As a little girl growing up, I was that one kid that played vicariously through others. I remember in the early ’70s when Double Dutch became popular with us kids living up north. Everyone was eager to try this jump rope game, in which two long jump ropes turning in opposite directions while one, two, or more players jumped simultaneously. It was a joy seeing my friends get the hang of it and last more than 5 minutes jumping two ropes as we all cheered them on before their feet got caught in the rhythm of the rope.

When it became my turn to jump, fear would always set in. I was afraid of trying, afraid of falling, scared of not feeling the rhythm of the swinging rope, fear of being the only one not catching on fast enough. So, I always stood on the sideline, jumping double-dutch rope vicariously through the other kids. No one seemed to care that I was the only one not giving it a try. I mean, who would even think to ask when everyone is cheering you on, rooting for you, and shouting GO! GO! GO! YOU CAN DO IT! My childhood friends were so excited someone was cheering for them that they never really noticed that I was not taking a turn or giving it a go.

As an adult, I find it interesting to look back on my life as a child and realize that those childhood experiences shaped me as an adult. Just a few short years ago, I never would have thought or even dreamed that I would consider getting on a motorbike, strapping on a helmet, putting on boots and Armor encased in a jacket, and riding on the open road next to speeding cars and trucks. When my husband decided to get a motorcycle, I was furious with him, why would you get something that has to potential to take you away from me? He looked at me like I was an alien. “Why would you say something like that?” He said to me, I am not trying to do anything to take me away from you. I want a motorcycle. I have always wanted one, and now that I can get one, this is what I want to do. I remember looking at my husband and then yelling, “why are you stressing my prayer life out?! You’re doing things to make me pray more!” how ridiculous is that? It never even dawned on me that he, too, was probably dealing with Faith over fear and a childhood experience that he wanted to embrace finally.

He has always been a faithful steward to our family and God, and with our children married and with their own families now, he wanted to do something for himself. He wanted a motorcycle and wanted to enjoy the open road. But fear of what I might say and the fear of what could happen, him being the sole provider in the family, kept his dream of having a motorcycle at a distance. But distance is always defeated when the heart wants what the heart wants, and all he wanted was a motorcycle and to enjoy riding it on the open road.

“Distance is always defeated when the heart wants what the heart wants”

– LaShaun Jackson

Last November of 2020, we went on our first long ride together—he on his motorcycle and me on my Can-Am Spyder, Mrs. Cavatica. As we were riding the country roads, I noticed my shadow to the right of me. I could see myself on my bike wearing my riding gear. Wow! Look at her, I thought; she’s off the sidelines; she’s double dutching! She’s not cheering others on; She’s cheering herself on. My eyes started to tear up as I glanced at my shadow from time to time during the ride. But there is no crying when you are on a Can-Am Spyder driving 75 mph on a curvy country road.

Childhood fears often play a considerable part in how we walk out living in Faith as Adults. Fear always wants the best part of our lives, which is your youth, because it knows if it grows up with you, then there is no chance of it growing out of you. Fear will always try to set itself up as being the truth and keep you living in fear. But Faith will pull you towards wanting a life and wanting to live it more abundantly. 

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full

John 10:10 

If childhood fears are keeping you on the sidelines of life, watching the faithful have life and living life abundantly, Be that kid! Look fear in the face and yell MY TURN! Jump in and declare John 10:10 over your life “I know that the thief comes only to steal my joy, kill my dreams and destroy my life. But Jesus came to give me life with all its abundance, provisions, overflowing and bursting at the seams”.

May the Joy of the Lord instantly become your strength to encourage you to overcome any fears that you might experience. Remember, in our daring to be brave, when we throw caution to the wind, casting our cares in Faith upon Him through the ride. Peace, love, and joy are set loose in the atmosphere, and it permits other riders to do the same. Allowing us to all rejoice in knowing we have triumphant victory in Riding the Good Ride of Faith.

If this post ministered to you or encourage you in any way, please share with your fellow Wind Sisters.

Be Strong and of Good Courage, 

LaShaun and Mrs. Cavatica