no room left in the garage

My friend George on the corner spends more time cleaning and polishing his cars than I do. He has no motorcycles, but does have five cars, to which he just added a sixth. He tends to like Fords, but has an early 70's Chevy Nova in prime condition. He works local so they don't get many miles put on them, but they all look better than new. Any Saturday morning you can see one car getting the full treatment, then back in the garage or under a tarp in the driveway. Now collections are a personal thing, and mine would not interest many others. And some contain many vehicles, while others may be just one or two, limited by income, storage space, or a spouse who has other priorities on her list. But George's new car, a 1966 GTO, is rare according to him, for it only has a three speed manual on the floor. I remember those, some 47 years ago, and they were rare then. No one wanted a three speed, it was all about four on the floor, even three on the tree was more poetic than three on the? But his newest car sits under a cover, valuable to him. Which brings up its value, and the value of anything-it is worth what you pay for it. And now with another car, I'm sure it will get all the love and attention of his Fords and lone Chevy, but rare is maybe not a fair description. When the precursor to rare is because no one wanted one when new, it brings a whole new meaning to rare. Edsels, do you call them rare? How about the Pacer? A Gremlin? But beauty being in the eye of the beholder, George's car is valuable to him, and that is all that matters. How rare is that?
While wiping down my latest ride in the garage-it's raining out, I had the TV tuned in and caught a show about Paul Newman. Great actor, but few outside of Hollywood realize he was a pretty fair race car driver too, into his late 70's. A next generation Steve McQueen, but rarer was his marriage to Joanne Woodward for over 50 years. Rare-these things don't happen in Hollywood, or even other places much anymore. But when she was to comment on why they lasted so long together, she cited racing. She was afraid for him, but knew it was his passion, after her, and she would relent to his passion to keep him happy. And the marriage lasted happily until his death. A rare wife, married to a a rare man, and an example to all of us married, or to be married. These rare things were valuable to them, and gave their marriage value. This is one case where rare meant valuable, not because of the rarity of them, but the love between them-and an understanding wife.

So it seems old PL Newman and I have one thing in common-great wives. Years ago when I decided to get into motorcycle ministry full time, Theresa knew it would be more riding and biker events than she was used to, or wanted. But after prayer decided to join with me, and we have been abundantly blessed. We ride more together, attend more rallies and meets together, and minister more together, based on her commitment. My passion was for the Lord and motorcycles-without her love and support, and participation I could not, and would not have done it. Sadly I compare this to many whose wives will not mess up their hairstyles for even a short ride to support their husbands. Or even give them room in the garage for a motorcycle. "My wife won't let me," tells me more about who is in charge of the home, and who they follow. It is hard to have respect for someone whose wife runs the house, and their lives. Even sadder is a few years ago meeting a man through another man whose wife tolerates his motorcycles. This new friend told me how this old friend bragged about ministering with his wife, and how supportive she was of him. Now I tend to get out and around, yet I have never met her, even during a church visit to their church she was absent. I was later told that she doesn't even go. And as much as I want to confront this man on his living a lie, I feel compassion for him, for he feels he must lie to be part of ministry. Trying to tell the world about the God of Truth while telling lies about his family. It won't work, and maybe explains his always in process life.

Ruth Graham, Billy's wife, was once asked if she ever got mad at Billy. He was gone a lot, and that can put a strain on any relationship. Did she ever think to divorce him? "No, but there was a couple of times I wanted to kill him!" But the commitment to each other, and to God kept them both effective until her death, and set a pattern for their children and countless others. Truly love covers a multitude of sins.

So what is in your collection? What do you consider rare? My wife is my rarest and most precious valuable. After Jesus. How many other wives would let her husband have 7-8 motorcycles, when you can only ride one at a time? Or buy most gifts from a motorcycle store. Or attend rallies, travel across the US of A based around motorcycle destinations? Mine does, and so I have learned to visit stores she likes, and other places that I never would have gone without her urging. You see we honor our commitment to each other, for love when drawn down to just an emotion will leave room to talk divorce, murder, or selling off some bikes. But honor the commitment, keep Jesus in the midst of your marriage, and you will be blessed. And keep the collection intact.

Some consider my wife rare, and to me she is. She is like no other. But valuable because of Jesus Christ in her life, and her love for Him. So take heart, honor your wife, and your marriage. Just like the commitment you made with your vows. Keep Jesus first, and watch as your marriage will grow, and blossom. You two will be more in love than ever, and setting an example for others.

Oh, and it helps that she always has space in the garage for her Mustang. Right next to her Bonneville....

love with compassion,

Mike

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