We stopped in the local Harley store to get a t shirt for Mick, and talking
with the sales girl, she asked where we were from. “San Diego,” to her another
world, as she was in Kalispell, Montana. She naturally assumed we were in a
car, our first vacation in one in 41 years of marriage, and when I mentioned
this, she commented about not taking a vacation in a long time, referring to
us. But when I explained we had ridden in 48 states and the nearby Canada, she
appeared confused, and when I mentioned I was working on my second million
miles, she said “that’s a lot of miles. You must go a lot of places.” Funny
how 48 didn’t impress, but two did. I guess it is hard to count 48 on your
fingers and toes....
But as a life long motorcycle rider, she was right, we have seen a lot. I
cannot say I started out like that, I just hope I end up like that. And all the
in between miles too. But we did travel this year by car, and we both survived,
I actually did better than Theresa thought, only waving to other riders a few
times, but found it hard to talk with other riders when we stopped being in a
car. Somehow it gave me no credibility, at least in my mind. Why would I
change, why would I tell others about my high mileage, then go back to the car?
If I wasn’t impressed, how could the others believe me? Now not everyone has
the seasons we do, or rides as much as we do, but long ago found the $20k and 20
miles don’t make you a biker, more fact than humor. And when talking with
touring bike rider loaded down, our little Soul looked almost pathetic, I had to
keep telling myself I was OK, and that I really did do all those miles and
places, and had many more rides left to ride. But most of all was coming to
grips with the fact I really was enjoying being in a car. Now if mental illness
is described as doing the same thing and expecting the same results, I ride and
enjoy it each time, will I have the same mental impairment in a car? Did I stop
riding because I got old, or now will I get old because I am not riding as
much? Or is it possible, God is taking me on a new journey in my
life.....
Or maybe reminding me to recognize and thank him for what he has done, is
doing, and will do, in a car. Mentally I had to adapt to four wheels, but still
yearn to ride. If you get it, I won’t have to explain. The freedom, the
thrill, and the enjoyment of two wheels is unique, I have driven fast cars like
a Maserati, Boss Mustangs, and various muscle cars, a rush but not quite the
thrill of two wheels. Maybe it time for me to stop whining and face the reality
of four wheels, and be more thankful. But the question remains, can a long time
biker find love on four wheels?
Jesus tells he is the truth that sets us free. Many years ago, we had an
assistant pastor named Rick, an older man who had been in a mainline religion
for years, and got saved. Suddenly all he had done denominationally lost its
value when confronted with the truth of who Jesus is. He was able to minister
in a unique way because he had known religion intimately, but now knew Jesus
intimately. Not down on his old denomination, but thrilled with the joy of a
life filled with the holy spirit and of a personal relationship with Jesus.
When others tried to defend religion, he knew first hand, he had been there. No
book learning alone, he had lived it for decades, and his testimony carried some
weight. He had ridden the miles of organized religion, and now was embracing
his new life in Christ. He would tell you he wished he had met Jesus earlier,
but wasn’t looking back, just ahead. Maybe a message to all of us, and to me
adapting to four wheels.....
My close friend FR. Al resides in heaven now, after many years as a priest
often at odds with the Catholic church, who he ministered in. He would serve
communion to all who desired it, was told by some he spent too much time in the
Old Testament, he loved the Psalms, others claimed he spent too much time in the
New Testament and the gospels. Too born again. Seems he couldn’t please
everyone, so he tried to please God. We communicated often, and once when
offered a bishop’s position, asked me to pray, as he had so much going on with
the Flight 93 Memorial Chapel. But his answer later showed his true character,
“if God offered it to me, he will be the one to see me carry it out. And so
many Catholics need to know Jesus.” In his final years after being healed twice
miraculously from cancer, he opened up the Chapel every Sunday to whatever
church group wanted to use it for praise and worship, and had healing sessions.
So why am I fretting about a new life ahead?
And so I find it is OK to ride in a car, to tour in one. If God ordains
it, so be it. Maybe the novelty of traveling in a car will be fun, I know it
was for our 16 days and 6377 mile 16 state trip. So if an old rider can find
peace with God in a car, why can’t those stuck in religion find peace in
Christ? My heart hasn’t changed, much, just my attitude towards cars. Taking
the car isn’t a sin, denying Christ is. Something I need to remember the next
time I travel on four wheels, AC on, tunes playing, and still waving at riders.
Both Rick and Fr. Al followed Jesus until death, going places neither one ever
thought they would go. Who am I to not trust the God who loves me so much he
sent Jesus to die for me? Now if only the thrill of walking in the garage and
seeing the car is as much as seeing the bikes....and never losing sight of
Jesus.
Can a long time rider find love on four wheels? I found love in Jesus
Christ, the rest ought to be easy. I’ll keep you updated. Matthew 25 car
ministries.....nah...
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com