When I was a boy I used to love to go bike riding. There was a Summer 4-H camp full of paved roadways across the road from my home. During the Spring and Fall, this camp was mainly empty and the roadways were clear for me and my bike. I would ride my old, banana-seat, foot-brake bicycle for hours. The camp grounds had a lot of steep hills that were tough to get up. Often I would have to climb off and push my bike up them. The downhill rides, however, made it all worthwhile. I felt like I was flying, and I barely had to pedal at all. It was pure fun, pure delight, pure joy, and pure happiness. I laughed all the way with the wind in my face, my heart in my throat, and my soul in Heaven.
Choosing love, joy, and oneness with God each day often reminds me of those childhood bike rides. It can take a bit of work to get going at first. You can even feel like you are pushing your bike up a steep hill full of problems, work, and worldly concerns. Once you get going, however, you find that the ride becomes easier and easier. Soon you feel like you are flying along without even having to pedal at all. Soon you feel wind blowing in your face, joy filling up your heart, and love radiating from your soul. You find yourself laughing more, smiling more, and singing more. You find yourself sharing more, giving more, and helping more. You find yourself loving others, spreading joy, and living the way that God meant for you to live. You find yourself realizing that God is love, that life is joy, and that we are all God's children.

If you choose, then each day of your life can become a fantastic ride of love and joy that takes you a little further along the road to Heaven. The longer you ride, too, the less steep the hills will become. The longer you ride the faster and smoother you will go. The longer you ride the more you will feel God pedaling right along beside you and smiling all the way. Enjoy the ride.