I am beginning to make some progress as a cyclist. It is a good thing to have a partner when you begin something like this. My husband has been such a great encouragement to me. Every time I manage to make it up a big climb he is waiting there  to tell me I’ve done a good job. It’s amazing how much words of encouragement can give you the energy to try just a little harder. He also gets me up and out on those mornings I would just as soon not even look at my bike. Two definitely are better than one.

We started by riding three miles and have now made it up to fourteen miles. I really didn’t think I could do it. The first morning we decided to make the jump from seven miles to fourteen my heart was actually pounding with dread when we started out. I pictured myself laying on the side of the road somewhere – collapsed in a heap of utter exhaustion. But that didn’t happen. I actually made it!! I never would have tried that by myself.

I have learned all sorts of lessons while riding my bike. Just today I was thinking about how much learning to ride – to use the gears and pace myself – is like growing in faith. I have found that if I anticipate a difficult part of the ride way before I reach it and begin to shift down to a much easier gear, I get myself into trouble. By shifting too soon I end up with my legs spinning furiously without engaging the chain. All my effort is totally wasted. Then when I get to the upgrade I have no momentum to help carry me up the difficult part. If, however, I wait to shift just before I hit the climb, my momentum carries me forward and the easier gear makes the climb simple.

That is so much like my life. When I look too far ahead into the future, anticipating trouble down the road, I begin the useless process of worry and fear. I begin “spinning my legs” furiously trying to make sure everything will turn out all right. I imagine the Lord saying, “Don’t worry daughter. Just keep trusting in me, and when the time comes I will give you all you need to make it through.” His grace is always sufficient, but it is sufficient day by day. When I do face difficulties, the steady “momentum” of time spent with Him in prayer and in the Word will carry me up the difficult part.

Blessings,