Lessons from a bike ride

So we decided to embark on a bike ride the other day. It was beautiful and sunny and, as you can imagine, 2 energetic boys were raring to get outside and go. The thing is, that particular day the boys just did not have their hearts in the ride. We were on a different trail than we'd been on before, and they were--to put it bluntly--being slow. Luke was at least pedaling, but Jack was really lagging behind and kept saying he was about to go fast when approaching a minuscule "hill" so then he would brake. I think all this stemmed from a few weeks ago when Jack had a certain incident with a light pole in our neighborhood; he just hasn't ridden the same since. But all this to say that our little jaunt in the woods made me think on some interesting concepts about life and God. Here are some of the things we found ourselves saying...

• Don't be afraid


• Keep your eyes on the path ahead of YOU (not on the person beside or behind you)


• Keep pedaling--even on the hills


• Don't give up


• You CAN do it (through Christ)


• Watch out for other people


• You have to steer (take a step of faith)


• I am right next to you


• I won't let you fall (or when you do, I'll pick you back up again)


• We're almost there

I don't know. Maybe there's not as much theology on the bike trail as I think. But it made me think that day. It made me think about how God is with us, coaching us, all along this path of life. He truly does care about every direction we go. He guides us (when we listen). He saves us. He changes us.

Maybe next time the bike ride will be a little bit easier. Soon I'm sure they won't want us to walk beside them for that extra security. So I'll enjoy it now. But I do hope they always know that they are never alone in this world. Never alone.