Do you ever doubt the vastness of God’s power because your eyes cannot see the end of His reach? It’s a human tendency to question what we cannot comprehend. But remember, God’s power is boundless, reaching beyond our worries, doubts, and fears. It’s taken me a while to post this month’s word of encouragement. I’ve been trying to wrap my head around what my heart needed to say.
like many others, I’ve faced significant challenges leading up to this year’s riding season. Coping with health struggles, family dynamics, and the transition of my adult children from the east coast to the west coast, all while Texas is beginning to sizzle with summer heat. However, in the midst of it all, I’ve managed to secure a 10-day vacation ride. My “Journey into Joy” has proven to be an extraordinary adventure that has made every struggle I endured to get here entirely worthwhile! As I rode up the Blue Ridge Parkway, it dawned on me that God has charted a unique path for each of us, guiding us toward a life filled with boundless joy and peace that surpasses all understanding.
You make known to me the path of life: you will fill me with joy in your
presence, with eternal pleasure at your right hand – PSALM 16:11 (NIV)
It reminds me that we must release our grip, concentrate on the journey, and seek out the joy. We should live for the things that bring us happiness and align with what pleases God. There’s no time to waste pondering whether we should or can… We must simply seize the moment and make it happen! As the song goes…
I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance, never settle for the path of least resistance Livin’ might mean takin’ chances, but they’re worth takin’, And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance, I hope you dance… Or better yet! I hope you RIDE! And Slay a few Dragons!
YES!!!! I Slade the Tail of The Dragon!!!
Let Us Pray,
Father God, guide me on a path filled with Your joy and everlasting peace this month. Let every mile I travel testify to Your boundless love and forgiving grace…. Amen!
“May the joy of the Lord instantly become your strength and encourage you to overcome any fears. Remember, when we dare to be brave and cast our cares in faith upon Him, peace, love, and joy are set loose, allowing us to rejoice in our triumphant victory in riding the good ride of faith.”
– LaShaun & Mrs. Cavatica
If this post ministered to you or encourage you in any way, please share with your fellow Wind Sistahs.
Every sunrise brings you a second chance at a new beginning. Photo Credit: D. A. Jackson
Who knew that this year, having our son and daughter, their spouses, and grandbabies together in Gulf Shores would be our Family’s “healing process?” I found it strange that in all the years we have been coming to the shore for Thanksgiving family vacation, this was the 1st time we had our son and daughter, their spouses, and grandbabies with us. No one could have orchestrated this, but God. Yet! We fought fevers between 105 and 102 flu-like symptoms the entire time we were there. It was as if the Spirit of God was keeping us united, contained, yet quarantined from any foreign object, not to mention the almost severed toe that kept the ones without fevers and flu-like symptoms from walking around on the beach (long story). But this is where this blog post is going, it is intended to bless and encourage those of us struggling with generational curses and toxic family behavior. My prayer is that this post will give you the courage to letting it be. Letting go of things, people, and places that threatened your families healing or maybe even blocked your family’s recovery.
Out of all the photos, we tried to get “Picture Perfect” unanimously; this photo was chosen as our Thanksgiving Family Photo to show THIS IS US! Battered, bruised, weary, weak, worn, and slightly overstimulated. But determined as a family to be THANKFUL, GRATEFUL, and BLESSED that God gave us this time together.
WARNING! Be careful when you pray. Asking God to show you areas of your life you need to let be—let go. Holding on to things, people, and places that keep you in a perpetual state of dysfunction. Giving time and attention to things that no longer serve you but hinders you from being the best authentic version of yourself, keeps you from working on yourself, protecting your inner peace, and fueling your faith in moving forward as a family unit.
When our children were little, it was easy to overlook why over 50 family members could gather in one place and not engage one another, or if they did, why someone was always taking offense to something said, not said, or being offended by something they overheard. Now that our children are adults with their families and life experiences, we are now grandparents, which comes with responsibilities and priorities. Sayin’ nothing about what wounds the soul and breaks the heart is no longer acceptable because you can only hide a sore under a band-aid for so long. As adults with children of their own now, they want to know why “Family doesn’t act like Family.”
We have made this place our “nuclear” Family’s Thanksgiving vacation spot for several years. It was easy to avoid the elephants in the condos or sidestep the massive pile of generational family issues, feuds, and drama that had been swept underneath the rug when there was a vast, beautiful beach to escape on. And if we saw each other on the beach, in the elevators, or spent a brief moment together, it was done with shallow pleasantries.
