Every ride won’t be perfect, and you won’t feel as successful as all the other riders you’ll encounter as you take to the open road. You’ll make plenty of mistakes; lord knows I have, as you try to implement all the wisdom and suggestions experienced rider will offer you. You’ll feel foolish, cowardly, and skittish for the first few months, and you’ll question why you are even doing this? Why are you taking young folk’s chances with an old body? Wouldn’t it be easier to watch from the comfort and safety of the little empty nest you can finally enjoy? Because, after all, you have raised your family and served them well. Yet somewhere in the recess corners of your mind, you wonder if this is the perfect time to begin again?

But do we? Do we grab hold of this new season God has bestowed upon us? Do we boldly confess, “This is My Time,” and then ride in it with all of our God-given authority? As adults, we tend to forget about the kid in us, the fearless kid. That kid that looked for the tallest tree to jump from, the kid that rode bikes downhills with hands held high in the air, the kid who leaped from swings pushed beyond their limits. Somewhere along the path to becoming an adult, we lose that fearlessness; it’s like we’ve traded it for playing life safe. It’s as if we declared; my time has passed, I’ve missed my chance; never once do we ever consider that brave, fearless child within us. The child who played with reckless abandonment fell, hurt themselves, cried tears, yet somehow found the courage to get back into life, leaping, and jumping again.

Turning 55 this month, I find it strangely odd yet amusing that God would use riding a Can-Am Spyder on the open road to remind the little girl in me, “Yes! It’s ok to leap and jump again. It’s ok to fall, look foolish, and make mistakes if we don’t quit and give up because something in the ride feeds the kid in us, connecting us to the God of the Universe. Have you ever noticed how beautiful and crystal-clear nature looks from behind your visor, almost bringing tears to your eyes? I raise my visor, letting the wind dry my eyes; there’s no crying on the bike. Ever noticed the wind almost feels like a hug, and that strong breeze feels like a poke to say, “Hey! I see you, gurl.” And when you arrive back home safely, you feel like a kid on Christmas morning after opening up every gift you wanted from Santa, and you can’t wait to do it all over again.

I don’t know about you but riding the open road on my bike is sacred. It’s the only place where lately I have felt God’s intimate loving grace surround me. Riding the open road for me is where I heal; I go to chill, relax, and mentally release all my burdens and worries to the one who cares for me 1 Peter 5:7. I often joke with my husband about the road being my Church, my saddle being the pew. Gassing up our bikes is tithes and stopping for lunch is our offering to those serving us, LOL. With every ride, the Spirit of God has met me, in some form or fashion.

A smiling face at the stoplight from a child in the back seat of their parent’s car, an exciting hand wave from a baby out a car window on the highway, or that deep long winding curve that always puts my Faith in action. The open road indeed ministers to my heart and soul and extends grace for any mistakes I might have made, and I don’t feel foolish for finally waiting so long to enjoy this season of my life that I find myself in. Every ride builds my Faith, and as a rider, I get stronger, sure of my skills as a rider which allows me to fall more and more madly and deeply in love with the woman God is enabling me to become. A woman who is not afraid to make mistakes looks foolish, falls, gets back up, and begins again. Because the little girl in me that was once fearless has bandaged my boo-boos, given me a red lollipop, and sent the women in me back out to play… Begin Again.

There are things to be remembered when riding the open road in Faith, like how you felt when you passed your riding test and got your motorcycle endorsement or when you got the key to your Spyder, Ryker, or Rally in your hand. How it looked like your bike would never come, but God made a way out of no way. That first solo ride when the wind embraced you, and you got your first two-finger wave from a fellow motorcycle rider. How you feel when you arrive home safe and sound from a beautiful long ride, after having seen all the beauty and wonder God allowed you to take in, as you rode your bike on the open road.

Begin again with these things in mind when you get on your bike and fear starts to flood your heart and mind. Forget all the things that might make you feel unworthy, silly, and awkward when riding your bike. I believe that God is using women like us to show the world that FAITH is GREATER than fear and that there is a generation of Wind Sister Warriors called to ride in FAITH, not fear. Forget what the devil tries to tell you and how he makes you feel about what God said to you and what God said you could do and have through HIM…That is a sin! Don’t begin your ride with lies from the accuser of the brethren… don’t ruin your ride with fear!

Wind sister warrior, let me encourage you to “Begin Again” each ride with the TRUTH! That YOU are Worthy of the blessings of God, and you will begin every ride with forgetting the lies of the enemy and ride remembering the TRUTH of a MIGHTY GOD! That He will fulfill everything good purpose He sets your hands to perform, and every act prompted by your FAITH.

Declaration of Faith 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12

My Heavenly Father has counted me worthy of his calling. He has chosen me from among all the people of the earth to be his daughter by His power, which works so mildly with me; He fulfills every good purpose I have set my hands to perform and every act prompted by my Faith. The name of Jesus is glorified in me, and I in him according to the grace of my God and Lord, Jesus Christ.

Romans 8:26-30; 11:29; Ephesians 1:4; Colossians 1:27-29; Philippians 2:13; Deuteronomy 28:12; Isaiah 55:11; John 14:13, 14; 17:20-26

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

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.

Be strong and of good courage,
LaShaun and Mrs. Cavatica