The last time we were in this space was in 2019. So much has happened in our world and changed in our families since that time. But God’s Grace kept us and brought us back, where every Sunrise brings Hope, and every sunset brings Peace. Proof that no matter what craziness happens on this side of heaven, every day can end beautifully with the ones you love and those that love you back. I wish we could have ridden our bikes, but I don’t think my mother would have enjoyed being a passenger on the back of my Spyder or my husband’s road glide, LOL. It’s hard to believe we only have 11 days left in 2022. But here we are! And I find myself saying over and over… Peace Be Still.
Hill Country 2022 Chapter Ride, Three Twisted Sister
2022 has brought me so much joy as a Spyder Rider, and I have learned so much this year. If I had to choose the lesson that has blessed me the most as a rider, it would be knowing when to let my Peace Be Still. I love rolling on three wheels, but I’m also learning to balance moving with taking time out to be still. Let the lessons of the open road catch up to minister to my Heart and Soul. Facing my fears of riding my Can-Am Spyder on the open road has been an act of faith and obedience. And it’s hard to see growth when you constantly move and focus on the next ride or group ride.
It was a blessing walking along the shoreline and sitting at the water’s edge, allowing my Peace to be still, reflecting on all my rides this year, and thanking God, we made it back home safely after ride. Listen, it’s fun riding on the open road, and there’s no doubt it brings Peace like no other. However, there is something to be said for letting your Peace be still in a place where you can get before God, thanking Him for the opportunity and pleasure of riding Can-Am Spyder’s, Rykers, and Rallies on the open road in FAITH, not fear.
Women of Fearless Faith, this weekend is Christmas, and my Christmas wish for all of you is, “May the Spirit of the living God bring you Peace. And may you allow that Peace to Be Still, thanking Him for Riding in Faith, not fear”. May you all continue to grow in wisdom, knowledge and understanding as a Can-Am Riders.
You and I are so loved, so stop and take these last 11 days of 2022 to be still in a place that allows your soul to find rest. And thank God for the blessing and lesson of 2022.
Well, here we are! The month of October when cooler weather comes to visits. Sweaters and boots are pulled from the back of the closets to be worn, and just about every other hand is warmed by a pumpkin spice latte LOL. Saturday, October 8th, is National Motorcycle Ride Day, encouraging all riders to gear up, mount up and get one last ride before the start of the winter season. But for us Texans! Cooler weather means… We’re just getting started! For months our weather has been hotter than hells inferno and as for me, riding was put on hold until cooler weather prevailed, and it has! Fall Fresh on me Lord!
My heart and soul are ready for some Fall Riding. Dare I say, throttled with anticipation of gearing up, mounting up, and hitting the open road on a crisp fall Texas morning. Seeing the trees blazing with God’s glory. Knowing that, yes! Seasons change, but our Father in heaven never does. As fresh, anew, and green as our creator is in the beauty of Spring and Summer, He is just as Glorious and Magnificent in the golds, reds, of a Texas Fall season. And I, for one, am looking forward to cutting through the crisp Fall Texas morning air in full faith, knowing that with a new season comes new mercies… Fall Fresh on me Lord! which brings me to this cross.
The Cross of Tomball, located on the grounds of River of Praise Church, Tomball, Texas
This massive cross inspired and donated by Paula Whitaker a local mother whose son Ryan passed away several years ago, she took a road trip around the US to get away from it all. She and her husband came across a beautiful giant cross and they were completely blown away! In that moment, God placed it on their hearts to build a cross in Tomball, Texas in honor of their son, Ryan and to serve as a light to the community. This massive cross would catch my attention every time our chapter rode in the area. So much so that I thought how cool it would be to kick off our Fall Riding season with Prayer on National Motorcycle Ride Day. So, my husband and I gathered at the foot of this beautiful majestic cross and offered up prayers for Our Family, Faith, and Freedom…
Let Us Pray!
Heavenly Father,
God of all blessings, source of all life, giver of all grace: We thank you for the gift of life: the breath that sustains us, the food of this earth that nurtures us, and the love of our families and friends. Lord, we thank you for all these blessings and much more.
FOR OUR FAITH, WE PRAY
Father in heaven, we praise you for your faithfulness to us. You are loving and kind, always present, always available, and always protecting. Father, you never, ever let your word come back void. If you say it, we know we can believe it. Father, we gather here at the foot of the cross, asking that you would give each of us here increased capacity for unshakable faith. Father God, show us your hand in our daily lives, in the big and the little things we may go through on this side of heaven! Father God, preserve us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties and hide all that concerns us under the shadows of your mighty wings. Father, Fall Fresh upon Us!
