Monday 1 December 2008

The Road of Life

The following came into my possesion via. a Father Jim, the priest of a friend's Mother in Texas. I was given it in the 1980's and it has never ceased to bless me as I so identify with what is written.

I would only add that although my Lord wants me to "pedal", it his Him who is pedalling through me, not a self-effort striving to get up that steep hill.

The Road of Life

At first I saw God as my observer, my judge, keeping track of the things I did wrong so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I die.

He was sort of a president, I recognized his picture when I saw it, but I really didn’t know Him.

But later on, when I 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 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 did not answer, and I started 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. They gave me gifts to take on my journey, my Lord’s and mine, and we were off again. He said, “Give the gifts away; they are extra baggage, too much weight.” So I did, 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 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 am beginning to enjoy the view and the cool breeze on my face with my delightful constant companion, Jesus Christ. And when I am sure that I can’t do anymore, He just smiles and says…………..”Pedal”

20 comments:

Elizabethd said...

That is a wonderful writing, thank you. I am going to make a copy so as not to forget those wise words.

Winifred said...

Thank you Barbara

This is really a great piece of writing and s true. I'm copying it too.

Susan said...

Wonderful, Barbara. Thanks for sharing.
Susan

Tess Kincaid said...

This is beautiful. I never thought of Jesus Christ as a bike rider before! :^)

Vee said...

Ahhh, no wonder you love it. I'm thankful that you added your comment, too. It can't be through any self-effort. That is a recipe for disaster. But if the Lord says, "Pedal"... Thanks for sharing this with us!

Patsy said...

Hope you are having a good day on the road of life. Come by and get your smile from me.
Patsy

Willow said...

This is a beautiful image of our lives, isn't it? Thanks for sharing, Barbara!

Needled Mom said...

Thanks for the post, Barbara. I think I will copy this and save it to share.

Anonymous said...

:-) yep!
He's good at practical stuff. When I needed cord for P.E. bags, I prayed walking along the canal with the hounds. The shops were shut and I needed it for the morning to go in the yellow bags I had already made.

On the way back to the car, there in the hedge was a huge tangle of yellow twisted cord. Not only did God provide, he choose the right colour and I had loads left over. :-) Direct answer to prayer and some- I hadn't mentioned colour or amount.

Anonymous said...

That's really beautiful Barbara and puts things into perspective so easily. I'll copy and share it with others if I may.

Thank you for sharing it with me.

Anonymous said...

Thank you - that was lovely....
Peace and love
Kate

lorenzothellama said...

That's nice Barbara!

Anonymous said...

Hia again Barbara, there is a little something for you on my blog. :-)

Indian Lake Papa said...

Barbara - thanks for stopping by my blog! HAve a great afternoon - only 10 here! YoU have a very interesting blog - not many are older than papa (65) or married longer (43) - ha!

Tina said...

Such a beautiful message.
The time has flew for sure. Today I am 37 weeks and now not at all too long before we meet our little boy in person. Your daughter is 20 weeks already?! Is she going to know the gender at the 20th week scan?
Take care. x

duopastorale said...

Just wonderful Barbara. Thank you!

Nana Trish is Living the Dream said...

This is such a great writing. So well written. Why can't we just turn it all over to Him? I ask myself that all the time. I think it's so easy to think we are so wise about our lives and what we need to do. I pray He will continue to remind me that He is my creator and I need to just let Him take me where He wants to take me. Great post. Thanks for dropping over. I find out tomorrow about my foot. You fell off a ladder. That had to be scary. I always enjoy your blog. luv ya, Trish

Sara at Come Away With Me said...

Oh, I love that sentence about, "He knew delightful long cuts..."

It's true - as time goes on things become clearer and trust grows stronger and the ride gets more exciting and His presence becomes more real.

Barb said...

Hi Barbara,

Thank you for sharing. I can also identify with this. This is going to be printed out and given to some loved ones (I'm keeping a copy for myself).

hugs,
Barb

The Summer Kitchen Girls said...

So, sooo true! Never heard the bike parable, but loved it! Thanks for sharing,
Karla & Karrie