Gary and I are planning on riding in an organized 50-mile ride in a few weekends and I’m excited to get back on that bike for a good distance and in an organized ride. Organized rides are my favorite because I can ride my own ride by myself, without many of the dangers of riding by myself. There will be rest stops, an organized route, police at major intersections and help circling about should I need it. Plus, I love watching all the other riders, reading their jerseys… and politely saying “On your left!” as I pass them by. (Of course I hear that myself quite often as other cyclists fly by me, too.)
Also, I have a better opportunity to talk and listen to God on an organized ride. Because I don’t have to worry about the ride logistics, I am free to just enjoy the gift of being outside exercising and of listening. I love it.
Recently I haven’t been myself. I’ve been comparing myself to everyone around me again and feeling like I don’t measure up. At church last Sunday I realized my problem: my ladies’ Bible study ended, as did my cycling. I was still reading the Word (almost) daily, but I wasn’t immersing myself in it through study or communicating with God as often as I did when I had scheduled riding time, or when I had the group to hold me accountable.
This realization made me realize that I NEED to stay in His Word. He designed me to be in communion with Him. No, I cannot spend as much time on the bike as I did when training for the MS 150, but I can search out pockets of my time and give them to Him in more prayer (and listening), and I can try again to delve deeper in my daily reading.
I’m playing with the idea of hosting a casual summer book study and I’m making more of an effort to be intentional with my time, and praying about that, as well. The next two weeks will be a frenzy of end-of-the school-year activities and preparations for the summer. And then the ride… Just typing that makes me feel as though the ride is like my dessert. But if I make time everyday to REALLY listen, maybe I’ll feel like I am enjoying dessert every day.
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