In God's ever continuing improvement classes with me, lately we are dealing with patience. And after our recent cross country trip, I think I am finally beginning to get it. Patience has its rewards, and blessings follow those who are patient. But like any battle, once the enemy sees he is going to lose one of his prime impatient representatives, starts throwing all his dirty campaigns your way. And you find if you really want to be patient, you start RIGHT NOW! So that is when we will start.
This last weekend we decided to go to Newport Beach. Joan and a friend were coming in, we could meet at El Cholo for dinner, spend the afternoon at the beach-if the marine layer ever lifted and then I could go to BA-MOTO's second anniversary party in Long Beach the next day. OK, I had ridden the Bonneville up to Newport to meet Theresa. Great plans, and all would seem to work. Just be patient. So we were.
Checking into our motel-the Cozy Inn, cheap, very clean, big rooms-not what you would expect just a few miles from the beach in Newport, the clouds lifted. A find, thanks Lord. Then with the top down-yes we went in the car, we proceeded to Newport Beach.
Now I could care less about the beach, but my better half loves it, so I had decided to spend the weekend with her there, which takes patience. If I have to sit, I wish to have two wheels under me. Doing miles. Seeing things. Going places. This was a test for me. So we crossed over PCH, and proceeded down Balboa Blvd, in traffic. Heavy, then heavier as you go from two lanes to one. And no parking spaces-at all. So being patient, we went on, soon found we had gone through all the number streets that start in the high 30's, and were into the letter streets. And of course the enemy is telling us go back, too many people, too much hassle, and you are wasting your time. And we were, listening to him, so we quit. Even when the thought of that there were only six hours of daylight left, we soldiered on. Until we hit the middle of the alphabet streets. Where the traffic thinned, and the parking meters stopped. Not a good sign, but to the patient a great sign.
You see the ocean didn't stop there, but went on. And turning right at the middle of the alphabet, found parking just two short blocks from the beach-free, and we found ourselves in a beautiful neighborhood. Where all the houses are too cute. But we parked and trekked two blocks to the beach anyway.
Which was empty. Where just a half mile away there were thousands, we were in a crowd of dozens. With the patient. Wide open, clean beach. Quiet, you could hear the waves. With our own life guard, an unreal beach, and a priceless view. All because we had waited, and showed patience. For the price of driving an extra five minutes, in a car, God's answer for our beach day was right here, and while others were impatient, and still circling for a parking space, at an 100-to-1 ration, we sat back, read, dipped in the ocean, and watched as the boats came into the bay. For free, with no hassles!
And still met Joan and Sharon early, before the dinner rush, and then back to the motel. Rested, relaxed, and blessed.
The next day, I rode to Long Beach to meet up with BA-MOTO, which I never did. Once again, being patient, I decided to head home after two times up and down Anaheim Blvd., and was blessed. Missed traffic, and had a great ride home. Don't know why God had me miss the meeting, but He did. And I got to spend more time with my wife-a lot more fun anyway.
God's plans are not always on an express route. You must listen to Him, and for Him to know the proper timetable. And this weekend I was reminded of that, and how listening to Him-obedience, is better than sacrifice-making excuses for the bad times and mixed blessings I cause myself.
So much I can't wait until next weekend! Is that being impatient of me?
love with compassion,
Mike
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