Tag: #windsister

Surrender

On By lashaunjacksonIn Thoughts To PonderLeave a comment

“Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth” Psalm 46:8 says, (NASB).

September is here, marking the transition from summer to fall and ushering in an energy that makes us want to savor every moment. Living in Texas, we are counting down to cooler weather, crisp mornings, and cozy evenings! Some of our best riding is just around the corner.

If you’ve been following my Spyder Riding Adventures on my YouTube Channel, “Adventures of Fearless Faith,” you know that I just finished posting the videos of my 10-Day Chapter Vacation Ride to The Carolinas and Myrtle Beach. Coming off of such an Epic adventure, I started reflecting on my time spent Ryding on the open road.

When we left Texas, I was determined to become the best rider. I was striving for perfection and trying to control everything. When we face challenges in life, it’s tempting to rely on our own understanding.

As a Christ follower, one of the hardest lessons I have had to learn on this 10-day vacation ride (and still am learning) is the difference between STRIVING and SURRENDER. Striving can lead to a constant battle to control everything, which can lead to stress and burnout. Many of us can relate to this struggle, especially when we’re on the open road.

When you surrender, you stop fighting, hiding, and resisting the need to control everything in your life. You let go and focus on accepting what God has chosen to do through you. This acceptance brings a relief that transcends all understanding. You ride surrendered, in a state of calm and trust.

I’ve come to understand the contrast between striving and surrendering. I’ve realized that when we allow ourselves, our bodies, emotions, thoughts, and sensations to settle into the experience, we become surrendered, and that’s where we grow as riders and in our faith. The Spirit of God doesn’t want a striving rider on the open road; He wants us to be surrendered, riding the open road.

“And there’s the blesson from this adventure. What is a blesson, you ask? A blesson occurs when you view painful experiences as blessings. It’s what happens when you stop striving and surrender to the blessing in the lesson that your challenges have taught you. In other words, a blesson occurs when you perceive painful lessons as blessings. It’s what happens when you stop striving and surrender to the blessing in the lesson that your challenges have taught you.”

What does surrender look like for you? What is God calling you to release or surrender to Him right now? So, you can Ride the Good Ryde of Faith. Start by expressing your desire to surrender through prayer. Speaking to God from your heart, sharing your fears, heart desires and willingness to trust in God’s plan for your life and your ride on the open road.

“May the joy of the Lord instantly become your strength, encouraging you to overcome any fears. Remember that 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 as we ride 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.

A New Beginning

On By lashaunjacksonIn Prayers of Faith, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Forget the former things do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up. Do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland – Isaiah 43:18-19

For as long as I can remember, I have been fascinated with the meaning behind numbers and colors. There’s a reason why my Can-Am Spyder, a vehicle that has become a significant part of my spiritual journey, had to be black and white. Not to mention the fact that it has three wheels that represent the Holy Trinity. This month finds us in the 8th month. August, to be exact. August is the 8th month of the year. It is the Month of New Beginnings. In the Bible, the number 8 signifies a new birth or new beginnings.

Biblically, the number 8 is associated with regeneration, resurrection, and the beginning of a new era or order. As a Can-Am Spyder, I find this exciting and somewhat reassuring. Why? Because only some things have gone as planned so far this year. Yes! I’m coming back off the heels of having road my very 1st 10-day Vacation Chapter Ride with our Chapter and my Husband out of the State of Texas, and it was more than I could have ever hoped for. But I couldn’t go on the 15-Day Vacation Chapter Ride to Sturgis to see that part of the Country… with my Husband. And I’m not gonna lie. It’s been painful living that experience through his photos and nightly conversations… when and if we can talk due to the different time zones.

This whole experience of riding on the open road is new, especially cross-country. I’m learning what my limits are, and I’m learning to be ok with the fact that there are just some rides that “I Can’t Go” on. And most of all, I’m learning to be a big girl in Christ and not a baby who cries and pouts when she doesn’t get her way, or dare I say when she can’t go on a ride that physically and spiritually, she’s not ready for. This journey has taught me the importance of patience, acceptance, and trust in God’s timing.

