The other day was the adventure with a few lessons to be learned. As some know I ride a single speed pedal trike. Often going for rides that most wouldn’t consider. In this case the intended ride was pretty normal other than for one other stop to check out the new Chick-fil-A in town.

Ride started with the chain that connects the pedals to the drive wheel slipping off. Probably due to excessive speed and some uneven pavement. It’s something that hasn’t happened before in the seven years I’ve owned the trike. So a little bit out of my own knowledge range to fix on the fly. Yet I managed to do that and was on my way.

While the rest of the ride at that point was fine and no further issues. It was not the case on the return. I have a few routes that I take when I’m out and about. Main paths that I often travel on because I know my way around and I’m often trying to avoid traffic on the main roads. At some point on one of the back paths my front tire picked up a sharp stone and put a nice pin hole leak. Enough to the point that nearly 0.3 miles from home I could no longer ride.

At this time of the day the normal people I could contact are at work or busy with life. I really had no one to contact and decided to try and walk it home. Even though my ability to walk is limited. Many cars passed me as I was walking the road. Often driving past me as I was stopped trying to catch my breath. This fact alone sent me into a full core panic attack. Praying to the Lord to send someone to help me I managed to get contact my girlfriend who, was with her mom. They came out and helped me get home.

In those moments you feel truly alone and isolated. You seek out help and often times no help exists. Sometimes people are not able to or just unwilling to see if someone is OK. In that moment I felt a level of frustration that is truly soul crushing. Seeking help and no one willing to lend a hand.

For me it is a reflection on what I have to face with The Project and finding displays. It’s that same understanding of seeking help with none to be found and praying for the right person to help. In this case it was from my girlfriend’s mom. A light in what could be been a dark time for me. It should trouble me to no end. Yet I find comfort in knowing that I will always face an uphill battle. With some grace in finding solutions to the problems at hand.

Sometimes not every person (or parish) is a right fit for the help you need. Yet God knows what those needs are and what the best options that can truly be helpful for what you are doing. -