Today I took the two oldest chicks from the Young brood for another bike ride. This is a rare thing for me as I am normally working 10-12 hours a day. I guess this is one good thing that’s come from the overtly socialistic state in which we live: work’s slow, so I get to play with my chicks (Comrade Obama, I’m still waiting on my check…, but I digress).
This ride is only the second time that Eden (age 4) has been willing to ride her bike by herself, even though it has training wheels. She’s normally more than happy to simply scoot around on her razor (which has three wheels). But, for some reason, both yesterday and today I’ve been able to convince her to ride her bike.
As we prepared to set out on our afternoon trek, I offered to help her affix her helmet. She promptly informed me, “Daddy, I’m big.” Whilst we were riding, I was trying to coach her through the turns, as well as telling her how to brake as we went down the gradual slopes of Ladera Ranch. Each instruction merited her response: “Daddy, I’m big!”
I have to admit, she hung in very well. Our total ride today was just under five miles (and yes, before any of you jump on me about child abuse, we stopped often). As we made our way back toward home, the bike trail began to incline slightly. She did great. Puffing and panting, she trudged her way up the ever steepening grade, with me giving encouragement all the while. Finally, she could go no further. I dropped my bike to the ground and helped her up the rest of way.
We reached the crest and stopped for a brief respite. Jade, Eden and I flopped down on the bench and shared a bottle of water. I turned to Eden and said, “You’re doing great baby. You’re riding like a big girl!”
She looked up at me, Dora the Explorer helmet all askew and whatnot, the sweat dripping down her little cheeks, and said, “Daddy, I’m big…’cept on the hills.”
Now, I’m not the most “spiritual” duck in the pond, but my mind immediately began to wander (I guess it’s the teacher in me). In my mind’s eye I could see my Father guiding me through my journey to Christ-imitation, speaking words of encouragement to me as I stumble and get things wrong, and I can even hear my somewhat childish response to His guidance, “But, I’m big!”
Then I can see me going through some of the most trying times of my existence, and He’s still there, encouraging. In fact, He’s having to stop and pick me up and carry me. It’s on these uphill climbs that I begin to see just how small I am, just how much I truly need Him in my life.
Yeah, I’m big…’cept on the hills.
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