Sometimes you just happen to be in the right place at the right time.
My husband and I just got back from taking a bike ride. We headed south from our house, past the golf course, and then back up the long hill next to the interstate.
It is the perfect fall day: Right now the bright gold leaves dance against a backdrop of azure blue sky. As we rode, the sun warmed my legs, but under my helmet my head felt cool as sweat collected on my forehead. As soon as we hit the biking trail that parallels the highway, I heard a loud roar and looked back over my shoulder. For the next 20 minutes, several thousand bikers rode by us at a speed of about 15 miles per hour.
I completely forgot about my lack of oxygen and aching legs as I watched chrome and black stream past me. People waved and smiled – we waved back. The loud rumble from 2000 bikes beat through my chest. Flags and fringe, bandanas and babes, tattoos and tears…all were here. People stood on the overpasses waving t-shirts; cars pulled over to watch. All this in honor of Emily Keyes (click here to read more).
On September 27th, 2006 a gunman entered Platte Canyon High School, held 7 girls hostage, and ultimately killed Emily. During the time she was held hostage, Emily sent her family text messages on her cell phone: “I love u guys” and “I love u guys, k?”
The “I Love U Guys” Foundation was established to restore and protect the joy of youth through educational programs and positive actions through educational programs and positive actions via families, schools, and community.
The thoughts that entered my mind went something like this:
“Wow, how cool that so many different kinds of people would gather for one purpose” and “Emily’s parents must feel so touched that people still choose to remember their daughter and raise money in her name.”
But mostly, I thought of this, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” (Hebrews 10:24)
Even though we were a hundred feet from the highway, and we were on bicycles, we were carried up the hill by the power of that group spurring us on. It was the perfect example of why people need each other. Why Emily’s family needs bikers. Why Christians need to be a part of a worshiping body. Why people in general need to be able to reach out to others for help.