It’s officially fall, in case your weather cannot confirm it, which means
that car shows will be tapering off to nothing. Cruise nights will be going
into hibernation, and many garage projects return to the garage, after being
pushed out under a tree for repair and restoration all summer. Convertible tops
will be stored in the up position for months to come, and many will and are
preparing to put their motorcycle up for the winter. Just 90 days ago we were
preparing for the heat, and some already complaining about it, now they are
complaining about the cold and how it effects their older bones. And what to do
now that summer is gone, the kids are back in school, and with shorter day
light, longer nights, many projects go back into storage until next spring, when
the process begins again. Like it always has...
This Friday is the last night of Cruising Grand, and looking back to so
many I missed, I will go to the last one, just because. Things go by so fast
when there are many choices, but when narrowed down to one choice, and that
choice is gone, we notice it more, and wish we had participated more. That we
had made more memories, taken more pictures, and enjoyed ourselves more. In the
good times, we think there will always be a tomorrow, and sometimes anticipate
it more than today, missing out on today’s blessings. And so with fewer
choices, the few become more valuable, and we may attend something that we would
otherwise miss, if a better one comes along. When moving to So Cal years ago, I
noticed that many would not confirm a reservation, waiting until the last minute
for a better one. Something we may all be guilty of. And now with fewer shows,
cruise nights gone, and cooler weather here, it’s dark after supper and we go in
front of the TV. Where we search 200+ channels, and finding nothing on, go
through them again, settling for something less than we want, until the next
show comes along. Fortunately I have a TV in my garage, so I can sit among the
motorcycles on cool nights, and look back, and ahead. It is only 6 months
until summer, don’t delay, start making your plans now, just leaving them open
because you know a better offer may come along.
But October means fall weather, a sweatshirt under my jacket, and riding
out to the desert and hills. It will still be hot there for awhile, it is hard
to think of 70 degrees as hot after days of 90-100. And the car shows go on,
and on Friday, October 4th, 10-4 to you good buddy, I will be in Hollywood
attending the 10th annual 10-4 Day. Started 10 years ago, note the anniversary,
by a local city councilman to honor police heroes of TV, this year will have Jon
and Ponch of CHiPS, Sgt. Malloy of Adam 12 and David Starsky of Starsky and
Hutch. Cruising down Hollywood Blvd. and meeting in front of Broderick
Crawford’s star on the Walk of Fame, he of Highway Patrol, and the guy who made
“10-4” a popular phrase of the day. A chance to meet other police car junkies
and get photo ops with them. A time to look back at the old days, before
suspended sentences, lenient judges, and crime out of control. We felt safe
knowing Mary 3 and 4 were just a shift or two away on their Kawasaki police
bikes, or that Starksy would come screeching around a corner sideways...book ‘em
Dano. You felt safe even though the city was smitten with multiple 9-11’s that
Reed and Malloy would show up and catch the suspect, and offer him a free ride
down to Parker Center. You knew the bad guys were out there, but the good guys
would ultimately win, and felt safe leaving your doors and window open at night
each summer night...sleeping peacefully knowing someone was watching over
you.
But my favorite shows, in case you haven’t caught on, were the ones with
the cars and bikes, I cared more about them than Hutch’s love life, which I’m
sure suffered due to his driving an early 70’s Ford sedan. You knew Starsky
would score with his red Torino, you knew Reed went home to his wife and 2.5
kids in suburbia, and that some disco was staying open late for Ponch. The
vehicles made them, imagine Adam 12 in unmarked cruisers? Jon and Ponch on 10
speeds? The cars were the stars, we watched to see them, and would suffer
through stupid plots for a glimpse of them. And now just like summer, they are
gone, with just one morning to remember them. Bundle up, the ride home will be
colder than the ride up.
Life for most of us is like the plots of these shows, where we sit through
mundane days and nights, until something exciting happens. We celebrate
holidays, look forward to picnics, and car shows, and even plan vacations way
ahead of time. That two weeks a year, or 1/13th of our year comes so slow, and
ends so quickly, but we neglect the times in between, failing to enjoy them.
Being a Christian is a 7/24 proposition for many of us. We just don’t look
forward to Sunday and church, but Jesus is the most important thing of our days
and nights. A season that doesn’t end, but that exciting things are there,
along with the blessings, if we just look. Or get out. This last weekend we
attended a Woodies meet, over 300 woodies in attendance, did you make it there?
We had Ann Graham Lotz speak at church, I hope you didn’t miss her. What were
you doing, in front of the TV? Life is for the living, and Jesus tells us we
can have it abundantly. The opportunities are there, where are you?
Look around and many signs of Jesus’ return for His church are there?
Where are you? What you are seeking you will find, what are you looking for?
We find fellowship both in church and at secular events-where many ministry
opportunities are. We find chances to talk old cars and Jesus at Cruising
Grand. We find bikers with needs at rallies, and make new friends at all the
above. We get out...the ministry of just being there. Want more joy, get out
of your house. Turn off the TV, after CHiPS, and go for a ride. To church, but
go somewhere. Starbucks is a great place to spend too much for coffee, and not
bring your gun, but look around at the hurting people. And you wonder, where
can I minister? Take some time to get out among the lost, they’re everywhere,
maybe listening to their stories, then telling yours. Opportunity knocks, so
you can go out. Inviting you to blessings, will you go?
Jesus was out among the people. He didn’t hang with church folk, they
hated Him. He hung out at secular events, like we do. But something was
different about Him, if you know Him you know what I mean. Your Jerusalem may
be a 9x12 cell, or the open road. Either way use the opportunities to share the
joy of Christ. Summer has come and gone, winter will soon be upon us. Seasons
come, seasons go, Jesus is the same always. How about you, what are you doing
this weekend? The process continues, like it always has.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com