Captain Walter M. Schirra, aka Wally, was a customer of mine at Land Rover. He liked to come in and bench race with us, sometimes hanging out for hours between customers. He was always Wally to me, and I always found it strange he never told any space stories. He always referred to himself as a test pilot. After he would leave we would joke about places we had been, always ending with "ok, all those who have been to the moon, raise your hand," and of course in our joking Wally always won. A neat Guy, perhaps the ultimate USA traveler, as even though he went to the moon, he never left the USA. In all the pictures the flag is prominent. I wished I had asked him how it felt to travel millions of miles, and never leave the country. How many other countries can claim a planet of their own? The British may have bragged the sun never set on their empire, theirs was nothing compared to Wally's!
I love travelling the USA, by motorcycle. And once a trip is planned, the countdown till I leave is started. I actually have started in the 340 day range, and as it gets closer start to annoy people. Only 28 days to go, then 20, then 10. Then next Friday. The anticipation can be almost as much fun as the trip-almost, but nowhere near. In the lunch room one day, a wise guy tired of hearing my countdown, blurts out, "yeah, well it's only 28 days until you return." And I wondered if I hit him, would I be out in time to leave. It upset my anticipation. This different perspective from a guy who never vacates on vacation. Stays home and does "honey do's", a true vacation expert. And it makes me think sometimes that the sucker was right. But I never count the days till it ends, only till it starts. Perspective-don't listen to losers.
My recent accident has really put me down-no riding. And I have between 2-4 months before I will heal-an eternity of riding. It may mean February, and no I am not counting the days. I am praying God will shorten them, I want to heal, better yet I want to ride, and travel. And it can be a dangerous thing to give an active mind like mine too much time, it travels on its own. And thinks about many things-on its own. I am so appreciative of all the cards, calls, visits, and prayers. But like in my visits, after a week or so they taper off. And I find myself alone, where before I was overwhelmed. So I try to enforce a 14 day rule on myself. After births, deaths, accidents, etc. I try to follow up in two weeks. When things have settled down, and all returns to normal, whatever that may be. And I find that they can mean more than the rapid first response. Someone still remembers, and cares! An example set by Jesus, after His death. He came back to the apostles, and 500 others to show He cared-love shown via resurrection. And He never leaves us alone now, as I can attest to. He continues to visit, I find it fascinating the more I need Him, how His schedule changes to meet mine. Now if I could only get it right, and change my schedule to meet His! Just a thought for all us errant brothers and sisters who wonder, because we wandered, from Jesus. But I find He is always right there, and unlike Wally's excursion to the moon, the travel time is much shorter.
While laying in bed sleepless because of the pain in my knees, God took me back to an old album called "It's a Beautiful Day." The name of the group and album. Recorded in 1972, and with only FM play-remember when FM was young and the DJs would play whole songs, and whole albums-this was one. Their hit was White Bird, but he took me to side two, to Time is.... And reminded me that "time is too short for those who laugh." And I find that despite circumstances, I still have plenty to laugh about-even more if being laughed at is included. But the verse He impressed me with was "for those who really love, time is eternal..." And reminded me of my trip to earth.
We aren't from here, our home is heaven. And where we take 2-3 week vacations here, He has given us a sabbatical on earth of 70 years on average. And how much I miss home. And even though I love being on the road, heaven still calls. And like the call of the highway, someday it will be answered. I don't know when, or I'd start my countdown. God is not a fortune teller, but He knows. All I can be sure of is I am closer to heaven today than I was yesterday, but farther away than I will be tomorrow. So until I go home, I will continue to enjoy life, in Christ. Plan my trips, and also my recovery. I already have been sitting on motorcycles, and can ride if I have too. Riding is right up there with breathing, eating, and morning constitutionals. Knowing that someday I will go home. And even though my USA if not quite as big as Wally's, there is still much I want to see. Pray that Theresa and I continue to travel until our final trip home.
And just to remind me I will someday get to heaven, God reminded me of the old Marshall Tucker song, "Heard it in a Love Song." And the words "heard it in love song, can't be wrong..." Jesus, God's love song to us. A promise from God. Until it is your time to go, enjoy life in Christ. Read His book, don't wait for the movie. Bet you didn't know Jesus was into rock and roll! Simply put, He is the rock, and my name is on the role!
Everyone going to heaven-raise your hand! Good, show it even if you take it off the handlebars for a second or two. Bikers-wave to all your fellow riders-a wave to remind them that you are going to heaven, and when bench racing, don't forget to share about your upcoming trip. Someday soon, going with Him, someday soon. Sorry Miss Collins, just had to throw that in.
love with compassion,
Mike
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