So, as an elder of our “nuclear family,” you try your best to explain the problematic toxicity in the family relationships that have been allowed to breed for years and why, as a family, we keep investing in being open and available to unfounded accusations, where the benefit of the doubt is no longer an option and the slightest mention of taking responsibility for toxic behavior is like making someone drink from the Jim Jones red solo cup. Then, why are we here??? they ask… If no one talks or gets along, if every interaction with a family member only ends up creating more drama, stress, unwanted anxiety, and pain…WHY ARE WE HERE?! Because it seems like no one wants to get a long…be healed.
As hard as this is to write about and choose my words as prayerfully as possible, I have to admit that no one in my extended Family, “kindred Family,” wants to be healed. My Family is one where you can’t throw a rock without hitting a Pastor, Minister, Bishop, Evangelist, Prophetess, or Christian Recording Artist… No one wants to be healed. Sadly, I have failed to acknowledge this and painfully admit these hard truths to my son and daughter, who are now adults with their own families. It was even more challenging to admit to my children’s spouses and myself that I had allowed the essence of our Nuclear Family.
The parent-child relationship, the sacredness of our family time being together, to be spent among kindred who don’t want to be Family, get along, make amends…, and be healed. Yes, we share the same blood running warm through our veins. We all traveled from near and far to be in this space and time, which makes everyone accessible to love one another, bond with one another, and share generational family stories, family history, and testimonies of how good God has been to all of us. But because there is no loyalty, love, or respect for one another, this makes some of us targets, sitting ducks and scapegoats, for those of us unwilling to see this time as an opportunity to be healed.
In sociology and anthropology, a “Nuclear Family” is a group of people united by ties of partnership and parenthood and consisting of a pair of adults (my husband and I) and their socially recognized children (our son and daughter) – Britannica.
For the very 1st time in my 56 years of life, I can admit that I don’t have healthy boundaries, which put those I love in harm’s way. I know this to be true because where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is Freedom – 2 Corinthians 3:17 and the proven fact that God is not the author of confusion. You see, what I now know to be true is that I was being loyal to an idea of a “family” that only existed in my beloved Hallmark Movies. But in God’s loving-kindness, the things I was willing to overlook, put up with, and make excuses for, by the GRACE of God, He allowed me to raise adults who will not
They know how to let go unapologetically; their boundaries are incredibly healthy, unlike mine… weak and bullied over the years and loyal to a fault. But this Thanksgiving Family Vacation gave me more than just a fever of 102, chills and body aches. It created a situation that asked me, “Do YOU want to be healed?” My “nuclear family” has been through a lot this year. We were looking forward to this time together being a source of peace and comfort from all the emotional battles most of us had been dealing with throughout the year… we wanted to rest, some of us coming out of recovery (metaphorically speaking), and just wanted to hold on to their healing. But I, in my need for people-pleasing, put them in an unsafe space that harmed that… Father God, please forgive me.
But thank God for Grace and for teaching me that there is freedom in letting go and accepting the elephants in the room. It’s perfectly okay to trip over or walk around that pile of generational family drama swept under the rug. Why? Because Healing is available to EVERYONE! They can hold onto what’s keeping them bitter, or they can let it go and choose to be better, be a family that’s healed.
So LET GO! LET. IT. BE! Especially if there is no change, loyalty, love, or respect for your “nuclear family” amongst its kindred. I say “Nuclear Family” because family members will read this and once again become offended at the beautiful realization that the Spirit of God revealed to me over my Thanksgiving family vacation to the shore.
But there is no healing for those who embrace excuses
LaShaun Jackson
I love the story in the Bible, in John 5, of the man who lay helplessly by the pool of Bethesda. This wasn’t just any pool. There was a rumor that angels periodically stirred the water, and whoever dove in first received miraculous Healing. People came from all over for a chance to participate in this event.
But, there was this one man, sick with the same disease he had for thirty-eight years, and he couldn’t ever make it to the pool fast enough. It was a hopeless situation for him. But Jesus came and, as always, did what only he could do and changed everything. “When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?”
If you skim this, it’s almost a “duh” moment. Like, “bruhhhhh, no disrespect, Jesus, but of course, he wants to be healed.” But does he tho?
Do You Want to Be Healed?
