When I was 13, I visited my cousins in Houston, Texas, during the summer. What I loved about staying with my uncle was the opportunity to add some value to my level of independence. My parents always sent me an allotted amount of cash that I had to budget and spend wisely while away from home. It was a breath of fresh air, and it doesn't hurt to mention that my cousins were a lot of fun, and I had a few crushes that I got an opportunity to see while I was there.
I remember one particular time one of my older cousins was semi-teaching me how to ride a bike. Please keep in mind that my cousins were 6 feet plus in height, and I may have been 5 feet 6 inches tall or less at the time. I mention this because bikes are made for the frame of the individual. It felt like I was climbing a mountain to get on the seat of this bike. This bike was so tall that my feet didn't touch the ground. I would meet the bar in the middle before my feet would touch down.
I want to blame my misfortune on my cousin because he didn't tell me how to stop the bike, and as a novice, I had no clue. As I finally climbed to the top of the bicycle and rode down the street, I lost control while riding and was headed toward a car. Because I wasn't familiar with how to stop, I ran into the car, and my body leaped from the seat to the bar. My feet never hit the ground. For anyone with any imagination, you know that landing on the bar wasn't comfortable. I was 13 years old when that happened, and I'm not embarrassed that I started trying to learn to ride a little late.
I'm sure you are saying that is a cute story! What's the point? Okay, so here's the punchline. I'm now 44 years old, and although I experienced this horribly traumatic and painful moment, I didn't stop getting on bikes. You better believe my one now fits my height, and my feet can touch the ground. But, as painful as that moment was, I never stopped until I learned how to ride.
Current challenges in your life require pain, self-evaluation, sweat equity, humility, and intestinal fortitude. You may have to take some Ls to get to the W, but keep going. Winning requires that you not live your life stagnated because of what you lost, how you felt, what they said about you, when it happened, or who did it. You will win if you decide to get up, brush yourself off, and not pass out at the sight of the blood running down your leg.
Over these years, I've had many bike rides with my family, and to think of the pleasurable moments I would've forfeited if I had never picked up another bike because of my horrible experience.
What are you missing out on because you cannot get past what happened? Some blood may be involved, but locked up in the confines of your messy situation is a message. You'll win if you don't quit. Don't let the blood scare you. Greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world. Get back up, gather yourself, and declare your victory, and although some pain may be involved, decide that you will not settle for an L. Declare that you are a winner! Stay strong, stay consistent, stay prayerful, and witness God do His best work in and through you!
Pastor Tim
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