During a conversation with my Husband after their ride up Pikes Peak, he expressed, “I know you wished you could have been here, but after enduring the miles and heat, we still have 8 more days. I need your heart and Spirit to enjoy this, even if it means us driving back up here. My deepest desire is for you to witness what I saw firsthand.” This anticipation for the future adventure is a source of hope and encouragement and one that I will look forward to… Look at God?! I genuinely believe he used my Husband to speak hope into me.

Listen, beloved, I don’t know where you are in your riding season but be encouraged this eighth month of a new beginning. God has not forgotten about you and the many rides your heart may or may not experience this year so far. But just keep riding and building your skills. Hold on to your faith and trust that when the season is right, when God lines up everything in your favor, you will see every beautiful monument in God’s perfect timing, from seas to shining seas.
Riding the open road cross-country has levels, and I believe God wants us to do it successfully and achieve His glory through the ride. He is not just saying things will be new; He encourages you to write them down so that you can run with them!

Faith Step

Write down what you no longer want in your life, the old things that have frustrated and limited you as a rider on the open road, and the things you want to experience on the new horizon that will help you in riding the God Ride of Faith.

Let Us Pray!

Heavenly Father, I come before You with a heart full of hope in this eighth month of new beginnings. Guide me to embrace the changes in my life with grace and courage and help me to see the beauty in transformation and the opportunities that arise from new challenges as a rider on the open road.

Father God, guide my ride and light my path and help me to release past burdens that kept me from riding the good ride of faith and embrace the opportunities before me.

Father God, grant me the wisdom to learn from my past rides and experiences and give me strength to grow from them. Father God, move me forward with an open heart and a fearless spirit, trusting in Your divine plan for my life – 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.

Prayer for May

On By lashaunjacksonIn Prayers of Faith, UncategorizedLeave a comment

The new month, a time of restoration and new riding season, holds the promise of a fresh start. 

The enemy may try to steal our joy, peace, health, and love for God (John 10:10), but Jesus Christ comes to offer us abundant life. In this month of May, let’s fervently ask the Lord to restore us, so we can once again revel in a close relationship with Him and continue to Ride the Good Ride of Faith.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing Spirit to sustain me Psalms 51:12 NIV

Let’s Us Pray!

Father God, the source of restoration, I humbly approach Your throne of grace to worship and honor You. This month of May, I earnestly seek restoration. I pray that the cleansing power of the blood of Jesus will wash away all my sins, granting me a fresh start to a wonderful and safe riding season filled with joy, peace, love, and healing. I trust in Your promise that all things are made new in Christ, and I eagerly anticipate another chance to begin anew in Your presence and power

In Jesus’ name, 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.

2024: TRUST!

On By lashaunjacksonIn Declare The WordLeave a comment

We made it! Maybe a little weary and worn from all the tough battles fought in 2023, But GOD said NO! And 2023 had to release its grip around our Hearts, Souls, and Minds. Today reminds me of Moses’s words in Exodus 14:13 over the Children of Israel. Looking behind them, they saw the Egyptians coming after them after being delivered by the mighty hand of GOD. Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm, and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. You see, the children of Israel were delivered by the mighty hand of God, yet when they looked behind them, they saw the Egyptians coming after them.

You see, Pharaoh’s Army intended to bring the children of Israel back under bondage. Don’t you dare let the battles of 2023 keep you from the blessings of 2024! Don’t look back at 2023 as a “What if,” “I Should Have,” or “May if I.” That season and chapter is OVER! Today is a NEW SEASON, and YOU can begin again with a clean slate. A blank canvas, a freshly shaped sword of faith to fight off whatever skims and plans the devil may bring this year. Remember, he has a job as well, one that steals, kills, and destroys.

2023 was a year of LETTING GO! I had to let go of relationships that no longer fueled my faith and let go of unfulfilled desires, such as canceled vacation motorcycle chapter rides and one that was too hot for me to make the trip. But that’s over; that time and opportunity have passed. And yes! I have looked back with fear of going forward and regret living in the past. Like the children of Israel who became afraid after leaving Egypt, cried out to Moses, and complained that he had brought them here to die. They said it would have been better if they had stayed where they were, under bondage. Sadly, there is a bit of comfort in staying in bondage, in the mud pits, making bricks without straw, while having all hope beaten out of you by the enemy’s whip.

