Of Mileage and Major Miracles

When I launched my Facebook campaign last week, people were psyched! Two people asked, "Are you really going to bike across the country?" I told them, "Yes, that is the plan." This adventure is incredulous enough but I believe they express doubts others haven't spoken. I've asked myself the same question. It's a valid one.

Why would I say that? Well, I'm a sedentary, frequent flake who sunburns easily and has no internal GPS.

But, these points work just as well to prove that I have to do this. In 2002, during a period of depression, I lost my appetite and ate very little for several weeks. As a result, I dropped a lot of weight and looked sickly. People expressed concern. Then, long story short, I fell in love, situations improved, and life was happier. So, I got comfortable and heavier. I went from 175 to 249 where I've been for a couple of years now. I had asthma even at my ideal weight. When I'd huff and puff some would say, "you're outta shape." I wasn't but now I am.

I don't want to be sedentary or flake-like and I don't have to be. This commitment is designed to change me, to put me into high gear. Everything that I hope to do in life requires this change of me. Other than that, I can pick up some SPF 1000 and a directional device of some sort. Problems solved.

I've attempted to redefine myself a few times in the past. Updated wardrobes and haircuts have never achieved the desired effect. Fresh perspective and renewed determination only go a little further. I want people to take me seriously. I know you can't please all the people all the time, but that's not what I'm saying. I want to be an advocate for broken, thirsty, and sick people. What better way to be taken seriously than to take the cause so seriously that I sacrifice for them? Rhetoric doesn't get anyone's attention but personal sacrifice does.

So, that is happening. People are sitting up and paying attention. Another miracle I see unfolding is that I am becoming more charitable of others. Entering into this I expected to hear the decry that we should do for those here before going elsewhere. I have. In fact, I know of at least one family member who on those grounds refuses to support me. I expected to hear this from my more conservative friends and family. However, that has not been the case. Nearly everyone has been enthusiastic. While I have been cynical, there's less and less room to be. We are united by our love of mercy.

Perhaps my favorite miracle is this: my 17 year-old brother, Josh, wants to do this next year. Why is that a miracle? I've been trying to get through to Josh for years. I have pestered him since he was in middle school about figuring out what he wanted to do in life. I hoped to help him avoid the same floundering prevalent in my teens and early twenties. Those conversations routinely went nowhere but when I told him about my summer plans he said, "that sounds like something I'd like to do." I encouraged him by saying that he couldn't let me outdo him (he's much more athletic than me). This past week he tells me, "I'm going to do that next year." Wow. That's all I can say.

The stakes are incredibly high. It's either gonna be one glorious victory or one truly ugly failure. I better ride well or else...