life behind bars

For me it started at a young age, in my teens.  I was looking for more thrills than my sports teams could provide, and a freedom from all the rules that go with being a teenage boy.  Don’t touch, don’t look, don’t even ask, and no was quite often the response before the question was asked.  A trait passed down to me by my parents, but taken from a different perspective.  But here I was, with only paper route money, and money from cutting yards, but with that big no staring me in the face.  My best friend Bill had let me ride his mini-bike, then Ricky his Honda 50, and I was hooked.  All the fun of two wheels without all the pedaling, I liked that.  But it was to be BH, who for a few years was to be my best friend, who pushed me over the edge, when I rode his CL77 Honda, and I was hooked, and there was no coming back.  So it was only natural that I would have my own motorcycle soon, just not while living at home.  I was working, making $2.25/hour, big bucks in 1971, with gas still a quarter, and had saved $1000, enough to retire on, or so I thought.  And I lusted, I mean I had to have a motorcycle, and the arguments began, and continued.

It went from “no son of ours is going to ride one of those things,” to when you are 18 you can move out.”  Which evaporated towards the end of my senior year, as I turned 18, and even posted a sign in my room, for all to see, “_____ days left until I buy my motorcycle.”  Causing more arguments, and teaching me how money talks, parents talk louder, and I was going to be 18, just not soon enough.  And soon there were signs they were starting to cave, that went from NO way, to you can, but can’t live here, you can live here, but the bike can’t stay in the garage, and finally-it will be different, don’t get killed on that thing!  My persistence had won out...and soon all the work, the saving, and the wishing and hoping was to come true.

Ralph’s Honda in South Orange, NJ was an unauthorized Honda dealer, not unusual at the time.  He would buy bikes, and resell them as new, just not with a warranty, but at a discount.  To a kid who only understood money, the cheaper the better, this was OK, and fortunately being a Honda, I never had a problem with it, other than the time I rode to college without mufflers, or went to fast past the high school, or....I think you get it.  It wasn’t the bike, it was the nut behind the wheel.  But on my birthday, all the arrangements were made, and BH and I left school early, as was a common occurrence my senior year.  Stopping at Dot’s lunch,riding  two up on the CL, we were excited, and with $825 cash in my pocket, the purchase price for my new 1972 CB 350 K4 Honda, I was stoked, and ready to ride.  After a quick exchange of money, and pretending to listen to the break-in advice, we were off, I was riding, on my own motorcycle, and no one could stop me now.  I had started my life behind bars, handlebars,that would last a lifetime, call it a life sentence, and all the threats, and negotiations were behind me, I was riding, was this all real or just a dream?

My life behind bars was to become a lifelong obsession, with more power, more speed, and a greater desire to go farther driving me.  Soon life behind bars was to take me to BMW motorcycles, my first one an R60/5, which my father actually thought was a good idea, the first of 5 I was to own, and the the first of many interstate travels I was to go on.  My life behind bars even influenced my dating, as if she didn’t ride, I didn’t care, with a few notable short term romances, proving my point.  So when it was time to go to Florida, BH and I left behind bars, and almost ended up behind bars in Florida, but left still riding, the only bars I chose to spend time behind.  And over the years, and various motorcycles, and after over 600,000 miles, it is safe to say almost 2/3rds of my life has been spent behind bars.  With no commutation of sentence in sight, riding to live, living to ride. 

But along the way, Jesus came into my life, and my death sentence due to sin was commuted, I was found not guilty and pardoned from my sin by Jesus, via His death on the cross.  I had found freedom in riding, now I had real freedom, even when not behind bars, the handle type.  A freedom to do as I wanted, but with the responsibility to not do what I want, based on not wishing to sin any longer.  And soon this real freedom effected all aspects of my life, riding and other.  I found in Christ what I had been looking for in all other things, and He never has let me down, although I have Him many times.  But He forgives me and still loves me, proving what He says in the scriptures about His never ending, unconditional love.  All the rules, regulations, threats, and reprisals couldn’t give me what Jesus had, and still does today.

You may not have spent time behind bars like I have, you may have spent time in front of a bar, wasting away and not knowing it.  Turn to Jesus now, and find He is the way out, and what you have always been looking for.  You may even be behind bars, doing time.  He forgives you there too, but you still have a debt to society to pay.  And He can and will use your presence in prison to show His love.  Wherever you are, He is, He  has never left you, nor will He ever forsake you.  Unlike friends and motorcycles, He will never let you stranded.  I know, I have tried, and failed-his love is that great for us, and cannot be explained in words-you need to experience Jesus to experience grace...so what are you waiting for?

I have been riding most of my life, but my life really began the day I accepted Jesus into my heart.  No religious ceremony, no bells, whistles, or applause, I quietly told Him I needed Him, please help me.  I wasn’t much, still not much either, but in Him I have everything, and He loves me...will you let Him rescue you and love you today?  All bars including handlebars are not made of steel, some exist only in the mind.  Which can be the worst, that is why He says to trust Him, and we are saved by faith.  And unlike Ralph’s Honda, He is authorized, and can do all the warranty work you need-forever.  For me it started at a young age...when will it start for you?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com