A Grateful Heart: Joy of Biking

Welcome to another week of A Grateful Heart, a time where I get a little personal with you by sharing my gratitude for blessings in my life. Today I’m going to tell you why I’m grateful for my new favorite outdoor activity…biking.When I first started biking earlier this year, I really didn’t expect it to become a joyful habit. After a cold, long winter followed by a Vitamin D deficiency, I knew I needed to take my exercise outdoors and soak up some sunlight once Spring arrived. Biking sounded like a logical solution, so I dug my bike out of the shed and started biking in the mornings. It wasn’t enjoyable at first, mainly because I needed a new bike, but my hubby quickly solved that problem by buying me a new one.  Each day I worked my way through backaches and sore elbows, making adjustments to the handlebar and seat placements until I found a comfortable ride. I forced myself to ride my bicycle most mornings, not really looking forward to the activity.

Then one day, it all changed…

I was sitting at my desk one morning, unable to concentrate on my tasks, feeling a little under the weather with no energy. I looked out the window and saw the sun beckoning me to come outside to greet him. I hadn’t been biking that morning, so I headed outside for a ride. I was biking around the neighborhood, enjoying the sun, nature and solitude when it hit me….I had finally found joy in biking! Even better, it had become a habit and I now craved the activity. Once I returned home I felt energized, focused and was able to check off my to-do list with purpose. Since that day, I haven’t looked back! Biking has become the part of my day that I truly look forward to, and I miss my it when my schedule doesn’t allow me to ride. 

Biking not only provides exercise for my body, but it also provides nourishment for my soul. Some days I use my biking time as a prayer time, talking to God and making petitions as I travel the road. Other days I simply admire the beauty of the nature He created, praising Him for His wonderful creation, for the blessing of another day, for His provision, goodness and mercy. Some days I listen to worship songs as I pedal away, letting the words sink into my spirit. Yes, I have been known to sing along on occasion, too. On days when Errik joins me, I thank God for the husband He’s blessed me with…even as he pushes me to pedal faster and faster! 

So, today I am grateful for the joy of biking in my life. I’m grateful for the exercise my body receives from my time spent outdoors, as well as the health to be able to bike. I am thankful that biking has pushed me to do things I’d never thought I’d do, like complete a 20 mile bike ride. I’m grateful that biking serves as a time for me and my husband to enjoy an activity together as we check out new bike trails in the area we live, and I’m thankful for the communion I have with God when I’m biking alone. What can I say? I’m even grateful for the deer and other wildlife that keep their eyes on me while I roll past them.

So, what are you thankful for today? I’d love it if you’d share it with me!