It was in the summertime on my grandparents' farm that I learned to ride a bicycle. My St. Louis cousins, Jim and Carol, had brought a bicycle with them to the farm, where we spent many good times together in the summer. I remember trying to get my balance on that bike with no success. The practice area was gravel out by the corn crib--no pavement on the farm. There had to be some scraped knees and palms in the process; but from the vantage point of fifty years later, those have all faded away. What I remember today is how it felt to finally get it. I still am amazed that it just "happened." I learned to ride, and I rode a lot--all over Owensville when I got back home.
I bought my bike nearly 40 years ago, as I was preparing to go to college. The manager of the local Western Auto Store let me put it in the layaway, and I paid for it with money I made from mowing lawns. At college in Kirksville, I rode that bike on campus, around town, and down country roads.
For most of my ministry, we have lived in locations that were not "bike friendly"--mostly on gravel roads and country lanes. Our present location in Concord is much better. Here we have good pavement . . . but there is also lots of traffic rolling up Route 106. It takes a certain kind of courage to get back on a bike at 56! It is a bit like learning to ride again for the first time--finding the balance and the spirit to explore one's surroundings.
My sabbatical includes daily exercise. Today I pedaled (and coasted) to the New Hampshire Motor Speedway. After taking a brief detour through Loudon, I was determined to get to the Speedway . . . and I did. It took me longer to get home, but I made it! From a sedentary lifestyle to 20 miles today! Maybe I'll get to Laconia before the summer is over. Would be great to have lunch with Warren and Paula before I pedal back home.
I am grateful to God for the opportunity to move and make important changes. I am grateful for the gift of this holy time.
I bought my bike nearly 40 years ago, as I was preparing to go to college. The manager of the local Western Auto Store let me put it in the layaway, and I paid for it with money I made from mowing lawns. At college in Kirksville, I rode that bike on campus, around town, and down country roads.
For most of my ministry, we have lived in locations that were not "bike friendly"--mostly on gravel roads and country lanes. Our present location in Concord is much better. Here we have good pavement . . . but there is also lots of traffic rolling up Route 106. It takes a certain kind of courage to get back on a bike at 56! It is a bit like learning to ride again for the first time--finding the balance and the spirit to explore one's surroundings.
My sabbatical includes daily exercise. Today I pedaled (and coasted) to the New Hampshire Motor Speedway. After taking a brief detour through Loudon, I was determined to get to the Speedway . . . and I did. It took me longer to get home, but I made it! From a sedentary lifestyle to 20 miles today! Maybe I'll get to Laconia before the summer is over. Would be great to have lunch with Warren and Paula before I pedal back home.
I am grateful to God for the opportunity to move and make important changes. I am grateful for the gift of this holy time.
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