John 5
Jesus, in all His grace and mercy, gave the crippled man a double blessing. He healed his body, and He also awakened his heart. Gave this man back a sense of purpose and freed him from the bonds of self-pity, pride, ego, fear, discouragement, hopelessness, and resignation, all in one amazingly effective command. “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.”
This is why I love Jesus and this story in the Bible: Healing is available if We want it! But you have people who don’t; we have family members that don’t. They will even make you feel bad for trying to protect your healing.
But here’s what I love about this story even more. Jesus didn’t soothe this man. He didn’t pat him on the shoulder, saying, “Oh bless your heart,” and offer to piggyback him down into the pool. He didn’t give up on him, either, and said, “Well, better luck next time, bruh.” Nor did he bring down a host of angels from heaven in a grand pomp and circumstance performance. Nope! Jesus did something so much more powerful. He invited the man to participate in his own healing process.
Now that I am a grandmother, with fewer years in front of me than behind me. I’m willing to admit that this Thanksgiving family vacation to the shore, as beautiful as it was, my healing process. A process that tired me, and through the fever, chills and body ache made me realize that no matter how hard I try to create opportunities for family peace, love, unity, and reconciliation, there will always be, and I mean ALWAYS! Be someone who doesn’t want it – want to be healed. No longer am I interested in make unhappy people happy and making unacceptable behavior acceptable for the sake of “Family” at the cost of my own. I’m tired of running around on the playground of life, like a little kid with her new shine ball, hoping the bullies would for once want to play with us, and THIS TIME! Play fair. Or better yet, I’m “Kelly Price Tired.” Look that song up, it will bless your soul!
Nevertheless, I am tired, my arms are weak, and my hands hurt from pushing and pulling the weight of bitter family members’ drama. Like my grandmother would say, “It’s time for everyone to push and pull their own wagons.” I’m moving forward, letting go, and letting it be! Because I want my Healing, I want to protect the recovery and Healing of those I love. I have decided to “Get up, take up my bed, and let it be.” I have to for the sake of my personal well-being, my mental health, for the sake of my two grandbabies and for all my wind sisters who follow my journey and adventures of riding the Good Ride of Faith. They deserve a grandmother, who is healed, mentally healthy, and spiritually mature… Not perfect. But healed.
We haven’t been together like this since my Mother-in-law passed away in 2018. So, believe me when I tell you, GOD HAD MOVED MOUNTAINS! To get us all together this Thanksgiving. And I had to ask myself the tough questions that I’m sure everyone must struggle to ask this time of year: when it comes to family gatherings during the holidays.
Do I keep putting band-aids on family wounds that don’t want to heal? Do I keep putting myself and my Family’s Healing back on the operating table and have their hurts and wounds that God has recovered us from, violently ripped back open every time we gather with our kindred, our extended Family? After all, Family is who you make Family and who is willing to be Family in the true sense. In other words, “Don’t forsake those who want to be family for the sake of those that don’t act like family.”
And why do we give toxic family members a free pass anyway??? Why do we tolerate such hurtful behavior from them time and time again just because they are “Family”? Why are they embraced and given the benefit of the doubt, time and time again, and their victims become the family outcast.
For years, I have struggled with addressing the elephants in the room. Should I call people out on their bull-junk for once and just be done? Should I throw back the rug, kick the pile of family drama all over the room, and let the chips fall where they may, or do I just let go, let it be, and say yes to my Healing and protect the peace of my Family? Is the conversation even worth having, as time has revealed over the years that nothing has or will ever change? Do I need to speak my peace or just let it be? Then, I came across this quote by an unknown author.
It’s hard to admit that my Family, as churched as we are, Doesn’t LOVE like we should… BUT GOD! His love is unconditional, unfailing, and everlasting, and it WON’T change! He makes it easy to pray and ask for Healing, for the strength to remove the things and issues of life that keep us tied to the things that continually hurt us. But are we ready to let go of all the excuse? Do YOU want to be healed? And are we ready to let things be, let go of our security blanket… the things, people, and places that hinder our Healing, and give God access to move us beyond our wounded places? Because at the end of the day, nothing and no one is worth our Healing and our Recovery, and no one should keep you from being healed and staying healed.
Listen, I don’t know if my extended family will ever be healed from petty grudges, spiritual abuse, and years of generational drama. But I do know this… Every day, God’s mercies are new, and new mercy brings a choice to change and a chance to say YES! To Jesus’s question… “Do YOU want to be healed?”
