I recently had my first long time week away from her when I went to California for a week. No not my wife, I have done that before. It is never fun to be away from her. She is a great lady that rocks my world. It is my first long trip away from the Vulcan. Day one was such a weird experience. Number one, I am reduced to walking around Anaheim and the blocks were really long there. I was not able to get into my hotel right away so I was allowed ample time to walk and think.

Anyone that has not ridden on a motorcycle before might not understand the feeling of not having her by your side. Cold shakes, mind wandering, aimlessly walking the streets, that is what I was like. (and my eye was twitching)

Hi my name is Joseph and I have a problem.

I found myself sitting at Al’s Diner contemplating how I can get to a place that rents motorcycles. As my hamburger and fries were getting colder I find myself gazing at the man with his son at the counter. He had a Suzuki GSX t-shirt on and I found myself dreaming. (I don’t even like that bikes but any bike is better than none.) The double cheeseburger was really good, but I could hardly put it in my mouth because I was shaking so hard.

I can’t explain the pull that it has. But you know what it is like. It is the same pull and struggle you have. No maybe not with a motorcycle or the open road, but you know what I am talking about. We are all obsessed with and desire something that is as equally as strong.

Some are hooked on the illegal drugs or substances. Others it just might be those flickering pixels in that box. It might be those threads in the closet. You might be lost without those buds coming out of your ear or if you are unable to download the latest iphone app. It might not even be a thing..but rather a spot in your backyard early in the morning or casting your bate out onto the calm water.

We all long for something and when we put that at the center of our mind and thoughts and then our actions that is when we get ourselves in trouble. Most things in and of themselves are not bad. It is the placeholder we give them that is the problem. It is when we put them in the center of our priorities that we find ourselves doing stupid stuff.

Jesus says seek first His Kingdom and everything else will work much nicer. When life gets hard I like to ride. I like to run. I like to hide. Latter on down the list I talk to Jesus and hear what He has to say. My center is so off.

Go out of town and watch yourself to see what you first miss about home. Evaluate your yearnings and longings. Those are the things that are usually at the center of you wheel. I am not proud to say that right after missing my bike I needed to find the nearest coffee shop, then where I was going to eat. Not at one point did I think, “where can I find a quiet place to meet with my Lord and Savior”.

You see it is hard to seek Him first when the open road is calling and you are jittery because you have no saddle to sit on. But when you take Jesus out of the center your wheel and life is out of balance and will soon collapse. It leads to days like I had. Cold hamburger and fries and an unsettled spirit.

Hi my name is Joseph and I have a problem.