Can you be too careful?

The battle between good and evil (spring and winter) in Denver continues… Wednesday in the 70s and snow on Thursday Friday, Saturday and Sunday nice and snow again on Monday, last weekend we switched up the days because of Noah’s soccer game and work I didn’t ride on Saturday and went on Sunday instead. I got a late start because one of Noah’s friends from third grade was being baptized so our family went to church with them to celebrate and it was great. After church I rode and Robbie and Noah went to a BBQ with the family. While there the boy’s dad was asking Robbie where I was riding and she said she didn’t know. It is not that she doesn’t care or that I don’t want her to know it is because I don’t plan the day rides I just go until I see a road that looks interesting and take it.

When she said she didn’t know he went on to give a lecture on their family rule where everyone knows where everyone is all the time in case of an emergency. In general I agree with that idea, we always want to know where Noah is since he is nine and I like knowing where Robbie is because I am responsible for being the family covering and I always let the family know where I am and if I am going to be later than expected.

When it comes to adventure, part of whole point is that it is not “managed” with the possibility of untold mystery around the next corner and that is simply not possible if the route is preplanned. I am not saying that the other dad was wrong, he is like most men who want to stick with what they know works, that bad of well used talents, gifts and coping skills. That is a predictable way to live and as long as al your problems are smaller than your skills you have nothing to worry about – reality check… If today’s problems are larger than your skills just wait. Life will sooner or later drop something on you that you can’t handle on your own that is where faith comes in and like anything if you don’t use it you lose it. I am not saying you can lose your faith or salvation, but if you never go to the gym you can’t just walk in and bench press 400lbs.

I think that men should take small adventures to “exercise” faith in small ways and get used to living a less managed life so you can enjoy a more vital relationship with God. Just like the weights if we do not have regular times with God where you are outside of you ability to manage life it will be very hard to trust Him or even recognize Him when things go wrong.

So Robbie and I don’t know where I am going when I leave for a ride and my marriage, life and walk with God are the better for it so yes I believe you can be too careful.