I Connick the Terminator

Chapter 26: You know that is not good for you!

On another training ride with my friend Tim Maynard, we took a journey from West Mobile to Bayou La Batre. It took us two hours to get to this gas station, which was located at the intersection of Dauphin Island Parkway and Highway 188. Usually when I get somewhere after riding continuously, I have a coke and a power-aid. As usual, I stopped and went inside this old gas station, and placed my Coke and Power-Aide on the counter. The gas station attendant walked to the cash register from this room to my left. As this woman appeared, I could not help but notice that she was pushing about 300lbs, wearing a muscle shirt, and smoking a cigarette. I have nothing against anyone who weighs 300lbs, wears a muscle shirt and smokes cigarettes. When she approached the counter top she looked down to see my purchase of a Coke and a Power- Aide. She looked at me and said, "YOU KNOW THAT IS NOT GOOD FOR YOU."

I studied exercise science and sports medicine at Samford University, under Dr. James Angel. I failed an exam question that asked if you should drink Coke. It turns out that it is okay to drink coke after one hour of prolonged exercise. The contents of the drink replenish glycogen stores lost during that much exercise. Because I failed that question, I have always defended my consumption of Coke during training sessions.

When the gas station attendant made the accusation that the Coke was bad for me, I felt the need to defend myself once again. I told the woman the reason I was able to purchase this liquid as backed up by my professor of exercise science and sports medicine. I felt very good about myself as I exited the store.

Then it hit me! How could a woman that weighs 300lbs, wears a muscle shirt and smokes cigarettes warn me of the health risks involved with drinking a coke after two hours of prolonged exercise. I mean we averaged at least 20 miles per hour for two hours. HYPOCRISY! 

The woman could not see her own flaws, only the flaws of others. It is much easier to recognize issues that others have than your own. This reminds me of Luke 6:42 "How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,' when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."