I can't feel my butt!!!

A few years ago my good friend Kurt and I were hanging out on the east side of the Sierra Nevada.  We had our mountain bikes with us so we decided we needed an adventure.  Our plan was to ride from Highway 395 up to Rock Creek Lake.  This was a 3,000 foot vertical climb over 10 miles of paved road that ends at an elevation just a little over 10,000 feet.

We started out and about a quarter mile into it I figured out this wasn't as easy as it seemed it would be.  My friend Kurt was in great shape and was going along pretty easily but I was more fat than fit and was sucking wind.  The first half mile is straight but constantly up.  Then the road curves and gets steeper.  If you have ridden a bike for any distance you know your butt can go numb from sitting on the seat.  It was when we came around that first bend I started whining.  I was hot, tired and couldn't feel my butt.  I told Kurt that this whole thing was a stupid idea and I was going back.  He, on the other hand, wanted to keep going.  I watched him ride up around the next bend and he was gone.

There I was standing all alone in the middle of the road.   Inside me a small voice was saying "Don't be a quitter!  You can do it!  Don't give up!"  So I made the decision to press on.  For the next 3 hours I rode that bike.  There are no level spots on this road, only up.  But I kept putting one pedal in front of other, taking each bend or straightaway as it came.  Just telling myself "You can do this".  But always focused on the ultimate goal of reaching the lake.

With less than a half mile to the top I finally caught up with Kurt.  He was actually just starting back down when he saw me.  He said he couldn't believe his eyes when he saw me grinding up that road.  He rode back up to the lake with me.  I was so happy to finish.  I did my best and had persevered.  I remember Kurt and I sitting on that lake shore eating peanut butter sandwiches and reading psalms together.  Oh, before we headed back down we had to have a slice of Rock Creek Resort's famous homemade pie - nectarine ala mode - it was SWEEEET!

Yesterday when at the doctors office I once again had the choice to quit or finish the climb to the top. It was my choice whether or not to have the third chemo treatment. Considering that I already feel like crap, am losing my hearing, and am ready to done, I chose to persevere instead and go for the full treatment. Gal 6:9 "do not grow weary while doing good, for you will reap a harvest if you do not get tired and give up" I am tired and at times weary, but am not going to give up short of the lake! I am going on despite the fact that I can't feel my butt and I can't see the top yet. Regardless of the outcome, I know that I have to do all that is in my power to do, and trust the Lord with the rest.

Back to my story, the ride down took only 20 minutes. It was amazing and a total rush. But nothing will beat the feeling I had when I finally reached the top, sat down by the lake taking it all in, rested a bit and ate a peanut butter sandwich. It was an experience I will never forget. 

This I think is another one of those times. I know that there is a sweet experience waiting for me that will be life changing if I keep going. If my bike ride is any indication of the wonder that waits for me, I think I'll keep going till I get to the top. 

HOLD FAST!