Moving on in 2024 without a clear path forward can be scary. Especially if you are fresh out of the pit, still muddy and bloody from 2023. But I love what Moses says to the Children of Israel…

don’t be afraid, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord today.’ I know we all know this story, but there is one nugget that I want you to take advantage of going into 2024. Moses said, ‘For this enemy that you see today, you shall see no more forever.’

Do not be afraid. Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace. Exodus 14:13-14

Moses told them that if they stood firm and stood still, they would do two things: see God’s salvation that day and never see that same enemy again. Now! That will Preach! If you can stand firm this year when you look ahead, and should you see no way out and look behind, and the enemy is on your tail, if you can stand firm in 2024, you are promised to see the battles of 2023, and it’s enemies no more. You might have new ones, but with all the wisdom you gained in 2023, your faith, hope, and strength will help you face this year with GRACE! I always start the New year out with one word that will keep me focused as the weeks and months roll by. This year my word of focus is TRUST! Trust God on everything and for everything. Trust in His plan for my life.

What’s a Word that will keep your heart and mind focued for the 2024?

May you Ride & See God’s salvation this year and May you never see the enemy of 2023 again!

Let’s Declare Jeremiah 29:11 over our lives this year!

All of God’s thoughts for me are for good and never evil. His plans are to make me prosperous, give me hope, and provide me with a glorious future. He has handpicked everything that is best for me in life and presents it to me with great joy. His desire for me is to live in his abundance. My call brings a smile to my father’s face, and he listens to me with great concern. When I seek him with all of my heart, he sees to it that I find him. He has rescued me from the powers of darkness and is now enjoying my continual companionship.

Deuteronomy 4:29, Colossians 1:13, 2:15; Romans 8:32, Psalms 50:15, 1 John 1:3

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.

Live Boldly!

On By lashaunjacksonIn Thoughts To Ponder, Wind Sister Warrior, Work Your FaithLeave a comment

Before you freakout about this photo… I was slowing down and coming to a complete stop to turn. This was my 1-sec. of Crazy FAITH! Don’t try this without it!

Now, about September…

If not, riding my Spyder since May 28th in Texas heat has taught me anything; these last months of 100-degree temperatures, it has encouraged me to live boldly. I love the line from the poem “Meant to Shine” by Marianne Williams that says, “Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.” Yes! The smoldering temperatures kept me side-lined longer than I wanted to be, but it also gave me time to consider how I Live within the blessing of God. On September 2nd, My husband and I celebrated our 34th wedding anniversary. We could take a trip to Cali for an extended playdate with the 2nd grandbaby, and the temperature finally broke where I could test out my new cooling vest and get in a long overdue ride on my Spyder Mrs. Cavatica.

And even though this ridiculous mixed-up world would have you believe there is no God and all that you know to be right is now wrong, it’s always proven to be, without a doubt, one big lie from the pit of hell. It only takes one long ride down a curvy country road on a Can-Am Spyer to see that God still blesses His people and leans in our direction. That’s the beauty of riding a Can-Am Spyder on the open road as a woman of Faith. It helps me see that God is still on the throne and in the business of blessing His people, which comforts me—knowing that we can live boldly and unapologetically in the blessing and favor God has bestowed upon us. Don’t interpret Live Boldly as meaning “spend big,” “live large,” or be braggadocious. But Living Boldly is about your life’s size, not your wallet’s. Living boldly, means walking in your Truth or Ryding in the Truth of who you are—acting with intention. Believing you can do what you set your mind to. It means taking chances, putting yourself out there, and knowing you deserve a life you love and authentically yours. Declaring that if it were not or had not been for God being on our side… we would all be a HOT-ER MESS!

Everything is possible for one who believes

Mark 9:23

Here’s the bless lesson as we wind down these last few weeks of September. Live Boldly! Be intentional (be where you want to be) and declare who got you there! and guard your peace. Riding the open road on my Spyder helps me Live Boldly because I can see that despite what the world would have me believe and feel, The Spirit of God shows me time and time again that “Everything is possible for one who believes.” – MARK 9:23.

