The Bike Helmet

Remember when you were little and got something new?
It was so special.
It was carried with you every minute of the day.
It was even put in your bed at night.

Children latch on to things.
Security?
Comfort?
Sense of ownership?

We adults are no different.
However, we have a sense of propriety that demands moderation.
We cannot carry that new tool from the garage with us on our errands.
We cannot bring the new standing mixer on the kitchen counter with us to the grocery store.

My oldest grandson showed me this is true in the cutest way.
He is almost two-and a half-years-old.
Now that the weather is nicer, he can finally ride his scooter.
Now that the weather is nicer, he can finally ride his new bike.

My son-in-love sent a picture on the weekend.
My grandson was with his two older sisters at a park near their home.
They were all on their bikes.
My grandson was sitting on his bike with a look of confidence.

He was posed in such a way, with his foot on the pedals, that made me do a double take.
When did he grow up into this boy who loves everything outdoors?
When did he grow enough that his feet comfortably fit the pedals?
Then I noticed the helmet.

A blue bike helmet was on his head.
There was no design on the helmet.
It was simply blue.
It was a color he loved.

We didn’t receive any videos from their daddy, but I could imagine.
I could see them in my mind’s eye, riding around the paved section of the park.
I could see him feeling so grown up as he pedaled around and around.
I could see him in his helmet.

The helmet.
It never leaves his head.
It probably will, eventually, but for now it is his prized possession.
A rite of passage; a symbol of the fact that he is a big boy now.

A picture came yesterday of my daughter and her children.
They were eating dinner on their patio, all seated around the table.
My littlest grandson was in his walker.
There in the foreground was my grandson, wearing his helmet.

It made me laugh.
He was sitting, ready to take a bit of his hamburger, with the blue helmet on his head.
It was perfectly fine with him.
Why wouldn’t he wear his helmet to dinner?

I am sure, this phase will pass.
As the summer months get hotter, a heavy bike helmet will not be part of his attire.
But for now, it is a part of his clothing.
For now, it is with him wherever he goes.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 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. (Ephesians 6:10-17)

We have a helmet; it is part of the armor God gave us.
The helmet of salvation is a vital piece of our armor.
God knows that a battle is waged in our minds.
The helmet is a piece of armor that both protects and identifies.

Wearing the helmet of salvation, we are identified with the One to whom we belong.
Wearing the helmet of salvation, we are protected from uncertainty.
We know what Jesus accomplished through His death and resurrection on the cross.
The helmet protects us from the lies of the enemy and reassures us of our standing with Christ.

My grandson is simply wearing his blue bike helmet because he loves it so much.
I want to wear my helmet of salvation for the same reason.
I love that it identifies me as belonging to His side.
I love that it protects me from the lies the enemy, assuring me of my salvation.

Protection and Identification.
A helmet is a wonderful thing.