I have completed all the major items on my to-do list in preparing my book for the Las Vegas book signing. It was grueling for a few weeks, but now the revisions are done, the books are ready to order and ship, and I even got my badge for the convention in the mail.
Since I have been working nearly non-stop for a month (while caring for my Mom post-surgery in the unbearably cold state of NY), I decided I had earned an afternoon off. I dusted off my bicycle and pedaled into the 80-degree sunshine.(NC- I love you.) The beautiful greenway trail beckoned to me. The possibility of a severe allergic reaction to all the blooming trees' pollen didn't even enter my thoughts. It was too glorious not to go.
Many roots were pushing up the paved bike path, and it was very bumpy at times. Last year, I broke my tail bone and those bumps began to aggravate that still achy wound. I had to keep standing on my pedals going over the bumps because my tail was getting mighty sore. Then it would be nice and smooth for a stretch, and all of a sudden, an unexpected huge root had pushed up the pavement and I slammed down (again) on my tailbone.
Isn't this just like life? How often are we sailing along, thinking the path could not be smoother or clearer, all is going
just swimmingly, and then BAM, you hit an unexpected and jarring situation that totally blindsides you. Sometimes you hit several in a row, and you almost want to turn around, crawl back into the womb, and ask God for a raincheck on life. But if you keep going, invariably, things smooth out again. God warns us about these rough spots. He knows we will hit them, and He wants us to be prepared. That means having a whole lot of His promises about the future stored in your heart, or it is easy to give up when the going gets too tough.
I was pretty sore and tired when I got home, but I was still glad I had gone. Despite the moments of pain, the glory was all worth it.
**********************
As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the
prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those
blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of
Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is
compassionate and merciful.
Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for
the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame,
and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of
witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so
closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he
has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has
promised to those who love him.
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