So, wind sistah’s and brotha’s Live Boldly! Don’t be anxious about anything. Live like you are the child of the Most High king. Live as though your Father owns cattle on a thousand hills and Ryde the open road as though you are the apple of your Father in heaven’s eye. Trust in His care and concern for you. And don’t forget to love big while you are at it, because we serve a BIG GOD!

With that being said, I love the following line in Marianna Williams’s poem “Meant to Shine” and Why We Should Live Boldly because “There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to manifest the glory of God within us.”

Live Boldly, Ryde Bravely, and may your light permit others to do the same!

Ride Safe, Stay in Faith,

La & Mrs. Cavatica

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 Sistahs.

See the Good

On By lashaunjacksonIn Thoughts To Ponder, Work Your Faith1 Comment

And just like that! June has moved on, and July has taken its place. We’re waking up to a restless Wednesday morning. Our neighbor next door decided to reenact bombs over Baghdad up til 2 am. They had no chill or concern for those who wanted to wind down the nation’s birthday with peace, quietness, and a good night’s sleep.

Our family celebrated Saturday because everyone wanted to relax and chill out for the 4th. Plus, Texas is still giving us a lil taste of what pre-heating in hell feels like, so there’s that! The pool felt like a lukewarm bath, but at least it was wet and gave us a lil relief when sitting poolside, giving our skin a break from looking waterlogged.

As I took a break from the water, watching the family enjoy themselves in the pool, I had to remind myself what the 4th of July was all about—celebrating our nation’s Independence, the celebration of our Freedom. I had to reflect on the many blessings God has bestowed upon us and my country tis of thee…sweet land of liberty, as confused, sinful, and racially divided as she is. God still blesses her with his Grace, Goodness, and Mercy.

Lord, make us worthy of Your gift of Freedom – LaShaun Jackson

How do you stay focused on the good on and off the Bike?

This is why I love riding my Spyder Mrs. Cavatica on the open road so much. It allows me to see the beauty of God’s hand upon our country. It allows me to see beyond our country’s imperfections and shortcomings and see America’s hope and potential. That there is a God that sits high and looks low and will find you and me no matter where the road takes us, no matter the problem, situation, or circumstance.

I heard it said, “If you look for the bad, you will surely find it,” but you can’t have one without the other, so if you look for the Good, I’m guessing you will find it. You can’t have Bad without Good. So, as you ride this month of July, look for the Good and thank God that you can do so in one of the most significant countries on this side of heaven. Yes! She has her issues but only because of human sinfulness. This is why I love what is declared in 2 Chronicles 7:14 that if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.

Sure! It was a conversation the Lord had with Solomon regarding the building of the temple. Still, we can learn a lot from this scripture by walking it out, or in our case, Ryde it out by cultivating humility with everyone we meet and in our relationship with God. Enjoying our Freedom as we Ryde the Good Ride of Faith but recognizing our limitations, embracing our dependence on God, making prayer a priority in our daily life, seeking God’s presence and guidance on and off the bike in every situation, and committing to ongoing self-examination and repentance, turning away from sinful behavior, and aligning our life and Ryde on the open road with God’s will.

So, as you take on July, may your Faith increase as you Ryde the open road enjoying the Freedoms of a beautiful country that, despite everything that was once right, is now wrong, and everything that was once wrong is now right, God still loves her and because of that love, we can try and see the Good when we take to the open road as we Riding the Good Ride of Faith.

HOW DO YOU STAY FOCUSED ON THE GOOD ON AND OFF THE BIKE?

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.

Ride Safe, Stay in Faith! – LA & Mrs. Cavatica

And just like that… June is here!

On By lashaunjacksonIn Prayers of FaithLeave a comment

Let us Pray!

Father God, with every mile I ride this month, guide me in every problem and decision I make. Father, give me the grace and compassion to treat everyone I meet along the way kindly, fairly, and thoughtfully. Please help me to be present with every soul I meet because it is an opportunity for them to meet you through me. 

Father, with every ride I take this month of June, refresh my Spirit and change my thoughts to be in rhythm with your heavenly power.

In the Might name of your Son, Jesus I pray… Amen.