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5
So, as we make our way toward 2024, let go! Let it be! Declare God’s protection for your family’s healing and mental health and let go of anything keeping you from being healed, staying recovered and riding the Good Ride of Faith in 2024
Let us Pray!
Father God, I come before You today tired and weary from holding on to things, people, and places that I should have released to You. My need to please, overlook, and remain silent to toxic, abusive family behavior has caused stress and anxiety in my life and the lives of those I love.
Father God, I acknowledge that I have been holding onto the expectation that time heals all wounds and that people change over time. But real change comes from loving you, knowing you, and surrendering my burden to you. Father God, grant me the strength to let go of grudges and walk in the freedom of forgiveness.
Father God, I know that Your love, mercy, and grace are more significant than any pain, disappointment, or unmet expectations I may carry, so I’m letting them go and letting them be. I know hurt people hurt people, so Father God, love the hurt away of those who are hurting and knowing and unknowingly hurt others.
Father God, release me; help me let go of the anger, fear, disappointment, bitterness, resentment, the need to please, and the expectation of wanting loyalty, love, and respect from family members unable and unwilling to give it. Father God, your love and grace are greater than any pain or disappointment I may carry. So, strengthen my resolve to let it be. From this day forward, I surrender all these emotional pains to You. In Jesus Names, I pray, Amen
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 – LaShaun & Mrs. Cavatica
If this post ministered to you or encourage you in any way, please share with your fellow Wind Sistahs.
Though to Ponder! What are some of the things you need to STOP!
Every New Year brings about an order of change or calls us to be more disciplined regarding how we invest our time. This year I’m being called into extreme focus and personal accountability. Which is why I heard the word STOP! During a recent chapter ride last weekend. Not a word you want to hear in your Spirit as you ride Texas’s backcountry curvy roads LOL
Lord, what are you saying??? Then it dawned on me I had been saying the word STOP! All week during conversations with family members. A long ride through the back country roads of Texas clarifies some of the calamities we find ourselves involved in. Then the Spirit of God explained the word STOP! for me, “STOP trying to make things happen. Just let them happen. Trust that I have the best intentions for you. on the bike and off the bike.”
How often have we tried to orchestrate or create a situation that we thought was a God move, which turned out to be the complete opposite? … ME! ME! And ME! I’m guilty of trying to take the wheel from God a time or two. Until I started realizing it brought me more headaches than peace. It pulled me away from my purpose and kept me spinning my wheels on a road going nowhere I wanted to be. Often it takes you right back to the place where God delivered you from.
This newfound passion for riding the open road on my Can-Am Spyderf3t Mrs. Cavatica has given me a new outlook on STOP! “Just let God be God in my life and my Rides. Let life and the things attached to it happen organically. And just as I am laser-focused on my bike regarding rider safety and protective gear when it comes to riding the open road, I need to apply that same level of attention, self-care, and detail to my life off the bike. So, here is a little reminder when you feel the need to try and make things happen vs. just letting them happen.
S – Stop! Trying to control everything and everyone around you. Focus on YOU and be what you want to see. Let God be God in your life and your ride. There is a difference between “Letting things be” and “Making things be,” When you let things be, you give the Spirit of God room to have Its way, which always works out two ways; 1 for your GOOD and 2. for GOD’S Glory… I call that a WIN-WIN!
T – Think before you act. And I mean THINK! Before you try to make a ride happen or event… anything that might cause stress or tension in your home. This was a powerful lesson for me as a new chapter member last year. I suggested a social event for our motorcycle chapter as a way for all parties to bond with the local community. I did not realize there needed to be more interest in getting volunteers and support from the sponsored dealership. I could have saved much time and energy if I had done more recon when it came to sponsorship support.
O – Observe your thoughts and feelings. Is what I’m trying to make happen going to fuel my faith and passion? Is this really what God wants me to spend time doing? Will this chapter vacation ride bring me peace or stress me out? Are there people and family members I’m investing my time in who don’t have the same level of commitment for me as I do them? This is a BIG! One for me. I don’t want to spend time with people who are not for me. And when I mean “Not for me,” I mean… I KNOW YOU DON’T LIKE ME… AT ALL… Period! There has to be a healthy, but equal balance when it comes to investing your time.
