I sail down the road
wind at my back, pushing hard
there’s no turning back

by Kath

One of the things on my bucket list this summer was to ride bikes along a new-to-me bike path in Nebraska called Dark Island.  Bob and I arose one morning late in July with the rising of the sun to claim the day as our own.  The 50-minute car ride from our home was oh so worth it!

This gorgeous eight-mile path is a converted railroad corridor that incorporates all different aspects of Nebraska scenery such as lush farmland, marshland, the Platte River and even heavily wooded areas. The Dark Island Trail starts south of a small town called Central City and continues to an even smaller town called Marquette. The highlight of the path was the 1,072-foot long bridge that was initially built by the Republican Valley Railroad in the 1880’s.  It spans the sprawling Platte River south of Central City and offered numerous places to sit and enjoy the view.

Oh, how I have missed bike riding. Even when my children were small, I didn’t take them riding because dusty rides on our country road were just too great a risk for an allergic reaction.

But things have changed for the better.

Let me share with you some of the things we saw that morning.

Today, I am thanking God for the wide-open spaces He has set me on. Oh friend, it is not because I deserve to be here, but because of His great mercy.

Where are you on this path to spaciousness? Are you longing to breathe deeply the air of freedom? If you long for encouragement, drink in these scriptures. Hide these promises in your heart and wait to see what the Lord will do for you.

Psalm 31:8
You have not delivered me to the enemy; You have set my feet in the open.

Psalm 37:23
The steps of a man are ordered by the LORD, and He delights in his way.

Psalm 41:11
By this I know You delight in me, for my enemy does not triumph over me.

Psalm 66:12
You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but You brought us into abundance.

Psalm 118:5
In my distress I called to the LORD, and He answered and set me free.

One last thing, email me (shelleynoonan@hotmail.com) and let me know how to pray for you, my friend! It would be an honor.