FOR OUR FAMILIES, WE PRAY
Heavenly Father, We Thank you for the Gift of Family. Bless our families with your love and protect them from all harm, hurt, and danger. Father, protect them from all evil and save them from any enemy plans. Father, give us grace, upon grace to forgive. And strength to overcome any difficulties we might face as a family. And restore the bonds that have been broken with some of our family members. Father, we ask that you heal members of our families who are hurting emotionally. Give them comfort and peace that transcends all understanding. Father, guard their minds and hearts against anger, hatred, strife, bitterness, unforgiveness, doubt, anxiety, and depression. Father, renew in them a right mind and a peaceful Spirit. And Father keeps us united as this side of heaven tries to divide us and pull our families apart. Father Fall Fresh upon Us!
FOR OUR FREEDOM, WE PRAY
Heavenly Father, God our Creator, from your provident hand, we have received our right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. You have called us your own and given us the right and the duty to worship you freely, the only true God and your Son, Jesus Christ. Through the power and working of your Holy Spirit, you call us to live out our faith on this side of heaven, bringing light and the saving truth of the Gospel to everyone we meet.
Heavenly Father, we ask you to bless us in our vigilance for the blessing of religious liberty. And give us the strength of mind and heart to readily defend our freedoms when threatened and, as people of faith, give us the courage to make our voices heard. So, with every trial withstood, and every danger overcome—for the sake of our Faith, our Families, and all who come after us—this great land will always be “One Nation, Under God, Indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.”
Now, Father God, do what only you can, bless us, and keep us. Lord, make your face shine upon us and be gracious to us. Lord, keep your face turned towards us and always keep us in perfect peace as we ride the good ride of faith … in Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen!
Father Fall Fresh upon us Lord!
After praying for all we hold near and dear, we hit the road for a Psalms 91-mile Ride through the back country roads North of Texas to Breakfast at Black Walnut Cafe, located in Conroe Texas.
Listen, God is Good. Don’t let anyone tell you any different and with the changing of seasons It’s apparent. Life starts to reflect the beauty of God as the calendar of our life’s winds down to a new year. Just as we prayed for family, faith and freedom and let go of all burdens that so easily beset us and laid them at the foot of the cross, trees are also doing the same… let go of this year’s foliage. So, I pray a Fresh Fall Anointing upon your ride the season and as leaves fall and surrender to a new season around the bend may the Spirit of God Fall Fresh upon you and all that you hold near and dear – LA
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. Love,
Photographer JC Findley: A hand painted Texas flag on a cedar post barbed wire fence near Chappell Hill TX. It really doesn’t get much more Texan than this!
April is here; spring has sprung forward and blessed us with more daylight for more extended riding here in Texas. Our Blue Bonnets are blooming and starting to show off as well. This past weekend my Husband and I finally got to take in the beauty of riding the open roads with our H.O.G Motorcycle Chapter. My Husband rides a Harley and is a member, and wives become Associate members, L.O.H Ladies of Hog, even though I ride a Spyder…now how cool is that?
Taking a little break in the courtyard near The Gladewater Museum, in Gladewater Texas
This month we went on our first long overnight chapter ride; Texarkana Weekend Courthouse Ride, where we traveled to northeast Texas with an overnight stay on the edge of Arkansas and rode our bikes through some of the most beautiful little quaint country towns I’ve ever seen, known as “Small Town America”. It was beautiful, and now I understand what they mean when you hear it said, “you could spend a lifetime in Texas and never get to see all the lovely little hidden gems it has to offer.” The courthouses and little towns were something right out of a Hallmark movie, I kept expecting to see Andy and Barney of Mayberry strolling down the sidewalk.
We road over 800 miles that weekend, and I woke up feeling every mile Monday Morning. I’m still amazed how things worked out for us to even go; as the week before after getting home from a 256 miles Group ride, my Husband noticed that a bolt had come loose and had broken off; stuck in place, preventing him from riding… But God! You can check out that video on my channel Adventured of Fearless Faith on YouTube entitled “Why We Pray”. Daily God is teaching me that when we stay in Faith, it allows Him to work everything out for our Good and His Glory.
