Wednesday, August 29, 2007

New Mercies

The Beginnings of Another Day

Alarm sounds. Snooze. A voice in my head: “It’s too dark to ride.” Alarm. Snooze. Another voice: “The whole day goes better when it begins on time.”

My wife stirs, my eyes open, and my feet slide over the side of the bed. With contacts in, riding gear on, and Zune in hand, I head for the garage. My three-year-old son stands in the doorway as I stretch by the van: “Hi, Dad.” He rubs his eyes and yawns as I turn him around and head him back toward his bunk.

It’s a cool morning, and wet. I stand on the pedals, letting the wind awaken my body and mind as I coast downhill. The sky is brightening, but the full moon is still visible above the mountains to the west, streaked with a few thin clouds. As I turn uphill to the north, the long incline burns my lungs and legs. The mountain air is invigorating, and I savor the smells: fresh rain and wet lumber. Two of my favorites.

I stray from my normal route and turn east to watch the sun rise as I climb another hill. Cresting the ridge, I see the thumbnail of fire breaking the horizon and scattering the darkness from the forests and fields around me.

Three miles out I turn and head for home. The downhill ride makes my ears ache with the wind, but it gives me the chance to relax a bit and coast. A yellow spray of wildflowers covers the hills. A snake moves on the pavement. Two bucks bound across the road in front of me; a doe lags behind.

Braking slowly, my bike glides to rest next to my wife’s. I slip quietly back into the house and notice that lights are on in the bathroom, the kitchen, and the hallway. Apparently my attempt to delay my son’s waking failed, and his quest for breakfast is fully underway. After making sure he’s all set, I grab my journal and Bible and head for the couch. Another day has begun.

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Glad to see you back in the ether of cyberspace. Reading your post(s) it's as if you never left the friendly confines of BBC. Somehow the description of your morning bike ride seems a little bit more inspiring than - I was cruisin up Middlebelt to eight mile, past GreeeMeade . . . .Ah, the sites of the D. Thanks for the heads up on the blog. I will put it in my daily surf rotation. I am sure that I will be seeking some of your wisdom as I am flipping through my new copy of the 'The New Dictonary of Biblical Theology' that McKeever assinged me as required reading. Take care bro.

mm

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a nice place. Maybe we'll have to come visit sometime soon!

Unknown said...

You should try out the kids' carriers they sell these days -- they're like wagons you attach to the bike -- we go as a family about every other night. What a workout to drag 150+/- lbs behind ya up & down the hills! And then that way, you have an awesome family time too.

MadMup said...

I know I'm supposed to be reflecting on your early morning rituals and ruminations, but what really makes me want to weep with joy is that you're a fellow Zune owner.