Bike Riding and a Prayer Request

My soul is heavy and all my normal morning routines have been halted for prayer. It’s not a major life burden, but when your child hurts you hurt.

My husband and son have been bonding over morning bike rides down the trail. It’s something my son has needed for a long time. He’s the one in the family that usually get’s stiffled and pushed aside due to irritating behaviors and a lack of self control. I try to be sensitive to him, but it’s hard when he whines and all my maternal compassions goes out the window.

This morning he came in crying and whining. For some reason I didn’t get irritated. I pushed away from the computer and asked him what was wrong. It seems he crashed on his bike on the trail…into a man on a bike.

I can’t remember my exact first thoughts, but they were for the man. Obviously my son was okay, and after I found that out he told me he was mad at his dad for telling him to “stop crying and suck it up.” I think my son was more hurt of his dad’s lack of compassion than anything else. After a few more inquires and talking to my husband, I found out the rest of the story.

On the bike trail, my son took a turn too wide under the bridge and crashed into a man in his 60s. No one had a cell phone (note to joggers and bikers…carry a cell phone) and both were hurt. My husband was concerned for the man and attended to him. My son felt slighted and that his finger was really busted. After fixing the bikes so they could be rode or moved they had to go there separate ways. My husband felt bad for the old man (and so do I, so please say a prayer for him, I can’t stop thinking about him) but no one was around and he needed to get my son home, my husband feared he might have broken his wrists and they were a mile from home.  Thus the “suck it up” comment so he could get my son home quickly. So he reluctantly let the man ride away. At least there’s comfort in that he was able to ride away.

So now my son is in pain, pysically and emotionally, saying he’ll never go bike riding again. What started out as a wonderful time between my husband and son has been ripped from them. I’m angry at the enemy and sad for my son, hoping that when the emotions settle down, he’ll change his mind. But I’m sure he’s feeling guilt from the entire event which could have been avoided if he was thinking clearly. But he’s at that age.

Please say a prayer for all involved, and me. I’m finding it hard to concentrate on anything else and I have two boys coming over today for a writing lesson! Thanks…