P – Pray! And then Pray about it some more. Remember, God is NOT the Author of confusion-1 Corinthians 14:33
Now, I don’t think the Spirit of God was telling me to STOP! Attempting things. It’s more of a “STOP! Forcing things. “Do the needed,” as my husband says, do your part but then let God be God. It has been my experience when trying to make things happen; like a bike ride that I didn’t feel like going on or something that didn’t feel right; It always yielded stress and frustration I didn’t need. And it did more harm than good to my confidence as a rider and someone who’s fighting the good fight of faith.
So, today as we go into this new year, let us STOP! And make sure we’re letting things happen (not making things happen) this riding season. Let’s make sure we’re letting God be God! In this riding season, in our homes, in our families, and in the things that bring us joy. Let God be the Road Captain, leading the way and ensuring we stay safe while riding, and getting through this thing called life. Let’s ensure we remain prayed up… in our homes and families, so we are guaranteed The Good Ride of Faith this Riding season.
Let’s Us Pray!
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your guidance. Forgive me for getting ahead of Your plans and help me know when to STOP! And listen for Your direction. Father God, your ways and thoughts are perfect for me. How foolish of me to think I know best and that my plans are better than yours. Father God, Thank You for offering me gentle grace when I did not ask what you wanted and didn’t wait patiently for your answer. Father God, I don’t want to do anything or go anywhere your Spirit will not guide and provide.
In Jesus’ Name, I Pray… Amen.
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.
I declare that August will be blessed for me and my household. Our going out shall be a blessing, and our coming back in shall be a blessing and my labor shall produce fruitful results in Jesus’s name. Amen!
Sometimes you have to hit a new month in the face with FAITH right out the gate. Tell yourself that no matter what it looks like, I will be blessed, and everything that concerns me will be blessed. Since June, I have been spending my time off my bike and in the house getting it in order, purging it, cleaning, and organizing it. I want to have everything under control when fall hits, so I can ride with a clear conscience when cooler temperatures prevail. I don’t know about you, but I can’t thoroughly enjoy riding my bike knowing I have a house full of chords waiting on me when I get back home.
So, I have broken my chores into daily weekday tasks that free up my weekends, and so far, it’s been working out great! It feels so good waking up in the morning and seeing everything in order, ready to greet a new day, and while I sip my coffee and have my prayer time, and even though I have missed a lot of ride time, looking around my home and see everything loved and cared for, I count it all Joy!
Weekly Chore List I Keep on the Fridge
I have taken Mrs. Cavatica out for a quick late evening spin around the neighborhood when the sun goes down, man! I Miss riding her. And it’s in that moment that I realize God has blessed me with options, Options that most people don’t have. I can sit in the coolness and comfort of my home or hop on my bike and sweat it out. I was blessed with the bike I prayed for and believed God for; and for that, I count it all Joy!
As a Baker and Pastry chef, I preserve my own line of Homemade Fig Jams. This time two years ago, my fig tree “Misty,” our Desert King Fig Tree, produced over 80 pounds of golf-ball-size figs. The harvest was so great that I had canned about 100 jars of fig jam, and most were sold before the Pop-Up Shop, turning it into a Pick-Up Spot.
Sweeter at Home “Turnt-Up” Fig Jam by Chef La
This year, not so much. Between Ice storm Uri of 2021 and the Heatwave this year, I could only harvest about 3 pounds of Figs and was only able to can about 13 jars of jam. A sad offering compared to the harvest of 2019. It broke my heart, and I was highly disappointed as I picked quarter-sized figs from her. Until I heard the Spirit of God say as I picked her fruit, reluctantly, “With this offering, count it all joy.” Tears filled my eyes because I realized I was not pleased and content with what Misty had produced. I was so use to my Fig tree giving me an abundance of golf-ball-size figs yearly. I didn’t consider the toll of the Ice storm Uri took on her in 2021 and the Heatwave we have been experiencing this year; no rain and being under a State Mandated watering reaction would hinder her production. And yet! she still gave what she could, despite the harsh weather conditions Texas has been having.
Misty Our Desert King Fig Tree
Every season has a lesson, and as I picked what little fruit Misty, our fig tree, offered this Fig season, I learned to “Count it All Joy.” No matter what. I love how James 1:2-8 states this.
Consider it pure Joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your Faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
As a woman of Faith, one of the hardest lessons I believe we must learn is how to be joyful amidst pain and suffering. What does it mean to “Count it all joy”? The concept here is the idea of reckoning of considering. We are to think of what we are going through as a matter of Joy, not because the thing itself is pleasurable, but because tribulation works patience within us. At least one good thing happens to us during pain and suffering.
