Quote from Forum Archives on September 13, 2006, 4:14 pm

Posted by: bigguyhereagain <bigguyhereagain@...>

"Bike Ride With God"

 

    

When I first met Christ
It seemed as though life was rather like a bike ride,
But it was a tandem bike,
And I noticed that Christ
Was in the back helping me pedal.

 

I don't know just when it was that
He suggested we change places,
But life has not been the same since.

 

When I had control, I knew the way,
It was rather boring, but predictable...
It was the shortest distance between two points.

 

But when He took the lead,
He knew delightful long cuts,
Up mountains, and through rocky places,
At breakneck speeds,
It was all I could do to hang on!
Even though it looked like madness,
He said, "Pedal"

 

I worried and was anxious and asked,
"Where are you taking me?"
He laughed and didn't answer,
And I started to learn to trust.

 

I forgot my boring life
And entered into the adventure.
And when I'd say, "I'm scared,"
He'd lean back and touch my hand.

 

He took me to people with gifts that I needed.
Gifts of healing, acceptance, and joy.
He said, "Give the gifts away;
They're extra baggage, too much weight."

 

So I did, I gave them to the people we met,
And I found that in giving I received,
And still our burden was light.

 

I did not trust Him, at first, In control of my life.
I thought He'd wreck it;
But He knows bike secrets,
Knows how to make it bend to take sharp corners,
Knows how to jump to clear high rocks,
Knows how to fly to shorten scary passages.

 

And I am learning to shut up
and pedal in the strangest places,
And I'm beginning to enjoy the view
And the cool breeze on my face
With my delightful constant companion, Jesus Christ.

 

And when I'm sure I just can't do anymore,
He just smiles and says...
"Pedal."

 

"The Fern and the Bamboo"

       

            

       

One day I decided to quit...I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality.... I wanted to quit my life. I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.

 

"God", I said. "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?"

 

His answer surprised me. "Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"

 

"Yes", I replied.

 

"When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.

 

In the second year the fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. "In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit. The same in year four.

 

"Then in the fifth year, a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern, it was seemingly small and insignificant.

 

But just six months later, the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall. It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive. I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle.

 

"Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots? I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you.

 

"Don't compare yourself to others." He said. "The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern. Yet they both make the forest beautiful.

 

"Your time will come", God said to me. "You will rise high"

 

"How high should I rise?" I asked.

 

"How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return.

 

"As high as it can?" I questioned

 

"Yes." He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can."

 

I left the forest, realizing that God will never give up on me. And He will never give up on you.

 

Never regret a day in your life.

 

Good days give you happiness; bad days give you experiences; both are essential to life.

 

Author Unknown

 

 

Have a Blessed Day
Dave and Barbara

 

 

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