Mama Springer is big. She is fat and old school. She can get seriously hot. She is low to the ground with a big rear. I love Mama Springer. I should clarify that Mama Springer is a Harley Davidson motorcycle. She has the biggest motor that Harley makes. Everything about her fits the 125 cubic inches (1800 cc’s), 125 foot-pounds of torque, and a street belief of 125 horsepower.
For most, the sight of the Harley is enough. They admire it from a discreet distance. A few want to sit on it. With this select group, there is a smaller number that want to take a ride.
In this setting, a friend’s bold request caught me off guard. “Can I take it for a ride?”
Before I share my answer, let me give you a bit of context. He has not ridden a motorcycle in years. The largest motorcycle he has written was likely a tenth of the size and a fifth of the weight. He does not have a current license. He has not taken any classes on how to ride. To cap things off, he has no insurance for a motor vehicle.
“The answer, now and in the future will be the same. No.”
“I will be safe.”
“Which part of no do you not understand? I have no issue with someone riding Mama Springer. I am worried about you and your safety. For your sake, the answer will always be a firm no. Do not even imagine another answer.”
It is hard to imagine how one could make the request. Is it courageous boldness or stupidity personified? Even as I reflected on the scene, I read David’s request of God. “Go ahead, examine me from inside out, surprise me in the middle of the night – You’ll find I’m just what I say I am. My words don’t run loose.” (Psalm 17.3)
Is he crazy or brilliantly insightful? With Mama Springer, the request was crazy. With David, it could be courageous. I wonder if I am willing to be so bold.
