The Bike Ride

Aum Sairam

When I met Sri Sai, life became rather like a bike ride. It was a tandem bike; I rode in the front and steered, and Sai was in the rear seat, helping to pedal.

I don't remember just when it happened, but Sri Sai suggested we change places. Life hasn't been the same since. Sri Sai makes the ride so exciting!

When I had control, I knew the way. It was safe and predictable, but rather boring always the shortest distance between two points. But when Sri Sai got in the captain's seat, He knew delightful "long cuts," up mountain roads and down again at breakneck speeds. It was all I could do to hold on!

I didn't want to question His judgment, but once I couldn't help myself. "Don't You think we should slow down just a little? I'm scared." He turned and smiled and touched my hand and said, "It's okay. Pedal."

Sometimes I got worried and anxious and asked, "Where are You taking me?"

"It's a surprise," He would say with a laugh. Gradually I learned to trust. I forgot my boring life and entered the adventure.

He took me to meet people with gifts that I needed--gifts of love, healing, acceptance, joy. They gave me their gifts to take on my journey—our journey, my Lord's and mine--and we were off again. He said, "Give the gifts away." So I did, to other people we met. But the strangest thing happened. I found that the more of those things I gave away, the more I had for myself to give to people we met along the way. And still our load was light.

At first I didn't trust Sri Sai to be in control of my life. I thought He would wreck it. But He knows the bike's capabilities and limits, and all sorts of tricks. He knows how to take sharp corners at high speeds, make the bike "jump" to clear rocks in our way, and He can even make it fly when the road disappears beneath us.

I am learning to not worry or want to get back in control, but just to relax and enjoy the view, the cool breeze on my face, and the delightful company of my constant companion, Sri Sai.

I still get tired sometimes because it is a long, hard ride, but Sri Sai just smiles and says, "Pedal."

Allah Malik