As I sat on the curb, in a park outside Asbury Park, I sat and stared at my new 350 Honda. I was meeting my friend Jack for a Beach Boys concert, and had arrived early, and since it was hot and muggy, decided to hang in this shady park. Remembering the words of Ralph of Ralph's Honda where I had purchased the bike two months ago, I got out the owner's manual and read it. Unusual as most people don't hear anything you say when they buy their new vehicle, but for some strange reason I had listened. Turning the pages, I came upon maintenance. And among periodic checks, was to check all nuts and bolts. So dumping out my tool kit, remember the one with the two piece pliers, and two ended screwdriver, and began to check all the Phillips head screws on the bike. For some reason the Japs had a fixation on Phillips head screws, which led to many sales of impact hammers due to stripping the heads off while trying to remove them with the cheesy tool kit screwdriver. But finding all the screws tight, remember the bike was only two months old, I noticed a big screw, with a slot in it. So flipping over the screwdriver bit in the handle, proceeded to tighten it. It was loose, and I was glad I had read the manual. It was very loose, and after many turns, it was tight.
So I put away the tools, safe in the knowledge that I had prevented myself from getting stuck on the side of the road. Turn key, push starter, and pull in the clutch. Except the clutch wouldn't pull-it was tight and wouldn't move. So I immediately went into panic mode, and got out the owner's manual, desperate for help. Cursing the Japs for building this faulty machine, boy would they ever be sorry they had sold me this defective piece of junk, look out Ralph, one I get it running, I gonna get you! Never thinking I was to blame. But there it was. Picture and everything of the clutch adjuster bolt. It wasn't meant to be tight-it was used for adjustment. So unpacking the tool kit, I readjusted the bolt, for some reason I had counted the turns, and all was well, just as it was before I had tried to fix it. And got to the concert on time.
And some lessons were learned that evening. But the most important one was "if it ain't broke, don't try and fix it!"
Talking with Christopher yesterday, we were talking of all the self help and positive mental attitude books showing up in Christian book stores these days. Bordering on the New Age, and of course all about you, they run contrary to the teachings of the Bible, and although a certain feel good theology goes with them, you usually end up in a worse condition, and farther from God. Sort of like the Serenity Now of Frank Costanza, only to be reminded by Lloyd Braun, "Serenity Now, insanity later." For who knows better, than God how to handle all situations. And although there are different versions of the Bible, it stays the same, and the message of the gospel never changes. As far as I know, God never did any rewrites, and even cautions those who do.
So stick with the Bible, and don't settle for second best. Trust God and His word, and enjoy life. Opinions don't count in heaven, and God's word will never change.
As for the Beach Boys concert-"Fun, Fun, Fun." And for my 350, still "I Get Around." And like Brian Wilson was to later write on Pet Sounds, "God only knows what I'd be without Him!" And I don't want to ever find out!
Jesus Christ-He fixes what is broke. Periodic maintenance, only found in a relationship with Him. He's never the one with a screw loose.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com
