It only took a few rides with my Husband to conclude I don’t ride like a Man. It’s been a year since my Husband, and I have been riding together, and I have noticed that when a man gets on his bike, he gets on, leaving everything that could mentally weigh him down behind. Like a kid going to see Santa, nothing stops him, holds him up, or gets in his way. It only takes my Husband a few minutes to get ready for any ride were going on.

On the other hand, I have to get ready the night before, get up at least two hours before he does, and still, he’s waiting on me. That’s when it hit me; “We ride differently.” Men and Women approach the ride differently. You see, when I ride, I ride with a Mother’s heart of two married adult children who now need me as their counselor and prayer warrior. Their concerns and worries are never far from my heart and mind, especially in this season of evil vs. good.

I ride with a Grandmother’s heart, concerned about my two grandbabies having to grow up in this crazy mixed-up, backward world that tells them who they were born to be vs. who GOD created them to be.

I ride with the heart of a wife married for 32 years that has faithfully honored my wedding vows, supported everyone’s dream and career choices. I ride as a woman with a passion and desire to one day see this world be a better place, but the longer I live, the more that hope and desire slowly fade out of view and into “maybe I’ll see it next lifetime.”

Now, I’m sure Men have things they might worry about when they gear up, mount up, and take to the open road to ride. But I can almost bet you it is not the same for them as it is for us. We ride different. Even our style of bike is different. My Husband LOVES! His Harley Road King Classic, and I LOVE my Can-Am Spyder F3T. He approaches the ride on two wheels, and I come on three wheels. He leaves his worries and concerns behind, and I tend to bring mine along for the ride.

But what’s interesting is that we both return home having met a God who seems to know all about our differences, our needs, worries, concerns, and fears. Recapping our ride once home, I discover, problems my Husband left at home are somehow figured out, and the worries and concerns I brought along with me for the ride have all lost their sting.

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light – Matthew 11:30

In my opinion, our weekend rides are “Rest for the Weary.” When I ride, I will be the first to admit that I often ride weary, weighed down with the world on my shoulders because I ride with the concerns of a Mother’s heart, a bottomless pit of unconditional love, yet used and bruised, like a punching bag. But my heavenly Father knows this, so He lets me pack my worries, concerns, and fears along for the ride. And somewhere along the ride, he loves them all away.

It’s amazing what two or three wheels can do for the heart, mind, and soul once it gears up, mount up, and take to the open road… It tears my eyes when I think back to the woman I used to be and the woman I am now in my walk of faith over fear. I woke up this morning with the song “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus, singing these verses in my heart…

“There’s always gonna be another mountain. I’m always gonna wanna make it move, Always gonna be an uphill battle, Sometimes I’m gonna have to lose, Ain’t about how fast I get there, Ain’t about what’s waiting on the other side, It’s the climb.

As women, wearing many hats, there will always be a situation or circumstance in our hearts and on our shoulders riding along with us, and as soon as we get one problem solved another one will soon take it’s place. But as long as we have our FAITH and the RIDE, burdens seem light, and worries become few.

So I’m ok with the fact that it takes me a little longer to make ready for a ride. I’m ok with all the extra baggage I bring with me when I ride the open road because I know God will meet me there, every straight away, through every twist and turn of a beautiful country back road.

Riding the open road has taught me the biblical perspectives that life was meant to be a blessing, not a burden, and should my burdens get the best of me, take them to God in prayer on the road and leave them there because as a woman, wife, mother, and grandmother, trying to ride the good ride of faith… I Ride Different.

Do you Ride Different?

What burdens, worries, fears or concerns do you take on the road with you when you ride? Has the Spirit of God shown Himself to you on your rides? And if so, how? What have you left on the road in Gods hands and in His care?

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

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

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