God is always providing opportunities to grow in our Faith and Trust in Him. This is why I believe that when God wants to teach you, the enemy will try to cheat you, rob you of valuable lessons designed to bless you, and strengthen your Faith, Hope, Trust, and Belief in Him. The two-day ride was absolutely gorgeous! As we rode our bikes through the gentle rolling hills of Texas, I soon realized why the devil tried to stop my husband and me from making this chapter ride. The devil wanted to rob us of the Lessons in Blessings instore for us that weekend. He didn’t want us to see the goodness and beauty of the Lord from the saddles of our bikes. He didn’t want us to experience the random acts of love and simple kindness from people you would never expect it from. And he definitely didn’t want us gaining anymore wisdom, knowledge and understanding when it comes to the skill of traveling and riding in group rides.
The enemy didn’t want me to see that people genuinely really do like bikers and not all bikers are the representations of fictional characters portrayed on television. As we rode our bikes down the highways of Texas, in groups of five and six like a beautiful chorus line, a dance between our bikes and the road, people rolled down their windows and waved to us. Cars at intersections waved us through stop signs so we were not separated as a group. At the hotel, when we checked in, they permitted us to park our bikes right out front under the hotel-lighted Portes-cochères so that our bike would be safe and visible overnight. The young hotel clerk was so impressed by all of our bikes rolling in he came out to take video footage and photos…”Man! Y’all look cool as Hell rollin’ up in here!” were his exact words with the biggest smile on his face. LOL
Dinner at Connection Bar & Grill Saturday night, Chicken Stuffed Asparagus with Cheese
Dinner that night, was at a convention hotel next door, a waiter took his time with us and served us in the Spirit of Excellence, while unbenounced to us, the entire bill for nine people was paid for by one of our chapter members…what a blessing! Not that we couldn’t pay, and I’m not into guessing how many pennies were in everyone’s pocket sitting around the table. Nevertheless, we were all blessed and very much appreciative of the gesture. The entire weekend was giving off a “Random Acts of Love” kind of vibe as we laughed, and my Husband and I listened to members of our chapter share hilarious stories of past chapter rides.
Hotel Breakfast Bar Sunday morning and it was very much needed for the 350 miles day ahead of us.
On Sunday, day 2 of our ride, we sat with a fellow chapter member at breakfast. We all shared personal life stories of how life has changed since the covid pandemic, while Hotel guests interrupted our conversation to compliment me on my Spyder and share that they, too, were once fellow bikers. That’s when I realized that even though we don’t look the same, our stories are similar, and at the core of what united us in riding the open road was our love for Faith, Family, and Freedom of riding the open road. Every conversation we had on that courthouse ride was rooted in a deep love for those three things… FAITH, FAMILY, and FREEDOM. The very thing this the enemy is trying his best to destroy.
The Spirit of God was living, moving, and breathing throughout the weekend, showing us grace upon grace. I didn’t know to bring cleaning products to clean the bugs off our bikes once we arrived at the hotel, but when I came back down with a towel, our bikes were cleaned by a fellow chapter member… grace…
“Small Town America” Gladewater, Texas known for being a base during Elvis Presley’s early career, and also as the town where Johnny Cash wrote, “I Walk the Line”. I took a little break to take it all in.
Lord, I want to see you and know that you see me. Lord, I want to feel you and know that you haven’t forgotten about me – LaShaun Jackson
This was the song of my heart, as I traveled the long and winding country roads of “Small Town America,” I realized God was answering my heart’s song with every mile that we traveled on this chapter courthouse ride. He saw me as a hand waved from a car passing by; he saw me at the intersection when the lady in the red vehicle waved me through the stop sign so that I wouldn’t be separated from the group. He saw me in deep conversation over breakfast with a fellow chapter member as a hotel guest interrupted to ask if the white bike was mine; she loved the scriptures on my bike. When a fellow chapter member paid for our dinner, he saw me when my bike was covered in bugs, pollen, and dirt and was cleaned by a fellow chapter member. He saw me when I was hugged and kissed on the cheek by fellow chapter members who said, “I’m so glad you guys came, and you rode fantastic!” As we said our goodbye at our last lunch stop and headed back home to Houston.
Day two last lunch stop of the day Cowboy Chicken, Longview Texas
The past three months have been excruciating and heartbreaking as those closest to me chose to find more wrong in me than good. And I am constantly being accused of things so out of character that it started causing me to question who God said I was (Galatians 3:26) and what God said I could do (Philippians 4:13). I was beginning to doubt all the gains I’ve made since “Riding the Good Ride of Faith.” But that’s what the enemy wanted; he’s good at accusing, which is why the Bible calls him “the accuser of the brethren” Revelations 12:10.
