My Turn!

On By lashaunjacksonIn Work Your FaithLeave a comment

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

Fearless Faith

On By lashaunjacksonIn Work Your Faith2 Comments
Photo Credit: gothic Archives

What is Fearless Faith?

Fearless Faith is all about decreeing one’s spiritual authority over fear. The spiritual power mentioned in 2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Declaring the promise of his power, and through Faith, we experience his love, allowing us to ride with confidence and clarity of mind.

It is taking a stand against FEAR, False Evidence Appearing Real, and anything that would set itself up against riding the good ride of Faith when riding the open roads courageously.

Fear will keep you paralyzed, sitting on the side-lines living a life of “what ifs. “what if a distracted driver hits me? What if a deer runs out in front of me? What if I forget how to operate my bike? These were all the thoughts that haunted me and flooded my heart and mind after taking the 3-wheel riding course, passing, and purchasing my bike.

Then one day, while washing dishes, I heard a gentle voice speak to my soul, “You can’t pray in Faith and then operate in fear.”

This valuable pearl of divine wisdom punches me in the gut like a sack of bricks when I realized I had prayed for God to bless me with a Can-Am Spyder F3T, and the moment I got it, fear flooded my soul.

You see, every time I looked at my bike sitting in the garage, I instantly felt like I was drowning in fear instead of floating in Faith. How could someone pray in detail for precisely what I desired, gets it during a national pandemic, and then allow fear to snatch my joy? Depriving you of casting your personal cares to the prevailing wind and dare to be brave on the open road.

My Spyder sat in the garage for two weeks before I realized, after seeing the picture of my bike on my vision board next to my bed, that “you cannot pray in faith and then operate in fear.” In other words, you cannot pray for God to bless you with something and then live-in fear of that blessing.

As we grow older, eagerly seeking peace and those things that deliver us peace, everyone that wants to live life and have it more abundantly finds themselves having a “not-yet” moment. Red “Redding,” Morgan Freeman’s character from Shaw Shank Redemption, called this moment “Get busy living or get busy dying.” or, as I like to put it, “Sink in fear or Float in Faith.”

Adventure of Fearless Faith is my “not-yet” moment. My attempt at daring to be brave. Floating in Faith and not sinking in fear of what if’s, living whatever time I have on this side of heaven, throwing caution to the wind while casting my burdens and cares on Him who loves me so I can enjoy the good ride of Faith.

Declaration of Faith

God did not give me a Spirit of fear and weakness. When I gear up, mount up, and take off on my bike to ride the open roads, I have power (miraculous ability), love, and remarkable self-control because I rely on God. I am unafraid, and I am not scared; what can man do to me? Nothing! Because God sufficiently covers me with His feathers, and under His mighty wing, He shelters me so I can ride the good ride of Faith.

2 Timothy 1:7; Psalm 56:11; Psalm 91:4; Psalm 91

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 

A True Friend

On By lashaunjacksonIn Mrs. CavaticaLeave a comment

Remember, Wilbur the Pig? The runt of the litter? Fern’s dad, Mr. Arable, wanted to “do away with him.” Still, through divine intervention, Wilbur was sold off to Mr. Zuckerman, Ferns’ uncle, who also had a plan:
Buy Fern’s sweet little pig.
Feed him lots of good food.
Eventually, turn him into bacon.
But Wilbur instantly meets a barn Spider by the name of Charlotte, Charlotte A. Cavatica, who devised a plan to save Wilbur’s life by spinning words in her web over the barn door opening where Wilbur stood each morning. Comments instantly made Mr. Zuckerman take notice that Wilbur’s life was recognizable value. He was Some Pig! Terrific! Radiant! Humble!

Meet Mrs. Cavatica!

Charlotte A. Cavatica, to be exact! My New 2020 Can-Am Spyder F3T
Remember Charlotte? The friendly, clever spider of Charlotte’s Web? Charlotte was a spider’s spider, a memorable character who taught us something very profound about brotherly love, genuine commitment, sincere friendship, and speaking prophetically over someone’s life.

“After all, what’s a life, anyway? We’re born, we live a little while, we die.”

