Phil Pickle Dill: 13 mile bike ride with the brakes on! Dec 7, 2020

It is December everyone! Time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. He is the reason for the season. He is the greatest gift we could ever receive this year and every year to come. His sacrifice is infinite.

Elder Decker and I had bikes this week! We car share with the language Elders in Clarksville. So we had an appointment with a less active Sister in Lamar which is five miles of rolling hills away. In a car, no sweat. On a bike, more difficult. On a bike with brakes that are rubbing against the tire, very very difficult. My situation on this 10 mile round trip was the latter. I did not know how Elder Decker could be so far in front of me. I was peddling as hard has I could but my bike just had no glide and I was not getting anywhere. The hills did not make it any easier. I was sore and tired. To make matters worse I had a vest, and a jacket on along with a bulky shoulder bag. To say the least I felt pretty burdened.

But as a was riding up a hill by myself (elder Decker was way ahead of me) a few songs popped into my head. "I'm Trying to be like Jesus" first came to mind. Jesus Christ carried the heaviest burden of all. He carried the sins of the world not a small shoulder bag. Than, "The Spirit of God." The pioneers had to cross mountains in snow and ice on foot, not hills in beautiful weather with a bike. Finally, "A Poor Wafaring man of Grief." Joseph Smith died for the message of the Gospel shortly after this hymn was sung. Surely I could deliver the message of the Gospel to this dear sister in Lamar. All in all, I was able to take courage and strength from these songs and I endured to the appointment. (The other three miles was to the church after our appointment. A member at the church was able to identify the brake that was rubbing and causing our great problem)

Now, I am not comparing my biking trial to the handcart companies, Joseph Smith's martyrdom, or Jesus Christs Atonement because nothing is greater than those in magnitude to suffering, but I am saying I was able to draw strength from their examples. I was able to push myself to the limit because they pushed themselves to the limit.

So when you are feeling down or that you can't go on, remember Jesus Christ felt that. He asked His burden to be taken from Him as well. But Jesus found strength in His love for YOU. He bled for YOU. He died for YOU. So this Christmas season, take five minutes to ponder about His sacrifice. He gave us the greatest gift: the Atonement.

I love you all, Elder Spencer

Pictures:

Slow Cooker Breakfast Cassrole