But in His Faithfulness, God took two days and over 800 miles with eight bikes and nine riders through some of the most beautiful little towns in Texas to heal my heart and to remind me of who I’m not. So, when the world tries to tell you who you are, mount up, gear up, and take off on a long chapter ride and let God remind you of Who’s you are.
Day 2 in Gilmer Texas, 3rd Court house of the day.
If this post ministered to youor 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
March is here! The 3rd month of the new year. Basketball fans consider it “March Madness” while others, consider it the liturgical season of Lent. A Religious observance in the Christian liturgical calendar that starts on Ash Wednesday and ends approximately six weeks later, depending on the Christian denomination and local custom. Lent concludes either on Maundy Thursday or at sundown on Holy Saturday, when the Easter Vigil is celebrated.
During the season of Lent, it is customary to give up Something for 40 days like chocolate, beer, wine, TV, movies, video games, entertainment over the Internet, etc. The list is endless to what one might sustain from during the season of Lent. But as I pondered this practice, I thought, “why give up something for 40 days just to pick it back up again?” Do Something, do more of a good thing instead of giving up Something. Since the pandemic, the election, and the great racial divide of 2020, we stopped Sunday family dinner, So I plan to get the gang back together and make the devil mad…Let him know what he meant for our bad; God is now using it for our Good and His Glory.
I could give up a lot this Lent, but then after 40 days, I’ll go right back to it. Lord, I want to Do Something these next 40 days, instead of giving up Something. I want to love more, rejoice more, pray even more, go deeper in your word more, exercise more, drink more water, tell my family I love them more, plan more intimate times with my husband where we can sit, hear each other’s heart without any distractions and yes! Plan more rides together where we can stop along the way to take in the beauty of our Great State of Texas.
Luke 9:23, says “Then he said to them all: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” So, I understand March is all about “giving up” Something, but our world and immediate families are in need of doing something…doing more of “good somethings”. I want to do Something that pleases you, honors you, and brings you Glory for the sacrifice you gave that was your only begotten Son. I want my heart open and compassionate toward things I have never seen before because I know my time is growing shorter every day on this side of heaven. I don’t want to waste time giving up Something; I want to spend whatever time I have on this side of heaven, doing more of Good Something that brings Glory to You and the kingdom of heaven because the People around me matter. Their stories matter. Their hurts and their brokenness matter.
Father God, I thank You for March, and I thank you for the chance to Do Something this season of Lent. Show my appreciation for the sacrifice of your Son, who hung bled and died on the cross for my sins, so that I might be free. Loving Father, help me cultivate a good “Do Something” Spirit so the world may know of your loving-kindness, mercy, and grace. May I not only come to you in this season of Lent with my needs, praise, and thanksgiving but with an ear and a heart ready to hear and serve. Father God, help me not let social media distractions and the busyness of this side of heaven drown out your still small voice. Father, create a pure heart and renew a steadfast Spirit within me to do a good and meaningful Something, in this season of Lent I can be the change you want to see in the world and in my family…In Jesus Name I Pray… Amen
What can you do this month that might bring Glory to God? What is your Do Something in the season of giving up something?
If this post ministered to youor 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
Happy 13th Day of a New Year, Wind sisters, Texas has been a bit chilly and raining lately, so I haven’t had my 1st ride of a New Year just yet. But I have learned “All Rides Come in Due Time.” So, when God opens a ride of opportunity, I shall ride.
In the meantime, as with every morning, I start with coffee in bed, staring out the window taking in the morning coming into view while the birds play in the hedges by our bedroom window.
Then I had broken my morning rule, which is no social media before coffee picking up my phone to see what today’s Facebook memory was and BOY! It was a hug straight from heaven. A post I wrote ten years ago, which oddly could be my 10-year Facebook challenge post that everyone is flooding their timelines with, because It’s a situation I’m presently dealing with as a mother. Ten years ago today, I posted about closure, tying up loose ends, putting periods on chapters, throwing away keys to close doors. I realized that my mothering season had changed into a season of counseling, which is seldomly wanted these days, and that my heart and soul were heavily grieved by it.
Being me, I pressed down feeling of not being needed or wanted, I kept it moving because Life went on, and I didn’t want red crying eyes dealing with my cake clients. But ten years ago today, God delivered a WORD to my home mailbox that popped up in my Facebook memory this morning and confirmed why I love HIM so and oh! how He cares for me as a mother and Woman of often time weary faith.
You see, God knew the knife that was headed straight for my heart this week, and He also knew the hands that would be holding it. So, He again sent His word to comfort me, a napkin for my tears that read NO COINCIDENCE!