So, I didn’t pick 80 pounds of Figs, allowing me to preserve over 100 jars of fresh homemade Fig Jam to sell at a pop-up store this year, but at least I have something…right?! And my clients who LOVE! My Homemade Fig Jam won’t be disappointed. And for that, I’m grateful. I made the best of what Misty gave me and saw my Father in heaven “still giving” me something good to preserve during a dry season. So, if you are in a dry season and it looks like all hope is lost. Look for the Joy in your situation or circumstance, whatever is trying your Faith. Trust God and give Him praise for whatever little fruit that is being produced in your Dry Season!
Declaration of Faith for Counting it all Joy!
I consider it pure Joy whenever I find myself facing trials and tribulations (to give up on my Faith) of every kind; for I know that the testing of my Faith produces in me enduring patience and once this patience becomes an unfailing part of my character (when I am mature and complete in it) I will lack no good thing in my life.
I fully understand that Jesus has become my wisdom. God does not keep it from me, saying that I can’t have it because I’ve done something wrong, but supplies it to me literally, holding nothing back. All of his wisdom is rightfully mine in His name.
When I ask for wisdom, or anything else, I must not reason against my receiving it. A person who reasons against the promises of God is like a wave on the sea driven and tossed about whatever direction the wind might blow (or whichever way the circumstances may lead). This type of person seldom receives anything from the Lord and cannot walk in his inheritance. They are double-minded and unstable in all of their ways.
I remain fixed and unwavering in my Faith regardless of what my eyes may see, what my ears may hear, or what my body may feel, for I know that God is faithful and will fulfill his promise to me.
Acts 5:4; Matthew 3:11, 15, 16; 5:10-12; 21:19-22; 2 Peter 1:6; Romans 5:3-5; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 2:6-16; Daniel 1:17, 20; 2:22,23; Mark 11:22-25; Hebrews 6:12; Psalm119:109-116; Jeremiah 29:11-13; James 4:8
Figs from our Desert King Fig Tree MistyMay 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.
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
Prayer….Never leave home without it.
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
Blessing Prayer
May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you. May the Lord keep His face turned towards you and always give you peace.
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
An attitude of gratitude brings joy! – Deborah Herbert
Meet fellow wind sister, Deborah Herbert from Myakka City, Florida
Deborah with her Can-Am Ryker “Hwin” or as she likes to call her…”Whinnie!”
Deborah posted a beautiful painting of a Ryker last week in the Women of On-Road Facebook Group. I was blown away by it and immediately intrigued at the fact that she was the Artist. As wind sisters, we are more then what we ride, we are Beautiful – Proverbs 31:25-26, Inspirational – Isaiah 40:28-31 and Grounded – Ephesian 3:16-19 and that should be acknowledge and celebrated. Today I would like to introduce you to Deborah, her Ryker, her Passion and her Faith.
Painting of Hwin, better known as Whinnie, Deborah’s Ryker 900
So Deborah, before we jump into specific questions about being an Artist, why don’t you give us some details about you and your Ryker. Does your bike have a name? How did your bike get its name?
First…Thanks for the sweet conversation opportunity! My Ryker does have a name! Based upon a character from one of my favorite Christian authors, it is named after the talking horse (mare) from the C.S. Lewis Narnia series….meet “Hwin” or as I call her…”Whinnie”!
She has been modified with the heavy duty sway bar, end links, full windshield, flashing brake lights, Shad bag, Knee pads, Nelson Riggs large Commuter bag, Maxmount Rack, Convex Mirrors, Tank Protector, Hand Guards and Wind Hand Guard Protectors, foam grips, wrist guard, full brake pedal, extended reverse bar, radiator protector plate and lots of white accent pieces. She also sports a winged horse on her white hood that I painted and had made into a large decal. I installed everything except the sway bar and links.
Meet “Hwin” or as Deborah likes to call her…”Whinnie”!
Tell us about yourself? How long have you been Riding? Do you have any previous experience with? Can-Am bike or motorcycles?
