Hope you all had a great weekend. As we struggled here in So Cal with weather in the 80-90 degree range, I watched the Pats beat the Bears at Soldier Field in a 26 degree snowstorm. I'm sure with people here complaining of too much heat, and Chicago too much cold, somewhere in the US of A, Goldilocks' weather was just right.
It started off to be a great weekend. Watching American Pickers on Friday night, they went to Bushkill Park, near Easton, where I had been as a kid. As I began to tell Theresa about the Dodgems, the Whip, and the Fun House, they went to all these places. But the most fun was the Fun House, the oldest one in the US. I remember the big slide, and landing on mattresses at the bottom. I remember the swaying bridge, and stairs that moved. But my favorite was still the huge, rotating barrel. And I got excited when I saw it! As it rotates, you try to stand up, and hang onto the walls with no handles-still think I can do it! Just give me the chance! Yes, it's going to be a great weekend.
On Saturday morning, we were going on a toy run to Children's Hospital with Bigg's Hog Group. We went to the local Walmart, and no one was there. Checked another-no bikes. so went by Biggs, where they had left an hour ago. Jerry checked out the web site, and they had changed Walmarts, and although the flyer said San Diego-duh Mike? the address shown said San Marcos. And we missed it. Oh, well, I had a new Scrambler courtesy of Mickey to ride, and it was t-shirt weather, and Bigg's was having their Grand Opening of their new store, I'd just go back later for a free pulled pork lunch. Yes, put the cole slaw on the sandwich-the proper way to eat it.
But leaving the parking lot, I noticed the crossbar was loose on the handlebars, so I went by to see Tom in service. Who found his dusty, metric Allen keys, and catastrophe averted. A Harley guy helping a Triumph guy, could things get any weirder? As I went and parked with Theresa, she had made a new friend, who also had misread the flyer. And then Tom brought a friend over to see the Scrambler. And her Bonneville. Then Spud was there, and pretty soon, we-the Triumphs, were the center of attention. At the Grand Opening of a Harley dealership! Later when I told Spud I felt bad not owning a Harley, since they were always so nice to us, he said "You guys have nice bikes too." Remember when it wasn't what you rode, but that you rode?
Our next appointment was a Rushing Winds Church, a biker church we helped start years ago. I was looking forward to seeing some old faces, and doing some catching up. But with the exception of James and Laurie, they were all new. And no one to share old times with and catch up on. I was the stranger. Even looking at the picture of an early biker church group, the one Biker Tony sent me, failed to enhance any conversations-no one else here had been there! Where are they all now?
Sunday we planned to see Andrew race at Ocotilla, about 100 miles east of here. Going on the Tiger, it was warm already, and no wind-until we started out of Alpine. Then the breezes hit, right where they always do, and then the gusts, so we tried Old Highway 80-no better. So went to Julian, where we hoped to go down Banner Grade, the back way, but a friendly CHP officer told us the wind was bad going down, as always, right after he showed me I was parking in a red zone, would I please move? So we missed Andrew race, but he did too. They were doing a team race, and his partner, Joe, took the first lap, and crashed before Andrew could ride. Bummer. And they were 8th of 60 riders at the time of the crash!
It has been said "man plans, and God laughs." Well,this weekend, "Man whined, and God still loved us." Not a bad weekend, just not what we had planed, or looked forward too. And through it all, God was with us, and I was reminded in His gentle way, he has everything under control. Unlike me. For like Andrew reminded us, we don't know what he may have protected us from. Did my son really say that? But it's true. And I have other tales of times where I got delayed, or stopped, or lost-like the time we went to Boone, only to miss the 600 lightning strikes in Charlotte-I thought the Billy Graham Library was in Boone, so we went there, and no one knew about the library, and my ignorance kept us out away from Charlotte, and probably death.
God knows what is ahead, and we need to let Him guide us. I have learned that flexibility is a key to success in travelling, and also with God. Not compromising your values, but bending with Him, instead of breaking down in the world. And blessings usually follow it. We got to put up our tree, without too much stress. How's that for a blessing? And had a nice lunch together on Sunday. Two periods of rest I am thankful for.
God knows the plans He has for you. So let Him guide you. Travel with Jesus, and you will find the best roads-and the best one, the one He planned for you. Detours to take you different places, and not to annoy, but to bless and protect. And to meet new friends, new diners, and see a side of God you would have missed. Yep, it wasn't so bad after all-except for this guy in a mini van, when we were getting the tree, whose inside looked like the stadium after a Raider's game, but who was worried about tying a tree to the roof and scratching it! And blocked us in, he wasn't going to move until that tree was just right, but we escaped the lot, and him. Funny how watching his selfishness, put it all in perspective. More worried about what was showed on the outside, than what was on the inside. Remember rule #4!
Take care of the big things, and God will take care of the little things-and all else in between.
"Hey Mike, what are you doing today?" Don't ask! Nothing planned. Sometimes the best plans are no plans at all!
love with compassion,
Mike
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