Artist Unknown: In devotional art, the Immaculate Heart of Mary is traditionally depicted pierced with seven wounds or swords, in homage to the seven sorrows of Mary. The Immaculate Heart of Mary refers to the interior life of the Blessed Virgin Mary — her joys and sorrows, her virtues and hidden perfections, and, above all, her virginal love for God the Father, her maternal love for her son Jesus, and her compassionate love for all people.
With the scripture from the Message Bible that read “I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out – plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for “Jeremiah 29:11 and it ended with this prayer…
I AM TAKING CARE OF YOU, Feel the warmth and security of being enveloped in my loving presence. Every detail of your Life is under my control. Moreover, everything fits into a pattern for good to those who love Me and are called according to my design and purpose. Because the world is in an abnormal fallen condition, people think that chance governs the universe. Events may seem to occur randomly, with little or no meaning. People who view the world this way have overlooked one basic fact: the limitations of human understanding.
What you know of the iceberg submerged beneath the surface of the visible world are mysteries too vast for your heart and mind to comprehend. But if you could only see how close I am to you when your heart is raw, weary, and wounded by knives held by hands you once cradled and held on to, you would know I’m constantly working on your behalf; you would never again doubt that I am wonderfully caring for you. This is why you must live by faith, not by sight, trusting in my mysterious, majestic presents at all times, no matter what Life brings your way.
Ladies, this is our Faithful God! Who not only cares about us but everything that happens to us. God is not blind to the things that wound our hearts and cause our soul and spirits to become weary and downtrodden. He’s got you and me in the palm of His hands, and the 10-year post popping up in my Facebook memory today was a hug from His thrown of grace that reminded me…
“Though familiar hands may hurt my heart, Gods loving hands will always be there to heal my heart and love all the pain away.”
May the Joy of the Lord instantly become your strength to encourage you to overcome any fears that you might experience and remember, it is through triumphant trust in God that we can rejoice and keep daring to be brave while riding the good ride of faith.
Have a beautiful and blessed day ladies xoxoxo
How did this post encourage you today?
If you know someone who will be comforted by this post, please do share.
Christmas time is here, and it’s one of my favorite holidays for two reasons. One, it is when we celebrate the birth of our savior, and second, it was one of my late Grandmother’s favorite holidays. She loved making the home festive and filled with the Spirit of Christmas. I loved helping her put up the tree, hang Christmas lights inside the house, and even bake her famous sweet potato pies for Christmas dinner as a little girl. I would help Granddaddy hang Christmas lights on the front porch and hedges that trimmed the front of the house. It was a magical time as Nat King Cole’s “The Christmas Song” filled the house with Christmas cheer. I know what you are thinking….”Gurrrrrrl that sounds like a movie” LOL but it wasn’t. Growing up in Detroit with my Grandparents was exactly like that.
As a grandma myself, I admit that I struggle with this time of year because the memories of my grandma and her Christmas joy always made everything right this time of year, even though I’m sure it wasn’t. But as a kid, it was heaven on earth to me. Grandma made sure the house was filled with Holiday joy and the Spirit of Christ. But that was then; in the early ’70s, times were different. Fast forward to now, trying to fill grandma’s shoes is next to impossible in this day and age. Trying to keep the tradition of Christmas cheer within our homes four walls has been like a roller coaster or maybe more like a nightmare on elm street.
Our family dynamic is not what it used to be, making it hard to usher in the old holiday spirit that Grandma did so effortlessly back in the day when I was a little girl.
But then I recall a time when I was helping Grandma put tinsel on the Christmas tree, I was standing next to her as she would sitting on a chair, and I heard her mumbling something under her breath. I asked, “Grandma, what are you sayin’? She replied I’m prayin”. Maybe that’s why the home felt the way it did. As Grandma put up Christmas decorations, she prayed her way to peace, love and joy.
As I sit here typing this last post of 2021, the song, One Wish by Whitney Houston came on google chrome. I thought, “If I had one wish, what would it be?” The little girl in me wanted my Grandma back, so that I could decorate the house by her side just one more time. But the Women of fearless faith and Grammy that I have grown up to be wish for this, and that is…
Heavenly Father, please extend your ear from heaven and hear every household praying, trusting, and believing that better days are coming. You sent your only begotten Son through a virgin to guarantee that it would. Father, forgive the hearts that seem a little weary, and Father have mercy on the Spirits that seem less than joyful. Father, fix our eyes and hearts on the light of the Christ Child….your light so that peace, love and joy will fill our homes to full and overflow this Christmas season.
Amen.
