I was sitting with a couple riding GSXR 1100’s on the ferry from Cape May
to Lewes, Delaware. It was choppy, cold, and after riding 150 miles in heavy
rain, I kept thinking it has to get better. They had their daughter along and
had taken the day off to go riding, and were doing a loop they had done before.
As I watched the white caps, the bikes rising and falling as the boat pitched, I
was a bit on edge, they just sat enjoying the ride. It didn’t seem the weather
or the ride was fazing them, if you want to ride in Jersey this is the weather
you must do it in, and they wanted to ride. So did I, but all I could see was
the clouds and feel the cold, they saw the ride and the road ahead.
Delaware is flat, and marshy where we landed, the April showers had yet to
bring May flowers, the marsh grasses high and waving in the wind. But ahead was
sunshine, and in a few miles, off came the rain suit, and a late lunch at a
Sonic in the middle of nowhere called. The lot was filled with cars going to a
game, as the cheerleaders and players were in line getting food. Not a care in
the world, as they laughed, joked, and were having fun. I wondered if I ever
had that much fun in high school, in just a few years they would be facing
storms like I had in riding that day. I wanted to reach out and tell them “this
is the best time of your life, enjoy it while you can,” but it was not my part.
And as I ate my burger and fries, a voice told me the same thing, “this is the
best time of your life, enjoy it while you can.” As I packed my rain suit for
the ride ahead, I looked at it differently, a road in an area new to me, which
suddenly looked exciting and promising. What did the couple on the GSXR’s know
I didn’t? What did the students teach the old teacher?
So many things in life are new to us, but are normal. We don’t always
readily greet them with open arms, but with closed fists. We don’t like
different, it ruins our plans, makes us take detours, put on rain suits, and
seek shelter from the storm. Yet I was reminded that if you want to ride, rain
is part of it. Every boat ride will not be smooth, and in the midst of your
situation, there will always be someone having just too much fun for you to
handle. Thinking it is all aimed at you can be too much. But it is and was
your choice to ride, to go by boat, to stop and eat, the world doesn’t revolve
around you, we carry rain suits for when and if it rains, and we deal with the
conditions, they don’t deal with us. Somewhere between Cape May and Lewes,
Delaware I was reminded of why I ride, why others ride, and that every ride is
different. And if you want to ride, you deal with. A thought I was to remember
for the next 2500 miles of rain and cold....
I arrived home safe, but worn out and cold. And would ride again, carry
the same rain suit, dread putting it on, be glad I had it when I did, and vow to
never ride in rain again. At least until the next time..
John Lennon, poet, musician, philosopher, and keeper of Yoko, once said
“life is what happens to your plans,” no matter what you plan. Yoko may be the
ultimate example of that. But we start each day anew, having rested and given
another chance to serve God. To show the world the creator we brag about, to
show love and compassion to a dying world who needs Jesus. While John sang of
how “instant karma gonna get you,” we know that God has plans for us. Which
include storms, rain, unknown roads, and danger. How we look at them is our
choice. Some wake up in fear, some in anticipation of a great day. Some just
wake up, some never do. But God doesn’t abandon us, he whispers in our ear
“this is the best time of your life, enjoy it while you can.” How many times I
had looked ahead to the cloudless skies, dry roads, and warm temps, missing out
on letting God take me through the storm, showing me his love, and letting him
be God. Because things didn’t go my way, I got down, forgetting it must rain to
have a rainbow, a sign from heaven of love from God. That he takes us through
the storm, not around it. We look for a way out, an escape, a plan B, when his
is plan A the whole time. Scripture tells us the rain falls on the just and the
unjust, while the farmer prays for rain for his crops, I pray for sunshine for
my ride. Somehow God provides both, if only we can see it his way.
I have a ride ahead of me today, it is cloudy and cold, drizzling. But I
need to return the bike for a photo shoot, I need to keep my end of the
bargain. Already I am praying for warmth and sunshine, but will make the trip
irregardless. And God will get me through, I know, just not my desire, but
his. So my mental attitude is changing, the ride looks better and better, and I
can dress for it. Why would I complain about taking back a press bike and
getting another? How many envy me for just being able to ride them? Lord, help
me with my attitude....
So when you wake up, it is either “good Lord it’s morning,” or “Good
morning Lord.” Your choice. An attitude that may set the tone for the day.
The ride. A new way to look at the storm. Maybe even thank him for the rain
for the crops. Last weekend on a less than perfect ride to Monterey and back, I
rode almost 1000 miles in cold, rain, high winds, and drizzle. I was upset at
the weather, and for going when I knew the forecast. But riding through
Salinas, and seeing the field workers in the cold and rain, gathering up crops,
I felt compassion towards them. That was the life they were given, they had
chosen given the facts. It put food on their table and Levis on the body. Six
or seven days a week, just to get by, and start all over again. I was humbled
by and for them, I was out for a ride. How different we each faced the day. My
next salad will taste much different.
Today you may be somewhere between Cape May and Lewes, Delaware. The ride
may be choppy, you may be cold. But like Jesus told his disciples, that he
would meet them on the other side, he never told them about the storm, and how
they would get there. If so, they would have taken another route at another
time. Peter would not have walked on the water, and pastors would have one less
scripture to quote. But in the midst of the storm Jesus appeared, got into the
boat with them, and suddenly they were on the other side. Someday we will also
cross over to the other side, but only in Christ Jesus will it be heaven. Then
will we look back at how he got us there, the miracles, the love and
forgiveness. So why wait....you see we made it to Lewes with no problems
despite the situation. Despite my worry and concerns, we made it to the other
side. A gentle lesson in the storm about a loving God. And how if it can
happen in New Jersey, it can happen anywhere. With Jesus on board.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com