the wise sunflowers

This was my view during a leg of the bike portion of a triathlon I did this past weekend in Kalamazoo, Michigan.  I was struck how all the sunflowers had their back to me as I was riding by.  What I quickly realized was that while they had their backs to me, they had their eyes on the sun as it was rising in the eastern sky.  They would keep their eyes on the sun all day, moving with it until it sets in the western sky late in the evening.  They know what gives them life.

How often do I have my back to God, looking at the bikers riding by when the sun is behind me?  I easily forget what gives me life.  These dear sunflowers were a great reminder to me, (on my 25 mile ride), to keep my eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of my faith and to stop looking around at what passes by, here for a second and then gone.

2 Corinthians 4:18
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Hebrews 12:2
fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.

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it was inevitable

Riding with my new pedals and shoes for a few weeks now, I knew a fall was inevitable . . .

I was initially scared to death to try this … I mean who wants their feet actually attached to their bike … it feels so counter-intuitive!  But, with Jon’s help, my first try was a breeze …  easy and very natural, like riding a bike!  I’ve been on a few long rides now and definitely understand the draw to clipless pedals … more power and speed!

So, coming back from a long ride Saturday morning, just a few blocks from home (where most accidents happen), I would get my first taste of the inevitable!  Coming to the intersection, I needed to commit … either clip out or cross the street.  It was a bit of a blind intersection, so hard to see, especially to the right, until you are right upon it.  I didn’t hear any taffic, so I was confident I could safely jet across . . . until I took my final glance to the right … no way … too many cars.  I would have to stop.  But I’m already upon the intersection, feet tightly locked into my pedal … too late to clip out … too slow to be still moving forward maintaining balance … here it goes … the inevitable fall.  Hopefully just the few passing cars saw my pitiful tip to the left, me and my bike, falling together on the lovely pavement.

Here’s what I have to show for it … bruised knee and bruised pride.

I did jump back on and ride home my final 6 blocks … with a bit of pain on my face … it was inevitable!