If this post ministered to youor 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.
Merry Christmas and Have a Happy New Year!
Better Days are Coming…
Be strong and of good courage, LaShaun and Mrs. Cavatica
Heavenly Father, I thank you for your Son Jesus, who you sacrificed so that I would not perish but have everlasting life.
Father, when I think of all that could have happened in my life and in the lives of those I love and cherish but didn’t, my soul cries out THANK YOU LORD! What can I say to a God who gives you everything you need when you deserve nothing at all? Lord, how can I ever thank You enough? Every time I’ve called on you, you have been right there in my time of need. My rock, when I was weak, and my hiding place when I needed shelter from the storms of life.
Father, Thank you! For being my Faithful God, the light that surrounds me, and the love that never fails me. For keeping my head lifted high and my eyes fixed toward your mountains where all my help has come from.
Father, continue to help me be a woman of faith who keeps her eyes on You and praises You, no matter what may come my way, for these blessings (name them) and these challenges (name them) Father, I thank you. I know You are always in control of everything, and everything you control will always work out for My Good and Your Glory.
Father, Thank You for answering my prayers and for being Faithful in my life every day. Please help me continue Riding the Good Ride of Faith while always reflecting a life of Thanks-Living In Jesus’ Name, I Pray Amen
John 3:16; Psalm 84:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:18; Ephesian 5:20; Deuteronomy 7:9; Psalm 121:1; Romans 8:28; Matthew 7:7, 8, Numbers 23:19
If this post ministered to youor 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
I can’t believe it’s been a year since I got my bike, Mrs. Cavatica! When I joined the Women of On-Road Can-Am Facebook Group back in May of 2020, all I had was a wish and maybe a mustard seed size of faith, but that was it. We were in the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic; Texas was under stay-at-home mandates. My husband’s job had him working from home, and then decided to furlough him and lay off a good portion of its work staff.
It was NOT! A happy time. It was stressful as hell! Watching my husband work from home in my creative space, as he monitored his email, for that virtual tap on the shoulder, “Hey! Your time is up! We’re laying you off”. The world was going to hell in a handbasket right before our very eyes. We knew if we, as a family, had any chance of weathering this storm, we were going to have to press into Psalm 91 and trust God more than ever.
“Lord, cover us and bring us out of this better than when we went into this”
On the other hand, being a Pastry Chef, I had just declared 2020 as my year to kick the fear of working with Brides and Wedding Cakes to the curve. I had spent $500.00 to take an 8-week wedding cake business class in December of 2019. I had booked three weddings with the possibility of being on a wedding venue’s preferred vendors list for 2020, I was in culinary heaven on cloud 9.
Sweeter at Home Private Cake Tastings with Chef LaShaun
And then EVERYTHING! Was gone! The weddings I booked were canceling left and right. I was devastated big time! I’m talking, “you hear the ice cream man coming, mama gives you her last dollar to get ice cream, and you get the biggest three scoops of ice cream the cone can hold. Then out of nowhere, the mean and hateful kid from down the street knocks it out of your hand.”…that kind of devastated.
It was a “Soul Hurt,” the kind of hurt that only a small cottage business owner could understand. Soul hurts are tied to your passion, which connects you and me to the universe and its creator. So when I came across the Women of On-Road Facebook Group, my Soul had found a new home. I was encouraged, inspired, informed, and educated on these strange 3-wheel bikes that allow women from all ages, races, backgrounds to trade fear for faith, casting their cares to the wind and seeing the world through the freedom of riding the open road.
I have grown tremendously as a Spyder Ryder since taking the Can-Am 3-Wheel Riders Course, passing and getting my motorcycle endorsement last year. My husband and I joined a local Harley Davison HOG Motorcycle Chapter. We have gained a wealth of knowledge regarding Group Riding Etiquette, Riders Safety, and Group Ride Protocol. Which helps us ride like two-state troopers when we’re riding as a couple together LOL. 100 Mile ride through Sam Houston State Park to Grimes County Courthouse – Anderson. The Italianate courthouse designed by F.S. Glover and Company and completed in 1894 features both brick and native stone.
Seriously! If someone told me in 2019, “You know! LaShaun, in 2020 and 2021 the world is gonna go to hell in a handbasket, and it’s gonna look like you’re a movie extra in a Tom Clancy – Stephen King Movie. But keep your Faith in tack because God is gonna bless you with a fun way to escape it all.” I would have never believed it…but God! I have never felt so much a LIVE, and blessed as I do when I get on my bike Mrs. Cavatica and hit the open road with the love of my life, my husband, my best friend, and only forever. I can genuinely testify that despite everything swirling around us, God is holding me, growing me, and showing me how deeply HE cares for me through my rides. I’m amazed how God has used a 3 wheel bike, oddly call a “Spyder” to strengthen and grow my Faith and complete Trust in HIM. Trust me when I tell you, NOTHING! Will test and improve your prayer life, like riding motorcycles…on Texas Interstates.
