CMA HeartBeat June 2020 | Page 27

Article Continued (continued from page 08) help from my family or Synagogue. In college, I met the woman who would become my wife. It was love at first sight, even though my son doesn’t believe in such a thing. Married now for 40 amazing years, and with two wonderful sons (and two wonderful daughters-in-law), both my wife and I (she was raised as a Catholic) were looked upon as heretics of a sort (me, far more so than her) for getting married in a Catholic church, across religious battle lines. It was at my first real professional job that I met a coworker who became a great friend. We would often have lunch together and I would notice that he paused before taking that first bite of his egg salad sandwich “Why are you pausing before you eat?” I would ask. “Giving thanks,” he said. “To who, for what?” I joked. “To God, for my food,” was his answer. So, we got to talking about evolution, the big bang, cannibals on native islands, and every other rabbit hole I could run to. Finally, firmly and very uncharacteristically, he told me that I had a decision to make about my eternity. Where would I go if I died that night? It shook me. I hurriedly finished my lunch and went back to my desk. I could not concentrate on my work. After two hours of that, I went over to my friend’s desk. He looked up at me, turned from his work and smiled. I told him that I couldn’t work, that I felt terrible. He smiled bigger. He knew what my turmoil meant for my eternity. I had received Christ. It was a year or so later that my wife accepted Christ as her personal Savior. After telling her of a bad dream I had of us watching a nuclear war unfolding in front of us, she said “you don’t have to worry about me anymore”. Naturally, after being blessed with two sons (four years apart), we knew, as for me and our house, we would follow the Lord. Steve talked about how we both were interested in anything with a motor, cars, go-karts, model cars and airplanes, and motorcycles. He didn’t mention how we came to CMA. After meeting CMA folks at a booth at a motorcycle show, I was intrigued. Steve joined CMA, and later I joined, wanting to be part of a group of Christians who rode, rather than a bunch of riders who were Christian. The emphasis on the ministry of CMA, of reaching a group of folks that maybe we only can reach, drew me. Talking to some really big dude, who looks like he could tear my arm off and beat me over the head with it, wasn’t nearly as scary once we connected about our two wheels. Those same big dudes (little dudes too), ask for prayer for their Moms, their kids, themselves. It has been a joy and a privilege to be selected and used by God in this way. It is an even greater joy to have a son with which to share it so closely. I love you, Steve! CMA Stephen is chaplain of Passion Riders #1144 in Carrollton, Texas. Larry is chaplain of Light House Riders #923 in Mount Laurel, New Jersey. 27⎪JUNE 2020⎪www.cmausa.org