Waking up after San Diego got deluged with its first rain since March 27th,
reports claim as much as 1/10th of an inch in places, with some remote places
with more. Seems the deluge is over for now, Ms. Latte driving SUV will be out
in force, and anywhere except the highways will be safe. The roads will be
absent of motorcycles today, as only a few hardy, read that hard core riders
will brave the elements. Or the poor driving characteristics of our drivers.
But a few weeks ago in Colorado, things were different. Riding over three, then
four passes at over 10,000 feet, we encountered dozens of motorcycles, from full
dressers in the curves to adventure bikes crowding the downtown of Telluride.
They were mostly in large groups, we were in a group of two, and dressed for the
weather in our rain suits, even when the temp stayed in the low 40’s, it didn’t
slow anyone down. Just a hint of 40 degrees and sun here will ground most
riders, there it just brings us out. For over 150 miles we braved the weather,
fog, motorhomes, and wildlife enjoying the ride. If you never have ridden in
the rain, in a good rain suit, you just don’t know what I mean. And if you are
from So Cal.....
But rain is a part of riding anywhere but here, seems there is a rumor out
that chrome will rust if it gets wet, so the Harley crowd stays home and inside
polishing it. I love it when pulling up to a Harley rally and see only Toyota
trucks when it is raining. Proudly displaying the badge and shield logo. Some
own, some ride. But that day in Colorado we saw dozens if not more Harleys,
riding in the rain. Chrome and all. Waving and from behind their windshields
all you saw was smiles. All waving in the corners, riding for the conditions,
but unconditionally riding. Today it may rain again here, look out for
potentially wet areas, and the only question is what shall I drive? I mean,
which bike do I take...for of all bikes that shouldn’t rust it should be a
Triumph, where in jolly old England they have sun breaks. Even The Beatles sang
of getting a tan in the English rain, and we are not the egg men. Koo koo ka
joo!
But he who controls the storm doesn’t stay home out of it either. Coming
into Rico above 10,000 feet, steady but not deluging rain, suddenly a huge buck
headed down a hill towards me. No place or time to stop. And a suddenly as he
appeared, he did an abrupt about face, and headed back up the hill, just missing
me. The one thing I don’t like about riding in the mountains is wildlife, but
it is where the live. A bit shaken, but thankful and worshipping God for
protecting me, he later asked me, “do you know why I had you narrowly avoid the
buck?” The trained or taught responses filled my head, but is answer was right
on. “To show you I have everything under control.” A reassuring thought no
matter where or what you ride, no matter the weather, or the situation. So many
of us have each others back, only God has our sides too.
No matter your financial, political, social, or motorcycling clout, you
have no control over the weather. And to be truthful, not many of your
situations. We think we do, but the unknown is what only God is prepared for.
That day I had no idea of how he would intervene, but he did. Nothing escaped
him, and even though the rain may fall on the just and the unjust, he appears in
situations just to show how much he loves us. Even on sunny days...as he did
when riding trials bikes with Gerald one day. Way up in the foothills of
Albuquerque where we had no right to be riding, the trail suddenly went away,
and I started to fall to the left, with only 500 feet of rock and downhill to
stop me. I cried out “Jesus save me!” and I felt a huge hand stand me back
upright, put the bike back on the trail that was there again, and we rode on.
Stopping at the first place we could, Gerald was real excited, “did you see
that, you were going over and it was like a huge hand just scooped you up and
set you straight!” What he saw, I felt. Such is the love of our Lord!
So next time you brag about how God has everything under control, be aware
he just might show you. What bragging on him can be really bragging on us, and
he knows the difference. When we give Jesus all the preeminence, we get all the
blessings. And even in the rain, we can see his handiwork. Like one morning
riding under the New River bridge in West Virginia. A 45 second ride across, 45
minutes going down and under. After a stop to put on rain gear, and watch the
downpour, it turned to a drizzle and we rode off. With both of us commenting on
a stop of how God had sent the rain to bring out all the colors of the trees and
flora, and how beautiful the rain had made it all. Without the rain we would
have missed out on more of God’s handiwork, so for me, “if it’s pouring, I’m,
loving it.” For I know my God is bigger than the weather he sent. Beautiful
for every situation. Knowing that just as the rain falls on the just and the
unjust, so does the sunshine. But it is the precious times in the midst of the
storm, inside my Frog Togs and inside my fogged up Arai, I know he will get me
through. There are no snow days in heaven either.
So as the sun breaks through the clouds, as the roads dry, my choice for
riding today is made easier. I have a new Tiger 800 XCX that needs miles.
Knobbies and all, before it goes back to Triumph. The perfect bike for the
perfect day, even when weather is imperfect. But knowing I have the perfect
God, my best friend Jesus with me, reminds me how special his love is. In the
midst of the storm he is with me, just don’t forget how he loves those sunny
days too! Somehow with the added bonus of the freshness of the air after the
rain, and the abundance of green. God’s love is pouring out, and I’m loving
it!
Meanwhile in the news, So Cal experienced a heavy rain last night, with
accumulations up to 1/2 an inch...I wonder what Noah would have to say about
that? Of course it wasn’t raining when he built the ark either....
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com