Unexpected Turns

The temperature falls a little every day, and my days of bike riding outdoors will soon end for the year. Though I get a similar workout on a stationary bike in the exercise room of our building, it’s not the same as riding outside. I felt thankful that the rain held off so I could ride the other morning.

Most days I bike on the trail at the forest preserve northeast of us. It’s easily accessed by crossing the street, riding north through a village park and down a quarter-mile gravel road connecting to the 2.5-mile trail.

About a year ago, I decided to diverge from my usual route to a trail near the YMCA. My schedule that day was open, the weather warm and sunny, and a longer ride enticed me. New upright handlebars made riding my old ten-speed Schwinn more comfortable, too. So, I crossed the street, rode through part of the preserve, and headed out the north exit. From there, I went east along a two-lane road to the trail.

After navigating mostly on sidewalks and grass, I crossed the road, hit the YMCA trail, and made the full circle around the lake. What a feeling of satisfaction riding that trail and lake again. I headed toward home the way I came, crossing the two-lane road. Once across, as I steered from grass to sidewalk, suddenly I hit the ground, bike down and knee bleeding.

Thankfully I had worn a helmet, or I might have been seriously injured as I bumped my head on the sidewalk. After taking a deep breath and pushing the bike off me, I stood a bit unsteadily and surveyed the damage. The wound was only a messy abrasion, and I could walk okay. My arm and head felt bruised but not broken. The handlebars were detached from the bike and walking it and me the five miles home wasn’t an option. I called Steve at work, and after telling him I was hurt but alive, he suggested I call a friend who lived near there. That friend was just about to go work in his garden where he would never have heard my call. He came, shoved my broken bike in his trunk, and drove me home.

The route I took was an unplanned one, both to the YMCA trail and home in a car with a good friend. When faced with unexpected turns, we just roll with them in the moment. I could trace God’s hand as I later considered, first that I was okay, and second that a friend was nearby and available to help. Upon inspection at the bike shop, they admitted that the new handlebars had been installed incorrectly. They fixed them at no charge.

Have you faced circuitous routes? Maybe your plans didn’t work out the way you expected. I’ve been disappointed by changes life has thrown at me. Looking back, perhaps you’ll be able to see like I have how the Lord worked things out. We may not learn why things went in a surprising direction, but God gives protection and strength on the trip and straightens what seems crooked.

“I know the plans I have you for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6