Countdown to Triathlon – 181 Days, 25.85 weeks to Race Day (See Installment 63 of "The Journey", 220 mile bike ride, below)

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY -

NO WHINING!

The Journey - Installment Sixty-Three

MORE ENCOURAGEMENT FROM OTHERS
 

        I was still involved with my drapery business when I wasn’t riding the bicycle.  One of my customers at that time was a Jewish doctor and his wife.  I had been telling her about the ride and my experiences and I commented one day that I was just like the children of Israel, grumbling and complaining and whining.  She was amazed at the story and I told her everything that the Lord had been doing.  A week or so later, Bob went to install blinds in her home.  When he returned that evening, he had two buttons that she had given to me, one with a magnet on the back and one with a pin to wear when I ride my bike.  The buttons read: “Whining” with a line through the word.   In other words, “NO WHINING”.  I wore that button every day after that and on the actual three-day bike ride.  The really great thing about this incident was that I was able to share very openly with this Jewish woman about what Jesus was doing for me.  I didn’t hold back anything and she listen politely and with amazement.

          

     Another couple who were customers of my drapery business lived in Modesto and were really interested in hearing about the story.  While Bob installed their draperies, I told them all about the bike ride, from the beginning up to that day.  They were both Christians and tried to encourage me.  They also sent a donation to Focus on the Family in my name.  I expressed my concern about not being able to finish the ride.  The bike ride was at this point only about five and a half weeks away.  I told them that even after all God had done for me, I still was concerned that I would let Him down along with everyone else who was counting on my finishing the ride.  The next day, the husband called me and told me to read Proverbs 3:5:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart

    And lean not on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him

And He will make your paths straight.”

Another translation of this says, “He will direct your paths.”  I really needed to hear this at this particular time and be reminded of the fact that God was the author of this ride and that it was He who would direct me if I trusted Him with all my heart and would quit looking to myself for understanding.  I read that Scripture over and over again in the ensuing weeks.