I love being on the road. Waking up in a different place, then riding 50-100 miles and having breakfast. We have found it to be a practical practice-you avoid all the rush and waiting in lines, and miss all the families on vacation fighting with their kids, but also get to spend some time with God while riding, and widen your choices of which Diner, Drive In or Dive you get to eat at-sorry Guido. We have never been let down-almost like a sixth sense, but I find when spending time with God first, He always has a special place for us to eat. And even though it is later in the day, we skip lunch-more riding, and can take more back roads, and see more of the country. Plus in colder climates, there is something special about peeling off the jacket, then later the sweatshirt as the temp climbs. Very refreshing, and also allows for very short pit stops in some pretty areas.
And in the late afternoons, having ridden, stopped, visited, checked out, and checked in-we look for dinner. Same thing-sometimes researched, sometimes a reference from another biker, and sometimes just drawn by God. Note-if asking the motel clerk where a good place to eat-don't. They will usually send you to their coffee shop-bad choice. Ask "if you could go anywhere for dinner, where would it be?" Much different response, again very rarely let down. Been an El Cholo fan for years because of this.
We also find if not eating at dinner time, maybe 430pm or 630pm, we again miss all the traffic, miss the joy of waiting in line-no we don't want to sit at the bar and wait, and get a less stressed waitress, whose attitude reflects to the chef. Yes, they talk, and we have had the chef even come to our table after the proper kindnesses have been expressed. Sleep-ride-eat-ride-repeat.
But what about the in between times? When you are hungry, but can't find a place?
Life is like that. And I like John Fisher's All Day Song, which says "love Him in the morning when you see the sun a risin', love Him in the evening 'cause He took you through the day. And in the in-between time when you feel the pressures coming, remember that He loves you and He promises to stay-with you!" Like a cycle-we pray, then expect the answer-NOW! But what if the answer is wait? How long, for what? When? Didn't you get my urgent request God? Yet it is these times, that when we wait, the answer is most worthwhile. God isn't asleep, or waiting for parts-He is allowing you to spend more time with Him-remember we ride by faith, not by sight-Mike version, and we need to seek Him more. I have never been disappointed, but have actually learned to trust Him more. Recent example.
Changing our plans and only spending one night in Daytona, we went to the gulf coast of Florida-even made a reservation, so we could swim. Only to find out after battling Orlando traffic, avoid-and arriving in Port Richey, we found the closest beach is over 30 miles away. Bummed, we were given our money back by the motel-thanks guys, and ended up in Gainesville-inland and only 150 miles from where our 425 mile day started. But the next day, God took us to the coast on the panhandle-to some primitive beach areas, where the tourists don't go-but we certainly will next year. If Port Richey had had beaches, we never would have had the great meal in Apalachicola, and found these neat beaches. God's answer was a slight detour, a great night's sleep in Gainesville, and then showing us beaches that we were really looking for. Only God...
If you are in an in-between time right now-be patient. That perfect beach, financial answer, relationship dilemma, or whatever you asked God help for is being dealt with. We are His children, and He loved us so much He sent Jesus to die. If He was willing to do that, don't you think all the other minor things we ask Him for will be answered?
Yep, I love being on the road. And no matter which road you choose to travel, take God along for those in-between times. You will also find He knows great places to eat, ride, stay, and has memories yet to be shared awaiting you. It is in the in-between times we really get to know and trust Him.
Now I know this great diner about 100 miles away-hungry?
love with compassion,
Mike
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