LaShaun Jackson, Inspirational Blogger & Speaker
Fear says “What if” Faith says “Even if”
When I brought Mrs. Cavatica home a year ago, she sat in the garage for 2 weeks before I would ride her. I was scared…FEAR had me Terrified of “what if.” Then the Spirit of God spoke to my heart “you can’t pray in faith and then operate in fear.” So we hit the road and with each ride, my Faith was strengthened with an attitude of “even if”, I’m no longer consumed with “what if” because my life and time is in God’s Hands. God’s Faithfulness has provided an escape from all the craziness on this side of heaven. I can trust this next chapter of my life and journey with Mrs. Cavatica… every ride is a good ride of faith because I know The Author and Finisher of My Faith!
Question!
Was riding motorcycles something that God was leading you to do? How so? Riding motorcycles does not guarantee safety, but knowing you are being obedient in facing your fears, and stepping out in faith builds confidence, even if there is a risk. How did stepping out in Faith build your confidence? Has your faith in riding the open road been strengthened? How so?
If this post ministered to youor 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.
This morning, I woke up reflecting on a conversation my husband and I had over labor day dinner last night. Why are you so angry? He asked. You don’t see it, but lately, you have been. I tried to dismiss his observation with a gentle rebuttal that instantly confirmed that yes! I was furious and highly pissed off…when I snapped at him and replied, “have you seen the state of our world?” my rant must have gone on for 10-15 minutes before he said, “has anything you just said made you feel better?” then he called me out…
Where is your faith??? Don’t you know everything that is going on right now has an expiration date on it? You know, you talk a good faith game at times, then you let what you see shake your faith, and then you allow what you see to pull you towards the pit with the rest of them who are easily tossed about when the Storm comes.
Lately, my Spirit has been highly vexed, agitated, angry? I have tried to suppress it and cover it up, but after being married for 32 years, that is almost impossible to do. My husband and I have been together since I was 17, so covering up or hiding my inner thoughts or feelings doesn’t work. He can always tell when I have gone internal.
I had to admit he was right; the troubles on this side of Heaven were starting to shake my faith and beginning to chip away at my peace and the hope that “Trouble don’t last always.”
During our tuff love conversation, It brought to mind a message I heard years ago from a well-known pastor that preached, “When the storms of life come, you have to learn how to be an observer. You have to have an unshakeable faith that will allow you to stand amid the Storm and watch everything swirl around you without getting caught up in it.”
Unshakable faith comes from being prepared, covered. Like the story “Sleeping though the Storm,” about a Farmer-who owned land along the Atlantic seacoast. Most people were reluctant to work for the Farmer whose land was along the Atlantic. Storms were awful and would wreak havoc on buildings and crops; finally, after many reluctant interviews, a short, thin man well past middle age approached the Farmer, and when asked, “Are you a good farmhand?” the farmer replied, “well, I can sleep when the wind blow,” answered the little man. So the Farmer hired him, and he proved to be a good worker.
Then one night, a bad storm hit with howling loud winds from offshore. The owner of the farm jumped out of bed, grabbed his lantern, and rushed into the hired hand’s bunkhouse. He shook the little old man and yelled, “Get up! A storm is coming! Tie-down everything before it blows away!” The little man rolled over and replied firmly, “No sir. I told you, I can sleep when the wind comes.”
The Farmer was tempted to fire him right then and there, until he noticed all the haystacks had been covered, the cows were all in the barn, the chickens were in their coops, and all the doors had been barred. It was then the Farmer understood what the hired hand meant, and he went back to bed and slept while the wind blew.
You see, when you cover yourself with the Word of God, you are prepared, you can sleep when the winds of life blow. You have nothing to fear because like the song says “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweet frame but wholly lean on Jesus’ name. On Christ the solid rock I stand All other ground is sinking sand.”