I was married right after I graduated from college at 20 many moons ago with my art and teaching degree, and my husband got me started right off with a Honda 200CL. I moved up quickly. to a 360, a 400, a 500 and had several 650’s and then a 900. I stopped riding 10 years ago, because so many riders were dying riding on our increasingly busy roads, with many more distracted drivers. But then, a year and a half ago my husband pulled in the driveway on a Ryker 900 he had just bought! (yes…there were still two other bikes of his in the garage, including a Ninja 1000!) I took one look and said…” Get OFF! I gotta ride this!” The very next day we were at the dealership and I purchased my own Ryker 900 from Ray the manager and a super great guy. Hubby and I both got excellent deals because both were “as new demo bikes”. Mine had less than 75 miles on it! My husband rode mine home through highly congested city traffic out to our home in the country…and I’ve ridden it ever since!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has riding been an easy path overall and if not, what were the Faith of fear challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Because I started riding at a young age and we even did some traveling together, solo and two up…riding never really caused me any real concerns. Even after sliding on a graveled curve, and almost going off a mountain on the Blue Ridge Highway, and driving three days in pouring rain on Interstates on my fully loaded bike! (Camping gear, the works…. geesh!) But…. after ten years off, and now being retired and wise, lol…I definitely have changed up some things! I started slow, around my neighborhood. Then through the state park a mile from our house, then short breakfast runs, then some solo breakfast runs to meet friends. At this point I’m ready for some full day rides in the fall…. but for now, the morning rides are best before the Florida afternoon rains and the heat index goes over 100! I also gear up completely! Boots, leather half chaps and gloves, Mesh Riding jacket and Air Hit Vest, Full Face Helmet.
Please tell us about your Artwork and Art Studio
Now that I’ve retired from being a public-school art teacher at a Visual and Performing Arts Middle School, I’m pursuing developing my art business full time instead of just over summer breaks! I have a dedicated website with a sales platform, I follow a marketing strategy and am slowly building a following and collectors. I specialize in Equine themes, also Western Art, Landscapes and Florals. I also create custom pet portraits and barn/home portraits…and lol, as you know…. I’ve painted my Ryker 900 Whinnie!!! The horses are very special and spiritual to me. I have a steady vision in my mind of Christ returning to earth on a white horse as written in the Book of Revelation. My own small herd of horses inspire me as well as the beautiful wild Mustangs of our Western states.
Deborah with her mare. Photographer Credit: Misty Images
What are the most significant memories of your childhood, and how did they shape you as a Women?
My childhood was rough. I had a roof over my head and clothes…but a mother who was emotional distant and verbally, psychologically and sometimes physically abusive. My siblings were loved and adored…I was ignored, made the scapegoat or marginalized. I was a great student. (Top 10%), extremely introverted and an artist at a young age. My dear father was also an artist. But never painted seriously until he retired and was inspired by my attendance in studio classes in college. I got my first job at age 15 as a waitress and hostess at a Holiday Inn near us so I could save money to get away to college (which I received a faculty scholarship for and skipped two years, this was totally the hand of God) …I’ve worked full time ever since. (With a short three year break at raising our wonderful daughter.) At age 18 I had basically decided to commit suicide…but I picked up a book called “From Prison to Praise”. It saved me, literally. I surrendered my life to Jesus right then and have been thankful for every moment that led me to him ever since. He has NEVER failed providing for and sustaining me, even in times of great fear and trials.
What has been the Best Ride you and your bike has shared to date?
I love hopping on my Ryker and riding the back country roads to meet friends for breakfast, or a quick riding date with my husband. Seeing several Ryker’s parked in front of a country restaurant always gets people interested!
Describe how you feel when riding your bike on the open road in 3 words?
Protected (by God), Peaceful (Quiet Time) Purposeful (No wasted moments, all Gifts).
If you could share a “Message of Faith” or “Pearls of Road Wisdom” with a new rider, what would. it be?
Preparation and Knowledge are your friends. A degree of safety only occurs with both! Get to know your bike intimately, take out the manual and read it, watch Ryker Rydes You Tube Videos, practice at slow speeds before faster speeds. GEAR UP! Ride for the slide…. just have a chat with someone who has been hit by a car. My husband was hit by a drunk driver when he was a teen, he still has the rod in his leg from the break in seven places. His helmet saved his life. I wear full gear including a High Viz Air Hit Vest for safety, and I just bought Kevlar pants for those longer cooler season rides. Then…pray before you ride, and don’t ride faster than your angels surrounding you! (In other words, don’t ever be pressured into taking unnecessary risks) and thank the Lord for a safe arrival back home! An attitude of gratitude brings joy!
Adventures of Fearless Faith 