Dress for the wreck

 I've become a biker chick.  Ok, well maybe I'm not quite there yet, but I am in the process.  This is what happens when your fiancé gets the motorcycle of his dreams.  Me, the girl who describes any vehicle primarily by what color it is (forget make or model!) is now browsing the web for motorcycle parts and taking note of every cyclist on the road!  I just spent my afternoon tracking down someone from Craig's List, driving to their house, and trying on a motorcycle jacket and helmet (and yes, they both fit, and yes, they are both pink, and yes, I am now the proud owner!). 

This whole motorcycle thing is quite the learning experience.  Despite Ivan's attempts to teach me the details of different kinds of bikes and all their amazing gadgets and what-not, all I can really tell you is that he has a red motorcycle and it's big and it can go fast.  He told me to invest in a good, "real" jacket so we can go off riding into the sunset (ok, he didn't really say the "going off into the sunset" bit, but that's what I heard in my head).  I got into a conversation with a woman who rides and she told me "dress for the wreck".  In other words, it's not about the fashion statement, it's about safety!  Get something that will protect in the case of a fall/accident.  Sure, all those black leather jackets with the flirty fringe hanging off the arms look cool and legit, but at night they are going to blend right into the darkness and be a potential hazard.  For fun, I looked up "women's motorcycle jacket" on pintrest and a whole bunch of cute, slim jackets popped up, modeled by equally stunning women.  Cute.  Very cute.  But not so great if you go flying off the bike.  The jacket I just purchased is thick, with huge shoulder and elbow pads.  It also looks like I'm paying homage to the hunchback of Notre Dame because of the extra padding on the back.  It's not quite as glamorous as those models in their cute, fashionable jackets.  But I am well protected.  I hope I never experience a crash or an accident with the motorcycle, but it's nice to feel like I am better prepared if I do.  Let's face it, there are some crazy people on the roads and there are things that are beyond our control so it's a good idea to "dress for the wreck" and be ready if something does happen because most likely we're not going to get a memo telling us, "Today, there's going to be a wreck, put on that padded jacket!"
Actually, God does tell us to "dress for the wreck".   
     Ephesians 6:13-18 "Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people."
I'm reminded by these verses to prepare.  I'm not supposed to wait until trouble comes and hard times hit to start putting to use the armor which God has provided for me.  I am to put it on every day so that I am ready!  Maybe it feels bulky and less "stylish" but if I am clothed in the armor of God, I will be able to stand firm!  Not only stand firm, but extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one!  That sounds pretty "biker chick" to me!