Night Ride by Deena McDaniel Positively Beautiful Blog

 Night Ride by Deena McDaniel Positively Beautiful Blog

 

No lights. No air conditioning. (It was broken) No kidding! Saturday is one of my favorite fitness days. I teach back-to-back CRAZY!  At 9:30 it’s Zumba, followed by the next hour of indoor cycling. Yeah, it’s a rush but it’s a hobby I get paid for…win/win! This past Saturday was a near bust. In a full mask of Covid, no air and a tiny breeze from a cracked opened door… Zumba. I’m cool, I got this. But then it came down to no air, no lights, no music and a crew ready to ride. There sat Walter, “I look forward to this day all week long, “he said with his head hanging down in discouragement. I think God was giggling at what He was doing to do.

 

 

The bikes have a red light at the bottom of the bike when you peddle…some light?  I had my boom box and mic in the car. Each person popped their camera light on and set their bikes. Let’s RIDE. For the next hour we biked in the darkness and had one  $%^#@&*% of a workout! I’d been ready to give up, but the spin crew persevered and found a way! There was teamwork at its best. I know, it’s just a spin class, but the crew was determined to make it work. Here I was the “leader”, and I was being led.

 

 

Community counts! I often think of Aron and Hur holding up the arms of Moses as the battle raged against Amalek army.  As long as his arms were held up, they were winning the battle, therefore as Moses got weary his friends kept him going. We need that kind of friends and community. (See Exodus 17 for the entire story.)

 

 

Recently as I was more than weary about my life and loneliness ahead. This has been a valley like no other. Remember some rejoice with an empty nest, but I’m working through the crickets to come (you know the silence.) My sweet friend Laurel, mom of 4 with a range of 13 to 5 embraced my low hanging spirit. Both of our husbands help with things before church, so we’ve about :45 before church to chat. Ideas were exchanged and I walked away with a spirit filled with optimism. I got this!  ” I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.”-Psalm 34:4

 

In this time of isolation and fear of the plague… some still are afraid; we’re suddenly learning new tools to cope. Kindred spirits and taking time to team up will serve us well. Moment by moment I’m preaching the Gospel to myself. The Good News is always good news. What are the truths in everyday life? Never forget God’s graciousness to those he loves.

 

 

 

Where are you reaching for compassion? It’s a point in our lives we’re transitioning out of kids and into adventures. I’ve got to put on my goo goo goggles! Oh yes, we read the Dr. Seuss  ABC book to our kids so much throughout the years we’ve memorized the entire book. (G is for goat, girl and goo goo goggles.) As I was praying with Laurel, I was reminded life is how we see it. Have you ever borrowed someone’s glasses to read the menu? Yes, that’s a thing when you’re almost 60 and leave your “see-bigger’s” at home. Often the borrowed glasses work well, but sometimes it’s a big blur! We must look through the lens of the Lord.

 

 

Be not afraid to community! Get back to life again. Gather! Entertain! Explore! As an obstacle confronts you figure out the solution with a team. I’d been ready to give up on my ride, but because of “peer perseverance” we had a great workout. Where can you be the one who says, “lets RIDE!” Laurel took my hand and helped me lift my head. Walter walked it out with the why stop attitude.   Find folks who will not take no for an answer. When a down day rears its ugly head don’t face it alone.  Ride it out with a pal, even if it’s in the dark.  “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”- John 1:5