Ride Safe, Stay in Faith!

Love,

LaShaun and Mrs. Cavatica 

Trust the Plan

On By lashaunjacksonIn Declare The WordLeave a comment

Talimena National Scenic Byway, Mena, Arkansas

The more I spend time riding the open road, the more I see the sovereignty of God’s hand in each Ride. He is the God of all creation and the universe, and HE has the final say over all seen, and unseen. So, when you Believe in him, give your life over to him, and put your Hope, Faith, and Trust in Him. You are literally saying LORD HAVE THY WAY! From a Chapter Group Ride perspective, you essentially allow God to be the Road Captain of your life when riding the open road. As it pertains to Chapter Rides, a Road Captain is the name for the rider who coordinates a multiple-bike ride.

“SPIKE”, Road Captain

Road captains can refer to both the leader and the sweepers who, among their other duties, check that other riders are safe. Working as part of a team, the road captain is responsible for the riders’ safety and the Ride’s smooth running. Duties include planning, thinking ahead, communication, and rider education. The road captain may even act as a tour guide. Now, what are the odds of a Road Captain’s duties sounding like a few of the Hopes and Promises found in Jeremiah 29:11, which reads…

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.

Our Spring Vacation Chapter Ride to the Ozarks was canceled due to bad weather in the area. It was a hard pill to swallow seeing all the Facebook posts of fellow riders who took their lemons and made lemonade. As I unpacked my bags, my eyes teared up a bit because in my mind’s eye and especially after the hill country vacation ride last year… we were ready. We had been waiting and hoped to go on this Ride for a year.

When you have been hoping for something for so long, you don’t want to put it off…because Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life – Proverbs 13-12. But it’s that word “longing” that’s the kicker. Because when you have been longing for something, the expectations of receiving what you have been longing for grow as well. We all knew in our hearts that canceling the ride was the right call, and to the veteran’ riders in the chapter with hundreds, if not thousands of vacation rides under their belts, it was a shrug of the shoulders. You could tell by their Facebook post they had experienced this kind of disappoint many times, as veteran riders of the open road.

For someone new longing for the experience of a vacation motorcycle chapter ride … watching fellow riders’ Facebook post quickly shifting gears, into taking advantage of the time requested off, finding other little vacation spots to visit that weren’t impeded by the rain, felt like a bully knocking my 3 scoops ice cream cone out of my hand to the ground. But sticking to our “Couples Who Ride Together, Survive Together” golden rule.”

If a ride is canceled at the last minute, that is your queue to stay put. Refrain from replacing a ride with one that was canceled last minute. 

LaShaun Jackson: Couples who Ride together, Survive together Golden Ride Rules

That’s when I realized that placing Hope in any situation – no matter how good or long you have waited – will fail…dare I say get rained out. But keeping your Hope in the GOD of HOPE will never disappoint you. I believe God will give us another opportunity to ride the Ozarks one day and His timing will be perfect, just like it was in the Hill Country of Texas last year.

La & Mrs. Cavatica my Can-Am Spyder f3t Riding Twisted Sister Ranch Road 335

We can feel hopeful about all sorts of circumstances – like lousy weather canceling a long-awaited motorcycle vacation ride. But there is HOPE inside of every circumstance. So, as you gear up, mount up and take to the open road this riding season, May the GOD of Hope fill you with all the joy and peace as you trust the plan, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. And remember when plans are canceled, our lives are not so much about what happens to us or what God does or doesn’t do for us, but that we have Hope in Him, in His promises, and in every circumstance.

Dear wind Sistah, don’t you dare lose Hope when plans change. Because we can’t have FAITH without Hope, and we can’t ride “The Good Ride of Faith” without it. Hope will and can activate your FAITH: “Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see” (Hebrews 1:11).

Thought To Ponder

What does it mean to trust God? Can you give some examples of when you have trusted God in your Ride, and how you made the decision to trust him rather than lean on your own understanding and strength?

Declaration of Faith!

I give my whole heart to trust in you, Lord. I will not be a fool who balances my life on the brace of human understanding. I am always God-inside-minded and never cease to acknowledge HIS presence to guide me in everything I do. He sees what I cannot see and knows what I do not know. With Him as my road captain, all my paths are made straight. Therefore, I will never put my own wisdom before the Lord’s.