― E.B. White Charlotte’s Web

Reflecting on my life while under stay-at-home orders due to COVID-19 back in May of 2020. Being an empty nester, married for over three decades, I too wanted a friend like Charlotte, and I wanted to live. After all, there is nothing like a national pandemic, murder hornets, and civil unrest to challenge one to put his or her own life into an even clearer perspective. So I knew I had to name my Spyder after this beloved character from E. B. White’s book Charlotte’s Web. I intentionally wanted to put some respect on her official name, so I deliberately chose Mrs. Cavatica.

I carefully selected the color pearl white because white is inherently a positive color associated with purity, light, goodness, heaven, safety, brilliance, illumination, understanding, faith, possibility, humility, sincerity, protection, and perfection. White would also be the perfect canvas for an actual graphic design I had in mind. Brought to life by Chris Fulton, local owner of Creative Wraps & Graphics, located here in Houston, Texas. Depicting Mrs. Cavatica riding along with me in all her splendor.

In carefully keeping with the theme of Charlotte’s Web, I wanted to make Mrs. Cavatiac extra special, so I asked my husband, “If Charlotte asked you to give her three words to describe me, what words would you give her?”. He tilted his head to the side, contemplating my question for a minute, looked at me, said Beautiful, Grounded, and Inspirational. Yeah! Beautiful, Grounded, and Inspirational.

“BEAUTIFUL”
Proverbs 31:25-26
She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

“GROUNDED”
Ephesian 3:16-19
that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have the strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

“INSPIRATIONAL”
Isaiah 40:28-31
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall, but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.

These are specific words of Hope and Encouragement Mrs. Cavatica and I will take out into the world when we ride. I sincerely hope that other women will be naturally encouraged and divinely inspired by seeing these words and take time out to look up the sacred scriptures that correspond with them.

Mrs. Cavatica and I sincerely hope that these words and scriptures will encourage women of all ages, races, and social backgrounds to trade fears for unshakable Faith and unapologetically get busy living! I fervently believe that God desires that our Hearts be light, our Souls be free, as we Ride the Good Ride of Faith.

Special Thanks,

To my husband Desmond, for always encouraging me to be the girl in my dreams.

Chris Fulton, Owner of Creative Wraps & Graphics LLC. For bring the vision in my head to life visually.

Cindy Oaks Porter, from White Hall, Maryland. She messaged me when I first joined the Can-Am Women of On-Road Facebook Group, back in May of 2020 and shared encouragement and her beautiful story of how she found her 2014 Spyder RT, lovely and affectionately named Angel.

Lastly, all the ladies in the Women On-Road Facebook Group, thank you for daring to be brave and throwing caution to the wind. By doing so, you permitted me to do the same.

Be strong and of good courage as you Ride the Good Ride of Faith,
LaShaun and Mrs. Cavatica

Fallen Feather

On By lashaunjacksonIn Thoughts To PonderLeave a comment
Brilliant Fallen Feather

We are all connected in sacred circle of the glorious ride.

Waking up one morning, I scrolled through Facebook. I noticed that one of our Wind Sisters departed from her life on May 1st, International Female Ride Day. Someone had posted a beautiful video montage of her personal life. I am sure it could have been deservedly a featured film because every life is a fascinating story jammed packed with memorable experiences. As I examined the brief video, I observed the confident smile on her fierce face.

The pink mirrored aviator sunglasses that I am sure she went to great lengths to pick out. Her lovely long silvered hair and her gorgeous Harley-Davidson motorcycle that you could undoubtedly tell she took great pride within. Personally, I did not know her, but I wanted to find out what happened to her; I googled her name only to find out a distracted driver hit her head-on, claiming her life. Typically, when you hear of such tragedies like this, you do not experience a connection. Referring to the posted comments from people associated with her, that road with her, and loved her. I realized that “We are all connected in the sacred circle of the glorious ride.”

The gentle air she breathes in and out of her lungs when she rides cautiously is the same air I breathe when I ride. The prevailing winds that she cuts through every time she mounts her Harley are the same wind that I cut through and enjoy when I ride my Spyder. The youthful energy and essence that she brings to the ride on the open road are the gifts I receive every time I ride my ride. It is passed on, left in the atmosphere for other riders to experience. I think every rider provides and surrenders a part of themselves to the ride, their minds, bodies, and souls.

