Two years ago, we taught Matt how to ride his bike on this trail. As I watched him ride the other day, I watched him hop on his bike and take off, without a thought. It wasn’t like that when he first started.

As when any of us started riding our bikes, we hopped on, and pedaled once or twice before we fell off. We’d get back on and try again, and again, and again.

We patiently persevered to find our rhythm in this new routine.

I share this with you today because when I watched Matt ride the other day, I realized that I am the kid learning to ride my bike right now; except instead of riding my bike, I am learning a new rhythm in my daily routine. I am waking up each morning ready to go, yet I have moments when I fall off track, whether it be with parenting, school, work, etc.

Yet, I keep getting up each day, and trying again, and again; some days seeking to press a reset button, multiple times a day.

I know we will find a rhythm that will work, but as with riding a bike, it will take time, patience and perseverance.

I share this with you in case some of you can relate. I invite you to join me to...

pause. breathe. pray.

May we give ourselves permission to fall. To be imperfect. Yet may we too have the patience and perseverance to keep getting up, and trying, again and again. It may not be easy but one day we will find ourselves, like Matt on his bike, experiencing less falls and more joy in the journey.

With love and hope,
Shawn

“We know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”

- Romans 5:3-4