It Takes Two
My daily work-out routine has included 20 minutes on the stationary, moving-arms bicycle then 40 minutes on the elliptical equipment. But adjustments were required for that routine when the old sciatic nerve started acting up from sitting too long on the bicycle. Shish! Who likes to admit having to adjust our life-routines because of body changes? I don’t, but I just did! Arrgh!
It’s not just the aging factor that requires us to make adjustments. Sometimes it’s family schedules, work requirements and other responsibilities. I’ve watched that in my family in this last year. My Austin family sold their property and home in Bee Cave, TX, and have lived in a rental property while their new home is being built. Their youngest son has commuted a distance to be in the school district of the new home. I have been the back-up chauffeur for him. We’ve adapted to the routines and now, the home is almost finished, and the school year has almost ended. We’ve made it!
Then there’s my daughter and husband who sold their home and moved into their RV on their 60 acres in East Texas. Whew! Talk about adjustments! They have just recently moved into the home they built for themselves, as well as have brought tiny homes to the property for those being ministered to. Making adjustments is called LIFE!
I saw this sweet family and took this photo of them. I knew it would provide inspiration for another blog. And it did. A bicycle built for two and two following. What great family bonding time! Imagine the memories those kids will have of the great outdoors on such a beautiful day, getting great exercise and having Mom and Dad all to themselves.
I have sweet memories of my kids and grandkids getting their first bikes and eventually taking the training wheels off. Then we watched them tackle it all alone. There were a few bumps and bruises along the way, but they finally conquered their bicycling challenges with persistence and determination.
I thought about the similarities between life and a bicycle. The front wheel of a bicycle provides direction, and the rear wheel provides the drive. In life, we need someone who provides us with inspiration and direction, and who pushes us with the right drive.
I’ve learned so much about my dependence on THE Director and THE Driver that keeps me balanced as I ride my “life” bicycle and Who constantly inspires me to push on and pedal harder. That is Father God. We’re not having to do life alone. In life, tough times are inevitable. We’ll encounter situations where it takes every bit of energy we can muster to make it through, but how sweet it is when we pedal on to that place where we soon can coast and enjoy the ride. It is essential to know when to slow down and come to a complete stop – applying the brakes when “enough is enough”.
When we stop, it’s the perfect time to “BE STILL and KNOW HE is God”. In that stillness, we hear Him giving us wisdom for the next adventure we’ll be on. He’ll tell us the best roads to take, the right amount of air pressure we need in our tires, the tension needed in our steering system, and the sweetest sights to see along the way.
It TAKES Two – Me and God; You and God. What a great partnership to have – especially during the times of adjustment.