More Than A Patch
In February 2015, it was official. I was patched with the colors of the Kingdom Knights Motorcycle Ministry. I donned those colors with full understanding of the respect, honor and service that comes with being a Knight.
From the moment those colors were placed upon my back, I tried to live up to all that is expected of me and from me. Hours on 2s in 100 degree heat, storms with lightning, and cold chills to reach my core; ministering when needed, praying always, and turning the other cheek when everything in my body wanted to fight, I always tried to remember the name I carry with me - Kingdom Knights. We are bikers for Christ.
After a while though, it became more and more routine. Grab the vest, hop on the bike and ride. Sleep, wake, ride, and repeat. Life happens, seasons change, and soon enough long periods of time elapse and I don’t even realize I haven’t worn or even looked to take my vest out of the closet. So the other day, I figured…there’s no better time than the present and I grabbed the scissors. Snip…snip…snip. I began cutting the strings the held the patch to my vest and the patch began to lift up off the leather.
Let me stop here before the rumor train takes off from Gossip Station. I recently purchased a new vest and decided to take on the tedious task of transferring the patches from the old vest to the new one myself.
AS I WAS SAYING…
In my stomach, I felt a sinking feeling as I continued removing the patch. Once it was completely detached, I held it in my hands and looked it over. I remembered the day I earned it. I was nervous, excited, humbled, and even in shock a little. I wanted more than anything to make them proud of me. I wanted to prove to them and to myself that they hadn’t made a mistake. I wanted to show myself that I could represent a house that stood for service in the community while growing within myself. I wanted to live up to their esteem while continuing to build my own.
Squire Out…
I held the patch in my hands and thought about how much those still bright colors meant to me. I laughed a little at just how bright they were because our vice president would always say the bright colors meant new rider. I may not have traveled the roads he and the other 48-state crew members have, but I’ve held my own on a mile or two.
I remembered seeing skylines with them that I had never seen before. I remembered taking roads alone that I would have never taken had I not gone on similar roads with them in the past. I remembered feeling safe simply because of the company I kept with them.
With those memories flooding my mind, I hurriedly attached the patch to my new vest. I couldn’t stand not having my vest put back together any longer. I thought, “What if I’m called to ride at this very moment…I wouldn’t be able to go without my colors!”
Once all the patches were sewn on the new vest, I looked over the old one inspecting all the wear and tear which were like souvenirs of the miles traveled. But it was the back of the vest, the area covered by my colors that intrigued me the most.
Where my patch used to sit was the indentation of the words KINGDOM KNIGHTS. I could still see and feel the letters. I smiled. I knew then that the patch didn’t only transfer to the leather but it also transformed me into a better biker and person. Christ redeemed me. Christ restored me. Christ saved me. Through the Kingdom Knights, Christ transformed me. The energy of the KKMM lives in me because of their love, service, and dedication. All I can do is pray I equally live in them.
I AM A KINGDOM KNIGHT.
TRIED and TRUE. PATCHED….PERIOD
#KK4L