Bumpy Roads

This morning we left around 9 am from Lacombe. We got on Highway 190 after riding on I-12 for a few miles.

As we rode on 190, I began to think. When riding on the bike, there are only so many things to do:  read, listen to music or sermons, sleep or pray and think.  Today I did a little of each.


As I was thinking about the road, it came to mind how our ride on 190 is kinda like my life's journey.
1-- We are all on a path called life.
  We each have goals we want to reach. We have dreams we want fulfilled. We have places to go and things to do. We have families and jobs.   We have extended families and hobbies. We have homes and many projects there.  Some of us are single, some are married, some have kids, some don't, some are divorced and are raising kids as single parents, some are married for the second time.  Where ever you are in life you are on a path going somewhere.

2--Along the path, there will be MANY bumps.  However, there are different kinds: good bumps like marriage, births, job promotions, kids moving away or going to college, and/ or job changes.  Or, there could be bad bumps like loss of job, loss , of spouse or friend, divorce.  Whatever the bump, we all have choices in how we react to the bump.  Recently, I have had 3 bumps. The first one was in April after a checkup at the doctor's office. I was called back to his office and told that if I don't change my eating habits and start exercising, I will be a type 2 diabetic by next year. He told me to eat NO white carbs and lose 8 pounds by August when I returned.  What a shock that was !! I had no idea I was in that kind of shape. I was feeling good and doing things as normal. I left that office with a different mindset, knowing I would only be able to do what he wanted with the help of the Lord. My personality weaknesses work against me in all he wants me to do.


The second bump came about a month later: I went for a routine mammogram after 3 years. After about 2 weeks they called to tell me to come in for more tests. They had seen something  and wanted to do more checking.  Right before our trip, I went in for more testing.  When I was done, the doctor came in to tell me me they see something in the back of my breast. They want to do a biopsy because I have had melanoma and my mom had breast cancer. Oh my, once again the breath was sucked out of me. What do I do? We are leaving in less than a week. I told the doctor we could leave later for our trip. Obviously my health is much more important than the trip. She assured me that I could wait until I got back. On my way out I scheduled the biopsy, August 13, the week after we get back from our vacation! Great.. something to look forward to!!

Bump 3 is Dale getting a new job with Bed, Bath and Beyond. In the interview, they told him after he passes his manager training, it is very likely they will have to move.  WOW! Another blow! not necessarily bad, but a bump.

Highway 190 had many bumps. Some were barely felt as we rode over them. Some gave us a little jolt. AND, some bumped me up out of my seat and jarred my entire body.  For some of them, I was ready because I was looking around Norm's head to see the road. But, most of them I  had no idea they were coming and could not prepare.
Same way with life's bumps. Some you can see coming and some take you by surprise and knock the breath out of you.

3--We have choices as to how we react to the bumps.
For bump 1, the pre-diabetes issue, I left the doctor's office with a new resolve. I will eat better and begin walking on a regular basis. However, I also knew that only with God's help would I be able to to continue on the eating better plan and the exercising.  I will have to have the HOLY SPIRIT to prick and prompt and give courage and strength to do the things I need to do for my health. I do have another option. I could do nothing and continue on the path I am on. And, then soon, my health will deteriorate and I will go downhill and have lots of complications.

For bump 2, it is a little more complicated. I have told myself not to worry. It is in God's hands.  I wish I could say I have not thought about it again. However, that is not the case. I have not lingered on the thought it might the C word.  I have come to the conclusion with all of these that GOD IS Sovereign and in control. I cannot change bump 2 or do anything about it by worrying. Worrying will not change any part of it and it will for sure ruin our trip if I meditate on it and ponder on it day and night. So, I am trusting in the Lord to help my mind not focus only on that bump. I will trust Him to be there is the news is not good. But, I won't cross that bridge until it comes.

Bump 3 is a catch 22 so to speak. I am so happy for Dale as he has made a positive move in his career in management.  However, it is a bittersweet bump.  All know how Norm and I love our grandkids and enjoy them so much. To have them move will be hard since we babysit them 4 days a week. Yet, it is a happy time for Meagan and Dale as this might mean Meagan can stay home with her children. What a great opportunity for her and the kids. And, if they move, it will be someplace for us to go on the bike to visit. Again, we have a choice in how we react. We know God is Sovereign in this too. He is in control and HE knows best. We have to believe that or we can't handle anything. We believe in His protection and refuge and that HE has our best interests at heart, no matter how things look.

Bumps move us toward the Lord. That is how they are used positively. So, I move towards Him with a trusting heart, believing He knows all the details and the results of the tests and how it will all turn out.  If I believe what I say about HIM, how can I go wrong?!

What about you? What bump are you facing? How have you reacted?



Tomorrow we leave for Hatfield. We have about 165 miles to go. We are riding on back roads, with little traffic and lots of pretty land.