I Was In Trouble…

“I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.”
John 14:18

I was in trouble…

My shoelace was wrapped completely around my road bike pedal and my brand new bike computer had me clocked at 22 mph. 

I had amped up my triathlon training schedule and was seeing great gains in my ability and confidence. My scheduled race was a few weeks away and although riding on the county roads made me a bit nervous- I picked a less traveled one not far from our home with intentions to get some good speed work mixed with a few rolling hills. It was an out and back course that day and I was about 75% complete. I figured at the top of the next hill I would be able to see familiar neighborhoods indicating I was just a few more miles from home. 

I pushed the downhills as best I could and rested a bit coasting towards the bottom.

That’s when I felt a tug and pressure on the top of my foot. 

I had been telling myself for years that I was going to use my birthday money to get some road bike cleats. The problem was that my birthday was always after my race season ended. By late August I wanted a few new sweatshirts and a jacket to wear all fall, winter, and spring. So the road bike cleats were never purchased and usually, there was just a bit of regret the following summer as I amped up my workouts. 

Coasting down a hill at 22mph had me again regretting never purchasing the proper footwear. 

I panicked and prayed at the same time. My control was completely limited as my wheels spun freely. I swerved a bit worried about the occasional car that passed me. There was a long flat following this particular descent. Oh, how I wished there was an immediate steep hill climb so I could quickly slow my cruising bike. 

My focus had to shift. My speed didn’t matter, my wishes for a hill were worthless thoughts. 

I wondered how I’d fare in recovery if I bailed into the narrow grassy shoulder. My glimpse in that direction caused me concern about broken glass bottles and the cuts outweighed the bruises and potential bone brakes. There was no easy way out. 

I needed to deliberately hold my handlebars, narrow my focus, and remain upright. 

My renewed vigilance worked as my bike slowed enough for me to clumsily put my left foot down…sort of and finish with a bit of a controlled fall. 

I was scraped up, mad at myself, but completely fine. 

I felt the peace to steady my course was aided. I prayed, hoping for a miracle. There was no immediate rescue but rather enduring peace and increased strength to focus on my resolve. 

This is how Christ meets me.- right where I am – and He steady’s me- even endures with me enabling me with strength and fortitude beyond my own. 

He meets me there (wherever I am) and asks me to do the same for others whether we are cruising at 22mph completely outta control or absolutely stuck gaining no speed nor progression. I continue to learn just how perfectly Christ won’t leave me…ever…

-JC

Cinnamon Streusel Cookies

1 cup soft butter
1/2 cup sour cream
2 cups granulated sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 ½ cups cinnamon chips

Cream butter, sour cream and sugar with an electric mixer on medium high for 1 minute or until fluffy. Hand stir in eggs and vanilla extract; don’t over-mix. Add dry ingredients all at once and mix until fully incorporated. Add 2+ Tablespoons more flour for high elevation. Stir in cinnamon chips. Scoop out 24+ 2” balls of dough. Dough will be sticky. Flatten slightly. Top each cookie with 1 Tablespoon of Cinnamon Streusel.
(For a richer flavor and smoother texture refrigerate or freeze until ready to bake.) 
Place on parchment paper lined aluminum cookie sheets. Bake at 350 degrees for 15+ minutes. Immediately drizzle warm cookies with Vanilla Glaze. 
Let set. Share!

Cinnamon Streusel
½ cup brown sugar
½ cup all-purpose flour
½ cup cold butter, cubed
2 teaspoons cinnamon
¼ teaspoon salt
Cut all ingredients together until crumbly.  

Vanilla Glaze
3 Tablespoons whole milk
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 ½ cups powdered sugar
Use a food processor to thoroughly mix all ingredients.