Warning: this may start off like a “whiny” post, but hopefully the tune will change!! 😉
Sunday following lunch, I decided to do something I rarely do on a Sunday afternoon…I went for a ride. Usually I come back to the office after eating out and try to prepare for the coming week. But with the sun shining a clear 70+ degrees, I could hear the two wheels calling me. Seriously, when I left that morning for the office at 3:30, I could hear a whispering voice asking, “Will I see you later today? Will you spend some time with me today?” Trust me when I say that it wasn’t Jo. She doesn’t even think 3:30 a.m. exists. So, I spoke to my bike and said, “I plan to.” The wind was really strong (in the 25 mph range) and heading south and then east was a rough way to go. When I hit mile #10 (and the wind was now at my back), I thought, “Oh boy, that turn around is not going to be fun.” My turn around would pit me against the wind again for at least another 5-6 miles. When I hit mile #10.5 I felt something wasn’t right and looked back and sure enough…my tire was going flat. FRUSTRATION!! After assessing the situation, I made a call and Jo came to pick me up. It wasn’t a simple flat. One of the wires from the sidewall had punctured the tube. I could have fixed it the “MacGyver Way” but chose not to.  So much for my ride. So much for trusting that little voice that said, “Ride me.”
Yesterday (Monday) was a less than stellar day in the office. We had been having some issues with the internet in the office, particularly mine, and yesterday was one for the birds! Once, within a period of five minutes, I lost connection 3 times. All told I probably lost connection no less than 15-20 times. Ryan (techgeek) figured it was the router and by-passed it last night so we hopefully won’t have any more trouble. (I sure hope not since he leave for a much-needed three weeks away this Friday). Talk about FRUSTRATION! That meant getting up, walking down the hall, unplugging then re-plugging the router so it would reconnect the wireless and…well, long story. It was almost enough to make me lose my religion. 🙂 That also explains why I have made rare comments these past two days.
I am not alone…I know. We all deal daily with frustrations-some huge, some not so huge. Depending on where we are at the moment spiritually, sometimes those frustrations are little blips in the road, but sometimes those frustrations are like major speed bumps.  I will not sugarcoat it:
I. HATE. SPEED. BUMPS!!!
Be they the kind in parking lots or in life…I can do without them…thank you very much.  But they are necessary-for safety, and for slowing us down.  I picture the whole bottom of my car falling off whenever I have hit one too hard. When I have hit one spiritually, I pray my faith stays strong. I’m not talking about a flat tire or a lack of internet either…those are minor. I am talking about the big bumps that block my/your way…cancer, losing a loved one, financial ruin, loss of a “friend,” betrayal, (fill in the blank).  What I do know is the promise of Scripture: “I will never leave you, or forsake you.”
I know my frustrations are minor in the grand scheme of things. So, if you are going through a tough time…don’t give up. Find strength and direction and wisdom in the arms of the Savior. How are you doing these days? I’d like to hear from you, especially if you would like me to pray for you.
It’s funny how a faulty internet connection can ruin our day 🙂 It’s happened to me before, and it is frustrating. Great post, Bill. God always comes through. My requests are mostly the same. Hope, your sermon on Sunday went well. Prayed for you!
Funny but sad isn’t it? Agree with you about God coming through. I am a poor judge Jon but I think it went well. 🙂 Had some positive feedback from those who don’t normally give it. Is that good? Thanks.
Is the sermon up? I’ll let you know haha 🙂 I listened to your message from two weeks ago (?), and enjoyed it.
I’m also praying for you and your wife, Ike.
My wife is being tested to see if the cancer has entered her bones. She has already told me.. if the tests are positive….she will seek no more treatment.
Do “we” want prayer? Yes. Not so sure about praying my wife out of heaven anymore. May His will be done.
Like I said Ike, my paltry whining is so small when others have life-altering things happening. I continue to pray for you both. I pray for wisdom, peace and God’s presence.
reading this- just breaks my heart and reminds me that it’s all about perspective. Ike- prayers being sent up!
praying for you and your wife. lost a few friends and my aunt to that sickness, so i know what it feels like, but God is faithful (even when He doesn’t do things the way we want Him to do…)
Way to go Zee. Ike and Carol can use your prayers. 🙂
Hi Ike,
I’ll praying for you and your wife.
I will pray for you also! So sorry.
Thanks Pinky.
my speed bumps lately are quite light… not sure whether it’s calmness before the storm or life is simply good, but i am making it a point to enjoy every bit of my life, even when things don’t go the way i thought they would.
the only speed bump is myself… when i keep stumbling instead of walking on. but, He gives strength to get up and walk on 🙂 He’s cool that way 😉
*hugs* & prayers all the way from Ukraine
I like light. 😛 but it does make one wonder. Love that God keeps picking us back up and giving strength to keep going. Hugs and prayers back at ya. Thanks for commenting on Tami’s blog also. She is sort of special. 😉
What I needed- again- you know my speed bumps.
🙂
Hi Bill,
I feel like I’m losing my faith in God these days. I’m getting really really confused as I try to understand who He is.
Procrastination is beginning to become part of me and I really need prayers on that.
Thanks.
Love,
Mercy.
We all go through times Mercy when things get tough. Without knowing your situation I can only say to trust the Father’s love for you. Don’t give up. I have and will pray for you.
I will be praying for Ike’s wife and hope the cancer hasn’t spread.
Frustrations are like pot holes in the roads. Some you hit and some you miss.
However,you will always have frustrations that seem insurmountable to one self but minor to others.
