Did you know that on the corner of SR 126 and A Street in Fillmore there used to be a gas station and a motel? In 1948? Or that across the street was a diner that served great breakfasts? Well, neither did I until our chance meeting with a man making his first trip back to Fillmore since then. I say chance, but I really mean divine time of intervention. Today a Chevron station stands there, has for 15 years as far as I can remember, and we stop for cold drinks before heading south to Moorpark over the pass-a good motorcycle road. While getting ready to leave, a man pulls up in a Ford Crown Vic with Tennessee plates, and after parking carefully, comes over and starts talking to us.
Turns out he is 81 years old, and has driven over 2100 miles from Tennessee by himself over the weekend. He showed us his medicine for his heart, it is enlarged and dressed in his blue leisure suit-right out of the seventies, started to tell us about his life. Born in 1930, he left Fillmore for the Air Force in 1948, then a career at Lockheed, where he left and took early retirement in 1974, as head of special projects. He tapped on his right vest pocket telling us how they pay him well in retirement. And how he is a widower and how his older son committed suicide due to drugs. All within 45 seconds.
But he went on to tell of Fillmore then, and how there were no hotels around, and wouldn't stay in a Best Western, the only game in town. He was staying in Piru, I didn't even know they had a motel, but I do know of an old hotel I saw on Diagnosis Murder when filmed there. We even went by to confirm it once. But in between, he was a bundle of energy, and memories, and entertaining to listen too. After awhile we shook hands, and I asked him if he had been down Central, the main street in town to see where the Wm. L Morris Chevrolet Store was, a legend since 1929. It fell victim to the earthquake in 1994, but the buildings still remain empty, much like happens in a small town like this-abandoned, unused, but not forgotten. When I mentioned this, his face lit up. He had gone to school with Chappie Morris, the owner's son, and they were friends. He would go by. We shook hands again, and even though he had more to say- a lot more, it was time to go. I wished this smiling old man well, and never get his name. But his face and kindness will stick with me.
Choice encounters like this along the road always seem to remind me that although we are called to the road as a destination, it is the people along the way that make the most precious memories. 2000 years ago an Ethiopian eunuch had a choice, but not chance encounter with Philip, asking about the scriptures concerning Christ. After Philip filled him in, he baptized the eunuch, and then was gone. All within a short time, a blessing and an example to future travelers that while on the road, to share the gospel. Which not always is expressed in scriptural dictation, or preaching, but more often showed in love. Like we did in Fillmore. God sent this man to us, or us to him. He needed a friend, a fellow traveler to share old times with, and we love to listen to the old time stories. So we were his perfect audience. In fact I am tempted to ride up to Piru to find him and hear more, much like the eunuch wanted to hear more about Jesus. But we showed love and compassion to a fellow traveler, and left the richer for it, as did he. To us a chance encounter, but to God a precious time to see three people on the road blessed.
Take the time to welcome others, whether into your home, your church, or on the road. You never know who you will meet or the blessings that await you. You may be the blessing, or be on the receiving end, but either way, welcome strangers. For we were all once strangers, and Jesus welcomed us. A fact we never want to forget. And that we should want to pass on to others. To some this would have been an annoying old man, but to us a precious treasure of memories. And to him, we were a welcome audience after four days in the car alone-at 81 years old.
Maybe that is why Jesus wants us out and about on the road-getting out of church, sharing the love of Jesus and making testimonies. Life outside of the four walls, taking what we have learned with us to share with others. Maybe, just maybe, take the time to take Jesus with you on your next trip, whether to the store or across the country. You will never travel alone, and be blessed. And stand with a new friend where a hotel and gas station used to be. Listening. An unscripted memory from God, just for you. Just another pit stop in life on the road to heaven.
love with compassion,
Mike
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