Art work entitled “My Deliverer” by Jeanette Sthamann
Lord, amid life’s many storms, strengthen my capacity to sleep, stand or even rest in the center of your peace – LaShaun Jackson
I woke up this morning, and my Spirit called out to Psalm 91. It’s one of my favorite scripture in the bible; it is a scripture where, when read, you can feel your soul coming back into alinement with the Spirit of God, and if you have good people around you that are sensitive to your Spirit, they can tell when you need a “Faith Check.” Psalm 91, along with my husband are my Faith Checker’s, psalms 91 pulls everything back together and grounds me with God’s Truth and Promises, despite what my eyes see. Lord, Forgive me for going by what I see and not trusting in your Word and what I know.
I thank God for My Husband this morning. God has given Him the ability to have hard conversations with me, in love, and as hard as those conversations are at times, they are always for my Good and God’s Glory. My husband reminded me last night, over our labor day dinner, that I was letting the situations and circumstances of our world’s current Storm to steal, kill, and destroy my joy… Don’t let it!
Beloved Wind Sister, How are you resting in this current Storm? Have you secured your foundation to withstand the storms and winds of life? Do you have a Faith Checker in Life?
Declaration of Faith for Standing Storms
Lord, my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer. My God, I take refuge in you. When the storms of this life flood my soul, You are my deliverer, my rock, and my peace. Sometimes the situations and circumstances of what I see get the best of me, and I start to drown in fear. But you are my lighthouse, and the light of your Love guides me back to peace. Thank you, heavenly Father, for shining your light of Love through others to remind me of your faithfulness. In Jesus name I pray, Amen
Psalm 91; Psalm 18-1-2; 2 Thessalonians 3:3
If this post ministered to youor 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
Have your eyes ever opened to a brand-new day that you have never seen before? And as soon as your feet hit the floor, your soul says, “We Need a Long Ride.” Well, it just might be your creator calling you back to yourself and joining Him for a long ride on the open road.
Be the kind of women who, when your feet hit the floor each morning, the devil says “Oh, no! She’s up.” – Joanne Clancy
Nothing is more understanding or forgiving than a good long ride on the open road. Along ride on the open road knows what you need without you asking, and it gives you time to come to yourself, acting and thinking like one’s usual self. Much of our day-to-day calls us into being everything to everyone, except being ourselves. A long Ride brings all of you back to being you.
When you need Grace, the unmerited favor of God, you will find a straight road up ahead to clear your thoughts and ease your troubled mind. When you need Mercy, God’s loving-kindness, the opened road will bring you a few curves to lean into, reminding you if not for God’s Grace and Mercy, where on earth would we be? And when you need reassurance, along comes a fellow rider offering the two-finger wave, letting you know you are not alone on this crazy side of heaven.
Photo Credit: Can Am Spyder Gallery
In some ways, I think a long ride on the open road on a beautiful day is better than talking to a friend. You see, a long ride is just there to listen to you, and it creates a stunning backdrop for the soul to commune with its creator.
Photo Credit: Can Am Spyder 2014 Photo Gallery
It does not judge you or make you feel obligated to listen to other opinions or suggestions. On a long ride, you can be yourself and can share your heart, vent, and be ok with a long pregnant pause as you breathe in all the beauty surrounding you and exhale all that troubles your weary soul.
I often imagine a long ride as being a Church. My Spyder Mrs. Cavatica, the pew or mourners’ bench from where I confess all my shortcomings and release all my fears and worries upon the one who cares for me. A long ride can and will minister to you if you let. A long ride is like a good Sunday Morning word from your favorite Pastor, and if the sun is shining, the sky is blue; well, the choir has just sung an A & B selection that was sure to bless your soul.
The worries and trouble on this side of heaven are never-ending and can overtake us at times. Still, I believe the Spirit of God gives you and me an out, called “A Long Ride.” A long ride to vent, repent, relax and release all that burdens our souls. So, we can experience first-hand, from the saddles of our bike’s true freedom, because where there is freedom, you will find the Spirit of the Lord.
Beloved wind sister, I pray that when the worries of this side of heaven try to flood your soul and drown your Spirit with fear and weariness, the open road will call you to a long ride. And as you ride, your soul will be refreshed, your Spirit fed, and your heart made glad. May every mile you ride fuel your faith and flood out any fear.
Declaration of Faith for a Long Ride
Dear Lord, You promise me peace that would surpass all my understanding, the peace that would guard my heart and my mind. Lord, as I suit up, boot up, and mount up on my bike, I lay aside every worry, situation, and circumstance that is weighing my heart down. Lord, ride with me, speak to be, cover me and love all my worries and concerns away. Lord, help my mind rest in you, dwell in you as I take this long ride, and remember that I am held safely in your hands and safe with you. Amen
If this post ministered to youor 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
Adventures of Fearless Faith 