Random Walk

The past couple of weeks have been one of those seasons where things would have to improve dramatically to be termed dismal. In my old age, I’m able to keep my chin up and view events with at least a little perspective, appreciating that the truly important matters are in the right place and right hands, but the waxy build-up of the daily grind can still drag you down sometimes.

Then you have a weekend like the one just past, when the Random Family, plus the Random Grandparents, tackled the annual MS 150 bike tour from Houston to Austin to raise funds for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

"...winds out of the north and northwest at 10 to 20 mph..."

For those of you unfamiliar with the geography of the sovereign nation of Texas, and in particular, the route between Houston and Austin, that relatively insignificant phrase in the agate type of our local forecast was not welcome news. Not to be melodramatic, but fighting headwinds for two days was probably an appropriate reminder of why we were riding in the first place.

And ride to Austin we did! In a fit of optimism, the Random Family opted for the long route on Saturday, clocking 104.5 miles from our house to La Grange, achieving our first "family century." The Random Grandparents opted for the shorter launch point from Waller, and cranked out 75 miles in fine style. To give you a sense of how much a difference the wind made, the marshals were obliged to keep the course open until 8:00 in the evening, when total darkness sets in, as opposed to the normal closure at 6:00. It was a long, long day.

Day 2 dawned bright, cold, and... still? Leaving from La Grange, we were fortunate to tuck about 15-20 miles under our belt before the winds picked up again, and that helped us all achieve our goal of riding (upright, tall in the saddle, pick your metaphor, we were too tired to choose) down Congress to the finish line.

I always try to ask myself the “why” question when it comes to the serious decisions and issues. I want to be sure of my path, but also of my motivation. We have friends who are fighting MS, and from them we know the money raised really does make a difference. But I’m also honest enough to know I also seek that sense of accomplishment that one gets when a tough goal is achieved.

But straining into a stiff headwind, yet looking from side to side at what God can do with 72 degrees and a hillside of wildflowers, and dreaming of quitting to go sit in a seat with an actual cushion while remembering there are a lot of people hoping and praying that we would go the distance, that’s really the answer. If God is in the details, then He is in the paradoxes and the struggles as much as the joys. I’ve had better weeks, but few better weekends.