Defying Gravity

Thoughts after church today:

I remember all too well the feeling I had when I got my first bike. It, of course, had training wheels. I loved to go around in circles on the patio in front of our house, and when I was brave, I would muster enough courage to ride through the gravel drive way. It wasn't nearly as smooth of a ride, and I always risked falling or getting stuck rather easily. That, of course, meant I was likely to get injured as well.

Eventually it was time to take those training wheels off. My brother so loving coached me, "JUST. KEEP. PEDALING." It wasn't long after, and I could ride that bike on my own, feel the lovely Idaho breezes in my hair, all while pumping my legs until they burned.

This is also similar to the life we are living right now. Everything we have known previously has been taken away as we were born and passed through a veil. Sometimes life offers sweet, smooth times. They are, frankly, easy. Others are rather rocky, bumpy, and difficult to push through. Those hard times try to suck us down to try to define who we are. They are often unwilling to let us move on.

However, just like my crazy-haired, jelly shoe wearing childish self, we JUST. KEEP. PEDALING. There's no saying when a rock will try to stumble our way. The harder we pedal and the faster we go, the easier it is to defy gravity, to not get held up in those trials, shortcomings, and/or addictions.

My advice for all of us? JUST KEEP PEDALING! Whatever it is that you are struggling with RIGHT NOW...know that there's people who care about you. I mean, obviously if you are reading this, you've impacted my life at some point, and I CARE ABOUT YOU!!! There's a Heavenly Father that cares for you, too. Maybe you're saying, "Meh, my life is smooooooth sailing!" Just wait. Your time  is coming. But remember...what good is a ship if it never treads water and only remains in the harbor?

You know, I really am loving our time here in Hawaii. It's been a change to literally be surrounded by water, nowhere to really go. I had a sweet moment today while at church. I kept thinking about people who have passed on that have molded me into a better person. I got the chills and looked to my right, and there was a spitting image of my great-grandma Tyler...only a Hawaiian version. She is so sweet and gentle, just like I remember my grandma being. My heart swelled up so big I thought it was going to burst, and I couldn't hold back the tears. It's funny how I have moved away from absolutely everything I've ever known and my family & friends. You would think it would be easier to lose sight of who I am. But sitting in that church away from everything I know, I realized in losing everything, I have found myself. In fact, it has made it easier to see that I'm really not alone. It was as if my grandma was in church with me today, and I'm grateful for such reminders that they REALLY AREN'T THAT FAR.

I hope you have had a great Sunday. Love you all.