Riding

The June sun burns above the dry yellow field, a wasteland. Smooth blacktop switches to crunchy gravel then to hard, rocky earth. My sweat-drenched fingers force the gear to a six. But the hill is high. We pedal and pedal as the backs of our necks tan and fry. I cringe as my thighs plead for a rest. Just one moment on solid ground, they beg. But I keep pedaling.

A bright blue lake comes into view. Gorgeous. My cotton dry throat reminds me of the sweet taste of water. But I keep my eyes on the dirt path. I lift the weight of my body into a standing position. Pain rips through my upper thighs. Each movement is heavier, longer, greater. We reach the peak. Downhill we race at demon speed. The exhilaration of flying down the curvy path stings my eyes and spins my stomach. Faster, faster, brake! I skid to a stop. But the sharp turn pulls the bike out from under me and I slam into thistles. Carefully I stand, swing a leg over the seat, and go. A race to the green rusty gate. Hard earth becomes gravel once again. My muscles throb as I twist the faucet and the clear, lukewarm water coats my throat. I can swallow again.

Annoying

Today some friends and I were discussing annoying things done by the opposite sex. The discussion quickly became a fierce debate. Later I was trying to think of what males do that I appreciate.

1. Men tend to keep short accounts in that they will confront a friend about a problem face-to-face rather than use a go-between. Girls like having a defense team ready to fire because they fear confrontation. Guys are up-front and honest about relational problems.
2. Guys are decisive. Girls like indecision because it precludes failure and typically doesn't offend people. Decisions are necessary to carry a project, a team, a company forward. Men do this well.
3. They speak frankly without an agenda. Women make comments specifically to make someone jealous, to advance their image. Men don't have such an agenda.

The Best

In every human relationship there is a disparity between reality and expectation. We can choose to be annoyed by the gap and try to close it, or we can expect the best from the other person.

Abraham Lincoln once said, "If you look for the bad in people expecting to find it, you surely will." Everyone has character flaws and annoying idiosyncrasies. But lately I've tried to look for the good in people, and I have surely found that. Karen, the youth pastor's wife, is incredibly patient with messy, insecure, noisy junior high students. Jana knows and loves the Word of God. Serena has great self-control over her emotions and desires. Melody loves people; she is never at odds with anyone. I could go on. There is good in humanity; will I choose to acknowledge it?

From the Mouths of Babes

My brothers Evan and Ellis have invented a game that involves Evan throwing and hitting a ball to Ellis, theoretically to teach him to catch, but in reality, just to hit Ellis. Today Evan asked Ellis if he got scared when the ball flies toward him. Ellis confidently replied, "I'm not afraid because I know God is with me."

Who is my most loyal friend? Who will truly stand by me through joy and pain? "You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar..where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there."