Ride to eat, and eat to ride. Not a bad philosophy to live by. And when you consider the fun that goes with it, a great way to spend time, on and off the bike. And fun can come in many different ways. Take Oreos and milk. Not just Oreos, for it is a meal unto itself. Cold milk, cold Oreos that are kept in the refrigerator-oooooh! But for those who are lactose intolerant, and who have never tasted chilled Oreos, just warm Oreos are ok too. We understand. Twinkies though can be had with or without milk, or warm or cold. Again I prefer the chilled ones, and with milk when available. And they are thoughtfully packaged in a 10 pack, the perfect sized compliment to any meal, or that pre-dinner snack when the affects of a 2000 calorie burger and fries has worn off. Fun to eat, fun to anticipate, and fun just thinking about it!
San Luis Obispo, aka Nabisco by my mother-in-law, has a great Thursday night Farmer's Market. With live bands, fresh produce, and lots of food, there are many ways to have fun. Do I butter my mustache with the broiled corn on the cob first? Or get my fingers sticky with the pulled pork sandwich? How much fresh lemonade can I really drink? And why not start this roving meal with a huge cinnamon bun? Ah, the decisions we are forced to make. And all it takes a good hand and face washing to get rid of the tastes, hours later. All done without a fork in sight! Just like Oreos and Twinkies-eaten with your hands. Real food eaten like the pioneers did.
The past two weeks I have had a 2012 Speed Triple R to ride, and when forced to take it back at 1000 miles, ok 1200, I decided to ride my 1978 Suzuki GS1000. Which 35 years ago was the Speed Triple of its day. After wheelies, stoppies, and going faster in turns than I ever had, I had to change my pace on the Suzi. Until it changed my pace-and started leaking oil at the head gasket, and running bad-no power. And it bummed me when I found out it would take $700 to fix, it might as well have been $7 million. So I prayed, after a short time of trying to figure it out. Even had Herm check the points and timing. Just in case God needed any info for His diagnosis when I finally gave the problem to Him.
Waking up the next morning, the Suzi was still down, and so was I. But God reminded me of how in the past on carbureted bikes, you could drain the carbs, and any water and dirt would flow out. So I did, and surprise, after seeing dirt and water in the gas, and a shot of brake cleaner to remove any residue, the carbs were clean and the bike ran great. In fact better than ever before. I had been making excuses for its age, when age was not the problem. Something I need to remember as I get older too. God's idea was the right one. So I just had to take it for a quick ride-it ran so good now. So wiping off the oil residue so it wouldn't coat my jeans again, I went for a ride, ok a 70 mile I'm having fun and checking for the leak ride. But the oil leak was gone! Not a trace! God had healed my bike! And 650 miles later, it still is not leaking! Praise God! Glad to know that He can fix things too, as well as lives!
And the fun is back in riding. Not that it ever fully left, but the worry that the leaks had caused had robbed my happiness. But not my joy, for God gently reminded me that when He is present, there is joy. To look to Him, and not the situation. And how He has prepared good works for us in advance. To some, a broken, old bike. To me, an expensive problem. But to God, who knew it was going to happen, a way to show His love, grace, and mercy to me. Already planned and the fix ready, He was just waiting on me!
Walk in faith with Jesus today, fully expecting His grace and mercy to be there when you need it. In fact so many times it is there, we don't see it, as God is always protecting His children. My own understanding was how much and how long would it take. God's answer was grace. Love. Compassion, and joy. So live life fully expecting God to take care of your problems. Seek Him first, not after the pain of worry has ruined your day. For I have found that no matter what I ride, when Jesus rides with me, the joy is everywhere. So I look to Him in everything.
Which includes Oreos and Twinkies. And the next ones will be a special thanks, and a remembrance of what Jesus has done in my life. Communion, if you will. Oreos for the bread-His body. And milk, for His blood, spilled for us. In remembrance, for it is not what you eat, but why, and with who. It is still all about Jesus, and we should all pay Him honor more often. Fun with Jesus we'll call it, communion with the living God. Praise and worship with Oreos and milk. I wonder if He likes His cold like me?
Either way-it's all about Jesus!
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot