Last weekend, it was GORGEOUS outside, so Mike and I took the motorcycle out for a ride. We needed to return a movie we had rented, so we both jumped on the bike and headed to the store. While riding to the store, we passed at least 4 other motorcycles (did I mention it was GORGEOUS outside and PERFECT riding weather?) After the third one passed us, I realized they all had waved to Mike and I as we passed one another. And sure enough, after the 4th one came near, they waved too.
That got me thinking - why are these perfect strangers waving to us? Is it the commonality of the motorcycle? "Hey - that guy is cool just because he rides a bike, so I'm going to wave." I don't wave to someone I see driving a Ford Escape down the road, just because I drive one too. (Although, I have to admit, driving a motorcycle is a bit "cooler" than driving a Ford Escape...) I called upon my good friend, Google, and did a little searching. Much to my surprise, I found an article that talks in depth about "The Secret Motorcycle Wave." Who knew?!?!
So here's my question - why does it take something like a motorcycle for us to wave to one another? As Christians, aren't we supposed to show Christ's love to others - motorcycle or not? That doesn't mean we have to go and give them everything we have, but something as simple as a wave can make someone's day. It made mine four times!
This morning as I was stopping at Starbucks (I had an empty bag the coffee grounds comes in from the store - if you take it to Starbucks, you get a FREE coffee...) there was a gentleman standing at the end of the line who was older, but quite dapper. There was also another gentleman who was next to me in line. He was saying hello to EVERYONE in Starbucks, including the barista behind the counter who was proudly celebrating her birthday. After a few minutes, the gentleman in line next to me said to the older, but quite dapper gentleman at the end of the line, "Mr. Hall - I've got your coffee taken care of for you this morning. No need to worry about it. Happy Birthday." Mr. Hall replied with a sweet smile. When I got to the end of the line and was adding my sugar to my FREE coffee, I told Mr. Hall "Happy Birthday!" - something i normally wouldn't do to a complete stranger, until I noticed the wave of motorcyclists. His response made my morning. Mr. Hall replied, "Why thank you young lady, but know, you only have ONE birthday - the rest are just anniversaries of your birth." I smiled back at him, and as I was walking out the door, I responded "Mr. Hall - Happy Anniversary of your birth!"
Matthew 25:40 says, "...Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, event the least of them, you did it to Me."
Next time you're out driving around, wave to a complete stranger. You may get some weird looks back, or you could get a wave back. But try it. See if it makes your day like those 4 other motorcyclists and Mr. Hall made mine. After all, ".... they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love, and they'll know we are Christians by our love."
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