Fellowship United Methodist Church

Today we rode a loop out of Athens and returned to Athens.  Along the way I gained a new appreciaiton for perseverance. 

Today I rode with just my friend Mark.  I am a pretty tough minded and strong willed guy but I have to be honest and say that Mark is the reason I finished today.  He is a bike riding machine and he immediately took the lead today because he knows I am feeling a little tired.  I stayed on his wheel, drafting behind him for the first 25 miles of today's ride, still riding faster than I ever could have done on my own.  We started out saying that today would be a recovery ride, one that would loosen up tired muscles and purge the built up latic acid.  Well, that pace may have been a recovery for Mark, but it was about a 85% effort for me.

But you know what?  I drew strength from Mark's strength and on a day when I thought I would just trudge on through, I in fact really enjoyed it.  Not only that, but because Mark pulled me for so long I was able to return the favor and pull him some as well so that he could recover from the effort he gave.  Together we accomplished an great thing in a great way.  Yeah, either of us could have finished the ride today but together we rode strong and finished strong.  Together we persevered.

That is the way it is with life too.  We can just trudge along through it or we can persevere and be strong when we stop trying to do it all alone.  We have a God who is with us every step of the way and that same God brings people into our lives to help and to be helped by.  Let's make it a point to "ride strong" and finish strong.

In closing for today I ask that you pray for four people whose names I do not know.  Today in Athens as we rode, three of my fellow BRAGgers were hit by a car.  One has a broken femor that requires surgery, another has some damage to his hand and the third cyclist has only minor injuries.  Pray that they all heal quickly and also pray for the 16 year old driver who hit them and is certainly suffering as well.