Going Downhill
When I was a child (around 4 years old) I remember very vividly going to my grandmother's house often with my older brother to ride our bicycles around their paved/gravel driveway. We chose to do this because our house was mostly grass around it and as you know it is hard to ride a bicycle in grass especially when you are that little. My grandparents had plenty of room in their backyards where we could go out and ride in circles and race each other. We used to have a blast!
However, there was one rule. My grandparents live off of a busy highway and the main part of their driveway goes up a steep hill that comes up and then makes a circle around their house. The rule was simple: We were not to ride our bikes down this steep hill under ANY circumstances.
We both knew this rule very well because it was stressed any time the bikes came out of the barn. Then one sunny day, that lives vividly in my mind, something terrifying happened.
Me and my brother had gotten off of our bikes and we were running around the yard and he challenged me to a foot race. Down the steep hill and around the circle part of the driveway. A one lap race. My brother is 3 years older than me and at the time (this was years before all of my cross country training) he was MUCH faster than me... but I never back down from a challenge.
So off we went. Full speed down the hill. By the time I made the full lap he was already finished and nearly completely recovered. My legs were too short and he was much too fast. So I stubbornly devised a plan.
I challenged him to another race. Same course and you would think same outcome. However my plan would give me a chance to gain some ground on him.
We said go and he started full speed down the hill; but I instead ran to the side... and grabbed my bike. My grandparents and uncle had just walked inside for a second so this was the perfect opportunity. My legs were too short but with my wheels I could win this!
I started down the hill and quickly began gaining ground on him. I heard my grandparents come outside and yell something to me but who could stop now that I was a speeding bullet. I got close to the turn. Then the panic sunk in. I was going to fast. I was paralyzed with fear. With no way to make the turn at my speed and with hands gripped to tightly to the handle bars to pull my hand brakes, I knew I was in trouble.
When I close my eyes and think back to this day I can still remember like it was yesterday the way I felt. No control. Fear racking my entire body. I can still see the car that had to slam on the brakes to avoid hitting me as I fired like a stone from a slingshot across the busy highway, into a ditch, and up against their neighbors barbwire fence.
This was the first time in my life that I realized that I am not invincible.
This was the first time I have felt what it is like to have no control.
Fast forward to nearly 20 years later.
There are days that life moves so fast that I feel like I'm back on that bicycle, gripping the handle bars until my knuckles were white, barreling down that hill. Between getting married next month, closing on my first house, budgeting money and all of the other life changing decisions I am making life can be hard.
Sometimes I press my metaphorical brakes before quickly realizing that life doesn't work that way. Time doesn't slow down for anyone.
So what can I do when I feel like I have no control?
I enjoy the little things
Every day is full of little moments that can make a Big impact if I let it. I've learned not to rush all of the big events. I'll have a house in less than a month. I'll be married soon. However, those aren't the only events in my life. If I focus solely on getting to those 3 or 4 BIG moments I'll miss everything in between. Life is full of beauty, it's not just a collection of events. Enjoy the little things as you move along. Take joy in the world surrounding you.
2. I surround myself with experienced people
What do I mean by "experienced people"? There are literally billions of people in the world that are either experiencing the same things as me or they have experienced these things. I'm never too big to go to someone and ask for advice. I understand that I don't have it all together and that no one ever really has it ALL together... and that is okay. We were created to have relationships and because of that there are endless possibilities to better ourselves.
3. I give it ALL to God
I don't start my day without spending time with my creator. When I start my day in His presence it calms my anxiety. It gives me peace to know that even when I was barreling down that hill at the speed equal to Sonic the Hedgehog that my God had His hands on my life. That He had preordered my steps. Every event that I have coming up can't phase me when I know that God has control when I don't. And the best news? He's better at handling my situations than I am!
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
Since that day 20 years ago I have strived to give my parents and other family members less heart attacks. I swear I took about 10 years off of their lives that day. However, the lesson that comes with this story will last for a lifetime.
I don't need constant control, because I have an almighty God that does.
I hope you enjoyed this blog post. I haven't written one in a very long time but I plan to slowly start back up as I document the life changes that are currently happening. If you did enjoy this post please subscribe to my website. It doesn't cost anything and it sends you updates as I post things. Or if you have a comment or a question you can scroll down to where it says "Drop me a line..." at the bottom of the screen and I will get back to you. Thank you so much for reading my content!
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