage. Not just any carriage, but one of those double wide versions, with the big bicycle tires on it. Not unusual, but it only had one kid in it, who appeared to be somewhere between 3 years and Jr. High, who didn't quite fit in the seat. But piled next to him in the other seat, were blankets, a diaper bag, some water bottles, and attached to the side was another bag hanging off that appeared to be full. And it took all she could to push this thing, which reminded me of how we used to have to push a '68 Mercury we had when the battery would die. No wonder she appeared tired, and I had to look away, I didn't want to say hi to her and make her talk in between gasping for air. All this for a trip to Staples. I really must have underestimated you office supply shoppers!
Years ago when on a trip to Canada, I rode with a man who found the need to bring additional parts and supplies with him. Two quarts of Harley oil, in case they didn't have it across the border, a huge security chain-we crossed the northern border, not the southern one, and various tire repair, emergency flares, and first aid parts. At least he had loaded the bags evenly, as they both were bulging from the bottom under the weight, and had purchased a huge duffle bag to carry his things for the trip. Christopher and I had a tank bag and a back pack-with his toys in it. I still don't get it.
One time in my early stages of MMD, Mulitple Motorcycle Disorder, the Sprint RS had sat for a few months and the battery was low. Refusing to start after a gas stop, David offered to jump start me with his Gold Wing. Which had a tow rope, security chains, tire repair kits-tube and tubeless, jumper cables, a blanket, flares, and gloves and overalls so as to not get dirty. I've seen tow trucks that weren't as equipped, and all this on a motorcycle! And this was his everyday standard equipment! No wonder they pull trailers-filled with cases of bottled water, tents, sleeping bags, and various farm implements. Something is wrong here-and I don't think it is me!
Just look at the cars on your street parked on it, and not in their garages, and you see the overflow of stuff we accumulate. Storage Wars is a hot show right now, as when they can't afford to pay the rent, the stuff gets auctioned off, and then re-stored in someone else's garage. Where it finds its way into saddle bags, trailers, and baby carriages. And the cycle-not the motor kind, continues.
I sat next to a man the other day in a Bible study who was obviously into the studying part. As I sat with my Bible open, he opened his Bible case, which was stuffed with the notes they pass out at every service, and they were stuffed in between pages, in the pockets of the cover, and took up almost as much room in the case as his Bible. Something I have seen before. But I couldn't help notice how he had highlighted things in yellow, and as Doug started to teach, he began to highlight even more. Now I thought highlighting was so you could pick out a scripture from among the others-this guy needed to go to highlighters anonymous! On some pages, everything was yellow! At least his coloring was good-with no lines to stay within he had done a very good job. Now I am not against those who study the Bible, but you guys who are highlighting compulsive really must love to color. I was tempted to ask him to find a certain scripture for me, but his mind was somewhere else, so I skipped this chance to find out if he really could find the answers with his system.
Seems we are more compulsive than we think, or will admit too. One person buys a huge carriage, all the moms do. One overfills it, they all do. Sort of a Boy Scout overload project-Be Prepared. But I know that the more stuff you carry, the more you can become overburdened, and pretty soon the stuff controls you-like the girl guiding the carriage. And figuring in the time to load and unload this, a ten minute trip to Staples-where was she going to put anything she bought, turned into a 45 workout! EASY? Not for her!
The world is vying for our attention, and it will use anything and everything to get it. And it only has to get between us and God for a little bit, to throw us off track. To keep us from the full effect and blessing He wants to show us. These things can be subtle, or ingrained in us via TV commercials, or social peer pressure, but anything we put before God is a sin. And can lead us into it. And leave us wondering not only how did we get there-it was only a trip to Staples, but how do I get out of this? Take the time today to shed yourself of some baggage. As you lighten your load, you leave more room for God. Travel light like the apostles did, based on what Jesus told them to take. No money, a change of clothes, no food, and He would take care of the arrangements. And He still does today. How many things do we really need that serve no purpose? How many things do we carry that we can get as needed along the way? Do motorcycles really need to pull a trailer? And how much highlighting is too much? When do we start to underline the highlights?
Live life simply-like the gospel. If you cannot explain something simply, you obviously don't understand it. Stop trying to keep up with the Jones, and start hanging with Jesus. He walks with you, supplies all your needs, and His words are already in red, or orange in some highlighted versions. Keep the simple things simple, and the main thing the main thing. JESUS! Don't let Him get lost in the backpack or saddlebags of life. And if you must-at least put Him on top, where you can reach Him in a hurry!
A simple tip on packing, and baggage-and how to handle it in life, rather than it handling you! Just the highlights...if you please...
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com