I just drive slower so I can miss them.
thanks for the prayers Larry. I am sure Ike & Carol will appreciate them. Different holes for different folks. 🙂 Thanks for the comment.
I went just went through 3 weeks of trying to get internet at my house. I chose a different company cause they said it would be quicker. It took them longer and then it didn’t work.
Frustrating. 🙂
God blew me away today. Oddly, my reaction was conviction. I was completely convicted about doubting God at all.
Cool! Can’t wait to read about it. Praying for you Jason.
Sometimes speed bumbs can be a blessing…for one they make you test your brake system. Two, they make you slow down and enjoy the simple things in life. A month ago my dear mother wound up in the hospital due to a combination of COPD and the fly bug that hit all of us. Thankfully she recovered from the flu, but seeing her so weak like that really made me aware of a lot of things, most importantly that my faith in God’s provisioning for me – even though it’s there – is not as strong as it needs to be.
You are right Ed. Speed bumps do allow us a chance to stop and evaluate. Glad your mom is better. He will provide. Thanks.
definitely frustrated with the lack of acceptable jobs in this town. I did get called in to do an extra shift at my part time job, but sadly my accepting will likely mess with my unemployment check. Stinks that it hurts me to work…
Go figure Charlie. Only in America does it seem that we are penalized for working. Still praying for you.
I have had a week so far where things are just not coming together. One of the biggest areas is the Message for this coming Sunday. I did something I rarely do and that is change from the plan but felt God leading it. I wrestled most of the day yesterday. Praying today things flow more freely.
I think I saw that on your Twitter on your blog. If God lead you to change it, it will come together (maybe when you get into the pulpit). Prayed for you this a.m. Thanks for coming by Jim.
Prayers answered! It flowed this morning and I actually got Sunday Morning done and tonights Study done. Just have Sunday Night Bible study to go.
That is awesome Jim! To quote a world famous theologian: “I love it when a plan comes together.” 🙂 But must admit you are a better man than I am. I don’t miss preparing 3x per week.
Prayerfully – some day I will not miss preparing 3X a week 🙂
I’m with you on the speed bumps. Got jolted with one a few weeks ago that isn’t going away without some work.
Don’t you just love it? (Sarcasm noted). God will come through for you though Susan. Thanks for the comment.
Thank you. I haven’t attained to the speed bumps that Job hit yet. 🙂 God is faithful anyway. That’s what I recite when I get frustrated and angry about this stuff. Sometimes it helps.
I hate to say it but I honestly hope I don’t attain Job’s status with speed bumps. If so, I hope I will be able to say what he said, “Thought He slay me yet will I trust Him.” 😮 Thanks for coming back Susan.
Amen
Great analogies. Praying for Ike and Carol makes me realize that I have probably been in the fast lane and laying down imaginary speed bumps. However I guess the speed bumps that I am experiencing are checking to see if all the nuts and bolts are tight for the journey. Thanks Bill!
Thanks for praying for Ike and Carol Tom. Tightening is important too. Don’t want things falling apart before their time! Thanks for coming by.
Ike-I will be praying for you and your wife. Tami-will be praying about your speed bumps. Charlie-will be praying about your job situation. My husband faced the same thing a year ago, the part-time job he did take to help supplement the unemployment check, made them lower the unemployment check! Yeah, go figure!
Speed bumps in life are something I’ve tried to explain to my youngest!
Another thought provoking post Bill!
As always, you are in my prayers.
I am sure the folks you mention will appreciate your prayers Jan. Thanks for the kind words Jan. Always love having you visit.
Just a quote today Bill…
“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.”
~ Helen Keller
And a prayer for Ike and his bride…
Thanks for the great quote Jay. And thanks for the prayers for Ike & Carol.
It is quite amazing that “we” do not personally know anyone on this blog…..yet because of Him….we love each other and pray for each other. We are “family”….bought with the precious blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. Both, Carol and I… thank all of you.
Family…bought. Exactly Ike. I am “proud” of my blog family-one that will rally around someone who needs prayer. Please keep us posted and let Carol know (and yourself) that we love her.
Thanks to my blog family.
Hi Bill,
In my mind this morning after reading your post and the comments “are speed bumps really interfering with our progress and walk with God, or are they times of practice, testing and growth in our lives?”
Who likes speed bumps. Yuk. I don’t like them either. However, we get to check ourselves. How are our motives doing? How are our decisions for righteousness doing? What direction are we going in? and so on.
I think of myself and the legal case over the past years. Has this legal case been a speed bump interfering with my walk and talk with God or has it been a part of my experience with God? A time where I can lay down some ground rules for myself like ‘be honest’ and a time of learning for me about where my weaknesses are, where my strengths are.
Do we really want to believe that life should be perfect and smooth if we are walking correctly with God on the earth? I think that place of perfectness is called paradise and we are not there yet…
Speed bumps can be both, I think, depending on how we look at them. Good take on it Linda. Thanks.
Hi Ike,
I will pray for you and Carol and your family.
Thanks Linda. Ike responded a little earlier. 🙂
I can totally relate. Those small frustrations can pile up and drive you crazy! In retrospect, they are pretty ridiculous frustrations but in the moment they seem tremendous.
I think it is the pile up of the little things that become an irritant. Like you said, they seem so big but in reality are little. Good to hear from you Tony.
When the internet goes out, it’s like my world stops. I don’t even know how to live anymore without that technology. It’s crazy. I hear you on frustrations. I haven’t had a lot of “serious” trouble lately, but minor inconveniences have been the name of the game. Thanks for the post.
Gotta wonder what in the world we ever did without it. 😉 Thanks Stan.