This is what connects us all in the sacred circle of the glorious ride, and when that circle breaks, when one of our feathers has fallen, we steer a little lighter. Our fallen Wind Sister was one of the brilliant feathers in our mighty wings. That feather was unexpectantly taken and softly landed in another sacred space and time we have yet to be called to. I am sure many birds can fly, minus a feather, but they know that one is missing. I detected that loss when I contemplate the video montage of her. I felt as though my wings were just a little lighter due to the one brilliant feather missing. In the motorcycle community, the eagle is recognized as a symbol representing American patriotism, strength, tenacity, and fearlessness when riding on the open roads. When I think of an eagle’s wing, I think of each of us as an extension of that eagle’s wing…A brilliant feather.

“In the tapestry of life, we’re all connected. Each one of us is a gift to those around us, helping each other be who we are, weaving a perfect picture together.”

~Anita Moorjani

We are all connected, like the brilliant feathers of a mighty eagle’s wing. In a practical sense, our bikes are that eagle, and we, as riders, are like the feathers. When one of our feathers has inevitably fallen, there is a noticeable absence that is felt. Although we can still ride with one of our feathers missing, it is, nevertheless, a loss. A new feather will typically grow in its specific place, like a new rider, learning how to ride cautiously, purchasing a bike, and carefully taking to the open road. We undoubtedly gain new riders every day, or dare I justly say, we gain new feathers every day. So, Wind Sisters, enjoy the ride you get today, and let us pray for each other, new riders, and the fallen feathers we have lost along the way. Intentionally let us make sure we offer one another the “Bikers Wave” when we pass a fellow rider because yesterday’s ride is gone. Tomorrow’s ride is never promised…We only ride for today!

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 are seen throwing 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 gives other riders permission 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 as you Ride the Good Ride of Faith,
LaShaun and Mrs. Cavatica

Go Before Us Prayer

My Heavenly Father, King of Glory, before I (we) take to the open road, I (we) ask you to go before me (us) and clear the streets and roads that I (we) will ride. Father God, remove any and every obstacle that may block me (us) from reaching my (our) destination safely. Father, may my (our) eyes become sharp like the eyes of an eagle so that I (we) may see anything that would cause me harm or that could cause an accident for me (us) on the road. Father God, I (we) know that when I (we) pray, you hear me (us). So, I (we) have complete confidence in You and Your Word that I am (we are) covered with Your feathers, and under Your wings, I am (we) are safe. In Jesus’ name, I (we) believe and pray, Amen.
Psalms 91:4

I Am LaShaun

On By lashaunjacksonIn LaShaun JacksonLeave a comment

Wife, Mother, Empty Nester, Grammy and Women of Faith

Listen! at 53, I had no idea that there were that many Women of all ages, races, and backgrounds daring to live so bravely on the open road…and I wanted in!

I wanted to feel freedom like the women in the Can-Am Facebook Group, Women of On Road. I wanted to throw caution to the wind, suit up, boot up, mount up and ride off into “seeing the world through the ride.”

So June of last year, during the pandemic, I decided to fight the good fight of Faith. I took the Can-Am 3 wheel riding course, passed and 106 days later, I got a 2020 Spyder F3T that I lovingly named Mrs. Cavatica, Charlotte A. Cavatica.

I had always seen these strange bikes on the road and in magazines from time to time but never really paid any attention to them or who was riding them. Fear has a way of keeping your vision tunneled, playing it safe, living just a little?

Listen, I am a work in progress, and I don’t have life all figured out. But I know who does… God, He said it in His Word

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future

Jeremiah 29:11

Adventures of Fearless Faith is about my journey of trading my fear for Faith and taking to the open road with thousands of other women to Ride the Good Ride of Faith. My heartfelt desire is that women of all ages, races, and backgrounds will be encouraged, inspired, and blessed by this personal blog.

Disclaimer

This is a personal blog. Any views, opinions, or words of encouragement represented and expressed in this blog are personal, based on someone who has been in a “Broken Relationship” with Christ, a “Restored Relationship” with Christ, and now is dedicated to being in a “Right Relationship” with Christ.

The views, opinions, or words of encouragement represented and expressed in this blog belong solely to the blog owner and do not represent those of the people, institutions, or organizations that the owner may or may not be associated with within a professional or personal capacity unless explicitly stated.

Any views, opinions, or words of encouragement represented and expressed in this blog are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, or individual.