Return to the M.B. Herald Vol. 35, No. 14
Home Page
As the weekend drew closer, I wondered if I'd have the energy. Life had been so busy. Other commitments were coming up. Nevertheless, on Friday afternoon, the three of us got the bikes ready and left Hepburn, Sask. heading for Saskatoon, 45 km away. It was a beautiful afternoon for cycling. That evening, we celebrated the end of school together with my parents and my brother's family in Saskatoon.
Around eight the next morning, we were off, cycling down Highway 11 leading to Regina. It was a hot day. The hill at Blackstrap was tiring, but we made it. David had a digital odometer/speedometer mounted on his bike, so we always knew how fast we were going and when we could take breaks. We liked to average 10 miles an hour including breaks. The heat had taken its toll, and by the time we reached our destination of Davidson for the day, we were ready for a break.
The next morning, we were up and on the highway by 7:00 a.m. Biking was more difficult with a head wind. The wind got stronger and downright discouraging. At times, I thought we should turn around and start heading back to Saskatoon. I asked David, "How important is it that we reach Regina?" Answer: "Very." I shut up and kept on biking. It was amazing how, after I had accepted the wind, it was easier to cope and to persevere. We slip stressed for each other as we kept on going at a slower pace.
Near Lumsden, it started to sprinkle but not enough to worry us. We zipped down to the valley and then I laboured to crawl out. My legs cried out to stop for a rest. I wouldn't have quit climbing 15 years ago, and I wasn't about to stop now. Joining the boys at the top was a happy event.
We continued on. My wife Lil and other son Darren now met us with a car and the trailer that would transport our bikes back to Hepburn once we had reached Regina. With the added encouragement, and now only 15 miles from our goal, we continued on. The car had barely left with most of our gear when the back sprocket on my bike came loose. We tried to fix it, but there was no use. I told David and Paul to go and meet Lil, and then come back to pick me up.
I started to walk. It started to rain, at first slowly. I thought it would pass. There was no shelter, and I had no jacket. It started to pour. I was wet and cold, and my runners filled with water. I held onto my bike and stuck out my thumb. Vehicles drove by. Then, a van stopped and took me into Regina. David and Paul missed the storm but biked into the toughest wind of the day--and they made it. They reached the goal.
Why do I write this description of the weekend?
First, If you have an opportunity to create a memory with your family, do it. Look for something they are interested in. Invest time and energy. The trip I described was not anticipated as much as it could have been. Get excited together and do it.
Second, the life of following Jesus is in some ways like a bike trip. It calls for perseverance and heading into the wind. When one can accept that this is the case, it is easier to keep going. Persevere in the following, even up hills and into the wind.
Doug Berg is president of Bethany Bible Institute in Hepburn, Sask.
Return to the M.B. Herald Vol. 35, No. 14
Home Page