The Bike Ride!
This week my dad surprised Ellie with her first bike. She was so excited and after first sitting on it she announced that she needs to gain a pound to be big enough to ride it. The next day Pop Pop helped her learn to ride it. He stayed near her the entire time saying “good job” and reassuring her as she was scared to fall off.
Recently, he was very encouraging to me as well. It was almost as if I was on a bike and he was encouraging me as I rode through life scared and unsure. As I was texting him some concerns he responded “you just keep praying and let God be in control of everything!” Growing up you could have never convinced me that there would be a day when I could have God conversations with my dad. I prayed hard for his spiritual healing and many times my prayers felt empty and unheard. That is until 4 years ago when sweet Ellie swooped in and gave him the desire to trust God again.
It was really nice to see him today in Pop Pop action. He was telling Ellie all the bike rules; look both ways, wear your helmet and don’t talk to strangers. 😂😂😂 He literally thought of everything right down to the knee pads and elbow pads.
Watching them together reminds me of that 8th grade year in junior high when I was estactic to have a bike to ride to school. My dad gave me the bike and I loved it for an entire 1 days trip to school and then it was stolen from the school property. However, I will never forget that bike or more importantly my dad giving me the bike riders 101 lecture. The biggest rule was and has always been “ride past all the strangers!” 😂😂😂
I cherish moments like watching my dad help Ellie ride her first bike. I know Ellie will never forget today and neither will I. I can’t deny the tough seasons in life but I strive to never forget or ignore the good seasons. Today was one of those good season moments. The kind that remind me that God never fails to restore what was once broken. Happy Father’s Day to my dad who chose to get back on the bike proving to the world that there is no such thing as too broken.
Shine4Him 