No Longer Riding Bikes on Friday Nights

I made a quick pitstop inside to drop off the eggs after gathering them during evening chores. It was around the same time I took these scenic shots on the farm.

As I entered, I heard Alexa playing a familiar county tune because I asked her to play some cozy country songs before I went outside.

Besides that, the house was unusually quiet, although one of our teens was upstairs reading her book.

I yelled upstairs: “hey—do remember when you guys used to like to ride your bikes together on Friday nights?”

She shouted back…”yea.”

I waited a few seconds and then replied: “I miss those days” as I headed back outside.

And just like that, it hit me like a wave as I walked toward the barn where my favorite farm guy was working on his new wood stove. I felt all kinds of grief in those 100 or so steps.

I do. I miss the days when the kids were young—all of them.

As my older boys were nearing their young adult lives, I still had little one’s riding bikes and needing an 8pm bedtime so I didn’t have time to fully process the loss of days gone by like I am in this season.

Two were off to the high school football game with friends, and the other at work, our Friday nights look so different, and my heart feels it more deeply sometimes.

““There should be a consistency that runs through us all. For Jesus doesn’t change—yesterday, today, tomorrow, he’s always totally himself.””

— Hebrews 13:8 MSG

This is just how life was intended to go. We’re supposed to experience repeated changes so that we look to Jesus to help us prepare for what’s next.

I find such comfort knowing that Jesus never changes. Maybe it’s so that He can lead us through ours more securely.

 I’d hate to end my thoughts in a sad and sappy way, so I won’t.

Mixed in with all the good ole’ memories of the past are special new ones still being made.

I know I’ll look back on this season and be hit with another wave. That’s life. Until then, I’ll do my best to receive all that’s still before us in 2026.