Pedaling With Peace

It was an extremely cold and windy day. The sun shone bright, but it alone was unable to warm my wimpy southern California frame. It had to be 55 degrees out, and with the wind chill it might have been as low as 49.

One of my goals this year is to regularly ride my bike. I want to ride 100 miles a week. I want to do 2-4 events a year. I would love to ride to San Francisco in the next year.

The best days on my bike would include blue skies, winds from the south at about ONE mile per hour and temperatures as low as 65 no higher than 70 - I’m flexible, if nothing else. That was not going to be the case today. I was just finishing tidying up the backyard while trying, with all my might, to mentally prepare for today’s ride. It wasn't going to be easy.

Goal for the day: 26 miles at a rate of 12-13 mph. (I’m fairly new to this and currently have a mountain bike with thicker wheels so this is a fair challenge).

As I pull out of the drive I swing my right leg over the seat, adjust the volume on my iPod and set out for a 26 mile ride. I have already managed to pedal 25, well maybe 10. Okay, here's the thing,  I've pedaled three “feet” when I realize I need another pair of cycling pants because the ones I own hit just below the knees and my calves are freezing!  My face is cold too. It is so windy one could lean into the wind without falling. The fact that I've made it this far is impressive, and were I to turn around right now and call it a day, no one could blame me. Unfortunately – or shall  I say fortunately - I had recently watched The Biggest Loser’s opening show for the 2013 season and all I can hear is a voice in my head that sounds much like the voice of  Jillian Michael's  yelling, “What are you, a wimp?!” and  “I’ll personally kick your bleep if you get off that bike!”   So I pedal up the street to the riverbed opening and assure myself that once I get pumping my legs will warm up. If I can actually pump!  Because it’s SO flipping WINDY!

I’m at my start point. I reset my bike computer, click on my iPod and take off … slowly, and with great effort, and I’m thankful for the voice of determination as-well-as the voice of Peace.   The wind howls. I’m frustrated and I feel burdened because there is no way I am going to be able do 12-13 mph. I’m angry and feel defeated.  Just then, the sweet voice of Peace saves me with the reminder that all I have to do is; pedal. “It may take longer, but you’ll still do your twenty-six. Just pedal and ENJOY this ride." 

Some days, weeks, even months are like that aren't they?  It’s all we can do to put one foot in front of the other.  The beauty is … that’s all He asks.

So, in pursuing our dreams and visions, let’s stay the course. Be it, one lyric; one page; one stroke of the brush; one customer; one call; one close; one class; one pound; one meal; one prayer; one day; one mile; one step;  or, one pedal at a time.  It is, after all, one more than we had before.

I am learning that most of the burdens/obstacles in my life are merely a figment of my imagination.

“For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” - Matthew 11:30

A Good Witness

Two weeks have passed and I’m still walking in the afterglow of the New Year with a desire, which will not yield, to encourage others.  I remember reading an article a year or so ago about a guy who’s website became a great success with people reporting stupid, mean, rude, and embarrassing moments about others. I was astounded by the delight these people took in degrading others. This motivated me to start seeking the good, kind, polite, and proud moments in life. I wondered what kind of change I would undergo if I, with intent, sought only these qualities in people.

   

Unfortunately, one need not search out the repugnant and crude for they pursue with avidity. One must pull their eyes, ears and heart away from the adverse in order to clearly focus on the positive.  I will tell you now – it’s a heart thing.  For in each lies good and bad, strength and weakness – the choice is ours.

Along with giving thanks, I’m pledging each day to make a conscientious effort to take notice of something good --  whether it is an act of kindness, or be it something I read about someone doing -- and share it with others.  I’m not talking just heroics, but also, the ordinary day-to-day nice things people do.

I would love it if you would join me in posting the kind acts you've witnessed done by others, and then personally share it with someone else.  A trickle effect awaits us!

A good witness:  The other day on the bike path a fellow rider was repairing a flat tire when I witnessed another rider slow down and ask if he had everything he needed. 

“Seek good, not evil, that you may live.” – Amos 5:14

Stepping Out And Taking 2013

Saying goodbye to a passing year comes easy for me. I love the feeling of a clean slate. Like shaking an Etch-a-Sketch until it reveals no evidence of past designs and configurations, I am ready to step out into 2013 with a renewed mind and spirit.

I have determined that 2013 will be a year of minimal waste. My goal is to leave 2013 behind with little regret and many accomplishments. I resolve to make the most of every single day.  

So today I am, “Writing the vision and I’m making it plain, that I may run with it!” – Habakkuk 2:2.

I hope you are encouraged to do the same. If there is something God has put on your heart I implore you too to step out in faith and just do it. It’s scary, at least it is for me, yet I don’t want to come to the end of the line with a big bag of, “I wish I’d done.”  

One of the most encouraging verses for me comes from Joshua 1:31, “Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you.” It’s actually sitting there waiting for us! All we have to do is step out and take it.

Happy 2013!