September 2026
Hi Everybody,
Well, here we are. It’s September. School is back in session, summer is almost over, farmers are beginning to prepare for harvest, pastors are planning for Advent and Christmas; and all these things are in addition to the usual day-to-day and weekly tasks that fill our days. Life can be busy, and sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in the flurry of it all. That’s why I like this poem I want to share with you. It reminds me that I’m not the one in charge and that my job is to keep doing what I’m doing… pedaling away… while trusting and following Jesus. It’s a message I need to be reminded of a lot these days, and perhaps some of you do as well.
The poem was given to me by a friend when I prepared to leave St. Louis to go to seminary. The author is unknown. I hope you like it.
Road of Life
At first, I saw God as my observer, my judge,
keeping track of the things I did wrong,
so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I die.
He was out there sort of like a president.
I recognized his picture when I saw it,
but I really didn’t know him.
But later on when I met Jesus,
it seemed as though life were rather like a bike ride.
But it was a tandem bike,
and I noticed that Jesus was in the back helping me pedal.
I don’t know just when it was
that he suggested we change places,
but life has not been the same since.
When I had control, I knew the way.
It was rather boring, but predictable …
It was the shortest distance between two points.
But when he took the lead,
He knew delightful long cuts, up mountains,
and through rocky places at breakneck speeds.
It was all I could do to hang on!
Even though it looked like madness,
He said, “Pedal!”
I worried and was anxious and asked,
“Where are you taking me?”
He laughed and didn’t answer,
and I started to learn trust.
I forgot my boring life
and entered into the adventure.
And when I’d say, “I’m scared,”
He’d lean back and touch my hand.
He took me to people with gifts that I needed,
gifts of healing, acceptance, and joy.
They gave me gifts to take on my journey,
my Lord’s and mine.
And we were off again.
He said, “Give the gifts away,
they’re extra baggage, too much weight.”
So I did, to the people we met,
and I found that in giving I received,
and still our burden was light.
I didn’t trust him at first,
to control my life.
I thought he’d wreck it.
But he knows bike secrets,
knows how to make it bend to take sharp corners,
knows how to jump to clear high rocks,
knows how to fly to shorten scary passages.
And I’m learning to shut up and pedal,
in the strangest places.
And I’m beginning to enjoy the view
and the cool breeze on my face
with my delightful constant companion, Jesus Christ.
And when I’m sure I just can’t do anymore,
He just smiles and says … “Pedal!”
That’s it, friends. That’s my message for us all this month. Keep pedaling. Keep praying. Keep your eyes and hearts focused on Jesus. What we are doing, what we say, and what we pray about matters. Here is my prayer. It can be yours, as well.
Lord Jesus Christ, sometimes pedaling is hard. Give us the strength to keep doing what we’re doing and open our eyes to the many blessings that are accompanying us on this journey. Help us to enjoy the view, hang on for the ride, and trust that you are leading us to where you want us to be. Amen.
Have a great month, everybody. Keep pedaling!
Pastor Jill