Tuesday, May 10, 2011

bike built for two



So here's a sweet treasure I think I will just place in my jar today...

Several years ago a friend and I were sharing a late night cup of coffee outside a local coffee shop when she introduced to me the idea of praying, being quite, and waiting for a WORD from the Lord. Now please understand me here, I'm not talking about some off-the-wall, weird, God came down and audibly spoke kind of thing. That has never happened, although I do not think it is impossible. In some teachings, I suppose this would be called a Word of Knowledge or Wisdom. It's when the Holy Spirit impresses in your heart maybe one single word,  a picture , for someone that would speak encouragement, guidance, maybe even conviction to them. She encouraged both of us that there is no right or wrong. That there is grace if whatever we receive is totally off. Just express whatever is laid on your heart. It's really a practice in hearing from God. Because, you know, God does speak in all sorts of ways.

My friend and I have grown in our fellowship and hearing from Father in this way over the past few years, and it has become one a the sweetest ways that God speaks to me. A real treasure.

Last week my husband and I were running some errands and we pulled into the Walgreens parking lot. We needed to get some meds filled so George went inside and I opted to wait in the jeep. As I was sitting in the warm afternoon sun listening to the radio, an interesting scene took place. A father and his son rode up on a tandem bike with an orange flag on the back. They stopped at The Red Box that was directly in front of where I was parked. I tuned into this pair, because you don't typically see a man and his boy on a bike built for two everyday. They picked out a movie and the boy put it safely in his backpack. They both got back on their bike and peddled away in perfect unison. I strained my neck to watch them leave. I was so amused at the sight, it was as if they were having the ride of their life.

The next afternoon I got a text from my friend. It said, P4U (Praying for you) and then she said, Word: Bike Built for Two.. Now she didn't know about my amusement with the father, his son, and their tandem bike the day before, but this is the sweetness of God. He did, and He knows how to knit our hearts together and speak to us where we can clearly understand. 

I've been burdened. Heavy laden. Out of sync with my Father.
Fighting the hills all by myself. Out of breath. Tired. Worn out.
What a picture that I needed. My Father and me on a bike built for two.
He doing most of the work. I just have to fall behind Him. Stay close.
Do what He does.
Peddle in unison.
Have the ride of my life..

"Are you tired? Worn out? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me {and ride with me}-- watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." Matt 11:28-30

Now that's a golden nugget for my treasure jar...

are you in sync with your Father?  how do you hear from Him the clearest?  

Kristin

2 comments:

Amanda said...

Hi! I stumbled on your blog through WIWW. I scrolled through several of your posts and just want to tell you that your writing is really beautiful and I admire your ability to share real life and real faith. I hope to do more of that on my own blog. I hope this isn't creepy. I just know that sometimes it's nice to get some feedback.

kristin said...

Hi Amanda! Thank you so much for reading and commenting. It is nice to get feedback. It's encouraging. Glad you feel encouraged to share more too. many blessing to you!!