Proverbs 3:5-6

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 Sistahs.

Ride Safe, Stay in Faith!

Love,

LA & Mrs. Cavatica

Show Me Your Glory

On By lashaunjacksonIn Thoughts To Ponder, Work Your FaithLeave a comment

I hope march is being kind and finding you blessed. It’s been a while since my last post. I intended to write an entry for February, but God had other plans. How does needing greenery for your granddaughter’s 1st birthday cake turn into 15 days of working in a flower shop during Valentine’s Day season? I’m still determining. All I can say is, “be open to what the Spirit of God wants to do in your life.” We are all fertile soil with seeds of greatness planted within us. So be open to the water givers, the people that God places in your path, watering those seeds planted within you, allowing you to bloom. Presently, I’m still seasonal help “on-call,” LOL

So here we are in March, and typical Texas style, our weather has been all over the map! One day we are sunny and cold; the next, we are warm and wet. But as a Texas transplant…I’ll take it because at least we get a ride in while mother nature is taking a nap.

A recent adventure took me out on a Chapter Ride to Lake Livington in East Texas Piney Woods. On that ride, the Spirit of God blessed me with a word of encouragement when navigating the open road when the weather looked less than perfect.

It’s hard to see the beauty in your ride when the day looks like this. When the sky is cloudy and gray, you feel like the world’s weight rests on your shoulders. Like mama said, “although it’s cloudy, the sun is still shining. And it’s been weeks since Texas has seen sunshine. But the saving grace of a day like today is that it gives us a break from the heat and humidity.

Like mama said, “although it’s cloudy, the sun is still shining. And it’s been weeks since Texas has seen sunshine. But the saving grace of a day like today is that it gives us a break from the heat and humidity. It’s a trade-off; as I said, every ride won’t provide you with sunshine and blue skies. But it does give you and me a choice: seeing the beauty and the provision provided to you and me on a cloudy day.

When we speak of the beauty of any given day, it’s always about how much sunshine and blue sky we can see and how glorious it makes the ride… but not today. As we made our way towards Lake Livingston, without sun or blue sky, it reminded me of the movie The Ten Commandments and how clouds played an essential part in the Israelite’s leaving Egypt.

You see, in the Book of Exodus 13:21, You hear how, when the Israelites walked out of Egypt, ‘The Lord went in front of them in a pillar of cloud by day.’ The cloud was a sign that God was in their midst.

In that cloud, Moses received, among many other instructions, commands on how to build the tabernacle. And how the same cloud filled the temple where the priest was ministering… the power within the cloud was so overwhelming that the priest could not stand in it. The cloud had become an established symbol of God’s nearness…Wow! And there it is… the message and encouragement from this adventure. 

View a cloudy, gloomy, misty day as the Glory and presence of God leading, guiding, covering, protecting, and providing for you. View the clouds as God’s abiding presence during your ride – LaShaun

Moses ascends Sinai Digital Art by Matt Ebisch

I don’t know about you, but I won’t look at another cloudy, gloomy, misty ride ever the same. Instead, I will welcome it, rejoice in it, and declare the blessing of Psalm 118:24 that “This is the day the Lord has made, and we will rejoice and be glad in it.”…. better yet! I’m going to make it personal…

This is a Ride that the Lord has made, and I will rejoice, be glad, and ride in it! – LaShaun

Let us Pray!

Let us Pray!
Heavenly Father! I know you are here on this ride with me. Please show me your Glory and let me gaze upon the splendor of Your holiness. Father God, open my eyes so that my heart might see your greatness and faithfulness on this cloudy, gloomy, misty day, and give me a vision of who You are in all Your splendor and majesty. Father God, I want to worship you in my ride and see You in a greater way. So, lead me, guide me, hide me and show me your Glory.
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.

Ride Safe, Stay in Faith! – LA & Mrs. Cavatica

STOP!

On By lashaunjacksonIn Prayers of Faith, Thoughts To Ponder, UncategorizedLeave a comment

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.

Ride Safe, Stay in Faith! – LA & Mrs. Cavatica