God's Preparation

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I have never felt more free than on my bicycle. I wasn’t like normal girls. I didn’t have any sisters. In grade school, I hung around with the boys in the neighborhood and we went biking on the dirt paths through the orange groves. I loved it. I biked everyday.

I grew up in North Orange ​, CA and as I entered high school, I would take the path down the Santa Ana River to the beach. No one carried water with them in those days. It is a wonder we all survived. I would just buy some Diet Pepsi’s when I got to the beach and would soak up the sun all day.  Around 3:00, I would get on my bike and head back home. It was 46 miles round trip but I didn’t think too much about it. It was awesome.

I just got done riding my bicycle tonight. I found a great bike path that goes on forever that I can ride to from my place. It is wonderful.

I still ride the same mountain bike I got in 1994. My first ride was the Crystal Cove Loop, Laguna Beach. I was dating a guy who thought it would be funny to take me on the same trail that professional mountain bikers train for competitions on. It was an almost impossible ride for a first-time rider like me…a 14 mile loop up what seemed like 90 degree hills. I did it though. I rode the whole loop!

You would have thought I would have given up at that point. Nope. That ride is challenging even for the professional, so how hard can all the other trails be? Well, I spent years finding out.

I took my bike everywhere. I loved going to Mammoth Mountain and Big Bear and riding the ski runs with my bike going as fast down the hills as I could. What a rush!

Every morning before I went to work at Disney Studios, I would ride the fire trails in Eaton Canyon in Pasadena and would wave at the firemen on the way up the hills. It was my routine. It was a great way to stay in touch with nature and God as I was on my computer at work sometimes 12-14 hours a day.

I have camped in the middle of nowhere in search of the best mountain-biking trails. I once camped a whole week on a remote beach in San Filipe Mexico with no facilities around for miles. I learned how to live off the land and loved the adventure.

God prepares us all of our lives for our purpose. I am so grateful that He prepared me so well to survive out in the wilderness. If it hadn’t been for me learning everything about camping and surviving, I never would have survived being homeless after leaving my abusive marriage three years ago.

I camped in tents and campers in the mountains, beach camp sites and in the middle of nowhere. I cooked food on park grills and campfire pits. I wasn’t scared of the dark or any animals. God equipped me for my journey. He put me on that path for a purpose…so I could teach others that no matter what comes your way, God has equipped you with the knowledge and experience and resources to survive and thrive. You just need to trust Him. You just need to trust yourself again. God has you. You will be fine.

I would often recite this to remind me that I am never alone and either are you…

“The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.  He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.  Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.  You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.  Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever.” Psalms 23

Sonserae Leese

October 28, 2018