National Motorcycle Examiner, Patty Davis, has a continuing series of stories profiling women in motorcycling. Like her, I will profile local women who have gained a great love for motorcycling, and who make a difference in the motorcycle community each day. Come back often to see the profiles of ladies who ride, and live right here in the Shreveport area. And, visit Patty's page to see profiles of women across the United States, and even Canada.
"The Ride of a Lifetime…
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
In April 2005, I bought my first Harley-Davidson motorcycle, a Softail Deluxe, black and white, chrome spoke wheels, very similar in style to the 1947 Harley- Davidson that my Daddy rode before I was born. I had ridden while in college -- both a street bike and dirt bike -- but let’s face it, it had been 30 years since those days of just “hop on and ride for the fun of it.”
The nostalgia overcame me, and I saddled up for the Rider’s Edge Course and finished as the “most improved” student in my class. You can only imagine how I must have started out! First day, I went down on my “student” bike.
Since then I have learned a lot about riding (although most certainly not nearly enough), about faith, about people who ride and those who don’t, but wish they did! Never in my wildest dreams did I realize at the time that God had a plan for me to ride! But He did!
A year later, with wildness in my heart and a passion to ride with trusted friends, I organized a group of riders called R.O.C.K. (Riders Of Christ’s Kingdom) Motorcycle Ministry with the blessings of my church!
We started out with 15 riders in July, 2006 and to date, our group has grown to more than 130 people - some who ride often and some who ride every now and then, some who don’t even own a bike but want to belong to our group! It doesn’t matter what kind of bike a person rides, our goal is to share our enthusiasm for motorcycling as we develop meaningful relationships with one another and with folks from all walks of life! We share what we know, we learn from each other, we share prayer requests, lend a helping hand when needed, and fabricate exciting biker stories (some believable and some not so) every time we are together.
My motorcycle experiences have led me to fully rely on God, fully trusting Him in everything! There’s always an interesting story, a special person, and a good friend … just down the next road or right around the corner! God always opens doors for sharing our faith. I know that someone somewhere is watching and I want my life and my actions to point to Christ in all that I do and say! It’s the ride of a lifetime!
This is living truth that God will work out His good purposes through our lives whenever and wherever we are and with whatever we have! God will ultimately gift us with the necessary resources that are required for His service! Our faithfulness and obedience are all that He asks of us!
In July 2009, I bought a new bike, a 2009 Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic CVO (Custom Vehicle Operations). The day I bought it, before the first ride, I mounted that iron steed and with the motor rumbling, I lifted my head and heart to God – dedicating the bike and my life for His service and His glory! What a blessing! Watch for my license plate ROCK MM … To God Be the Glory …
We are Riders Of Christ’s Kingdom Motorcycle Ministry!
I’ve always dreamed of riding my bike to Colorado. So in June of 2011, five of my riding buddies and I rode from Louisiana to Colorado to ride the Rockies! Oh, what a trip! It was beautiful weather, mid-40’s to mid-70’s, gorgeous blue skies, incredible views, and the best roads I’ve ever ridden! Just to name a few, we rode to Estes Park, then Trail Ridge through Rocky Mountain National Park, on to Independence Pass, Aspen, Crested Butte, Hwy 550 from Durango to Montrose, across Red Mountain Pass through Ouray - the Million Dollar Highway, the Black Canyon, Royal Gorge, Skyline Drive in Canon City, and The Canyonlands and The Arches in Utah… 3,400 miles in 9 days.
During the trip, I had a significant life-changing experience … a near head-on collision while passing on a 2-lane stretch of Hwy 550 – the only straight-a-way before entering the twisties through Ouray. It was the 4th of July weekend, so lots of traffic on the road – campers, motorcycles, cars, trucks and trailers. I pulled out to pass in a safe passing zone on this straight-a-way with no on-coming traffic in sight as far as I could see … there were three campers and two cars all traveling along very slowly in a group that I would need to pass before there was an opening in the lane for me to scoot into. Just as I got even with the last camper I was trying to pass, I was approaching a bend in the road and attempted to pull back over into my lane, when I realized a Dodge pick-up truck was fast approaching me head-on. The gap had closed between two campers and I could not get back into my lane of traffic. Closer and closer the on-coming pick-up truck came and I moved as close to the center line as possible. I must have been mere inches away from the camper (who was blowing his horn at me, would not let me in, nor move over to the shoulder of road).
I recall having a supernatural calmness surrounding me and I was never afraid, nor did I ever think my life was about to end, or that I would crash. Graciously, the on-coming truck slowed down, pulled over to the shoulder of the road, allowing me to pass safely through, what seemed like the eye of a needle. I waved to say ‘thank you’ to the blonde-haired, blue eyed man in the Dodge pick-up! Yes, that’s how close we were to one another! Then, within seconds, my lane opened up just enough for me to slip in front of the camper I had been trying to pass. As I rode along for a few minutes, it became very apparent to me that my heart was beating normally, that I was not experiencing an adrenalin rush, and that I felt at peace and very calm. In fact, it was surreal! I remember thinking … Am I alive? Am I dead? Have I died and gone to Heaven? Then I shouted out … Thank you, LORD! Carrie Underwood’s song, “Jesus, take the wheel”, had real meaning for me at that very moment. I had, in fact, just experienced a miracle!
Susie Frank Parker Holton is the youngest of 4 girls and is named after her Daddy, Frank Parker. She is married to Don Holton and they have one son, Barry. Their family attends First Baptist Church Shreveport, where Susie is an ordained Deacon, the Coordinator of R.O.C.K. Motorcycle Ministry, and is currently serving as the Interim Church Administrator."
____________________________
Contact Mary, a.k.a. "Pinky" at maric12@gmail.com
Comments