#350.1 – “Joshua and the New Bike, Part One”

“And David said to his son Solomon, Be strong and of a good heart and do your work; have no fear and do not be troubled, for the Lord God, my God, is with you; he will not give you up, and his face will not be turned away from you...” - 1 Chronicles 28:20
Joshua had a birthday July 24, and one of the several gifts he got was a new bicycle from his Maw Maw and Paw Paw. This was a very helpful present because, unlike the other bicycles we had at the house, this one came with training wheels. You see, Joshua is just now learning to ride a bike for himself, and he has not yet felt comfortable attempting it on his own. His mother has tried several times to work with him - holding onto his seat while he pedaled – but that has not helped him gain any confidence at all. But the training wheels have made all the difference. They have given him the support he needed to be willing to ride on his own… and ride he has. He has spent no telling how many hours on that thing since he got it – riding it in our driveway, and in his Grammie and Grandpa’s driveway.
Sometimes we need the support and confidence of something outside of us to help us take action that we know all along is best. The Holy Spirit is that for us who know Jesus as Savior and Lord. He gives us the encouragement we so often need to step out in faith and obey the Father.
Another voice of support comes from our brothers and sisters in Christ. We can share in the encouraging of one who is need of it with just a simple word. Oh the power of a well-spoken word! May we seek to be that kind of encourager to those around us. And may we pray for the Holy Spirit to give strength and courage to them.

Daniel