After a morning of chasing roads along the Ohio River, it was lunch time,
or close enough to eat. We had come into Corydon, whose signs proudly
proclaimed it was once the “First Capital of Indiana,” and proceeded to follow
the road into town. The old town square had been turned into a memorial, with
statues and plaques proclaiming Corydon’s past role in history. But it was
hunger not history that was driving us at the moment, so looking for lunch was
next. A rustic old building on the corner filled with people in business attire
motivated us to keep walking around the block, and we were almost back to going
there for lunch when a sign “LUNCH SPECIAL” caught our attention on a rather
non-descript building. Looking inside, it looked clean, but empty, not quite
lunch time yet, and the $5 for BBQ tenderloin, home made cole slaw and potato
salad, fresh corn, and a soda was too inviting. Finding a table, the owner’s
wife greeted us, and soon we were filling ourselves with last nights special.
Worth twice the price, filling and delicious. We got talking, as you will with
the owners in such a place, and found he rode Harleys, and was a stop over for
many biker runs. He had recently fed almost 100 bikers a few weekends before,
at his expense, on their run to Washington, DC. As we talked rides, a man and
his son ambled in, fresh from the smell of hay. Hungry and sweaty, in between
bites of his tenderloin, he explained he had a small farm down the road, and it
was haying time. His wife and other family members were still hard at work, he
was taking a much needed break. But he was more interested in our rides, as
wanted to hear more about his farm. So we shared stories, with the owner
sitting with us in between other customers coming in for lunch, and learned a
lot about the area. And hard work. He told us how he always wanted to get a
bike and see America, and I thought here we were seeing, and talking with
America. But running a farm was a 24/7 chore, and he had a small bike that he
rode when he could, but when we left he had one request. We would be passing by
his farm, the haying operation going on right by the road. Would we stop and
talk to his wife about selling the farm, buying a bike, and the two taking off
and seeing America? There was a sincerity to his request, but you somehow knew
that farming was his life, his family, and his place in the community. You
never say no to a request like that, and we nodded we would. With no intention
of getting into a domestic argument. Walking out after paying, and leaving
filled for our $10, we noted the name on the window, “JOY LUNCH.” Not Joy’s but
Joy. And what a joy it had been, a far cry from the business suits and ties
just around the corner. Or from the Cracker Barrel by the freeway, which was
where we had been heading. We had a joyful lunch, made a man’s day brighter by
talking, really listening to him, and met a couple whose lot in life was feeding
people who were hungry, and maybe making a few bucks along the way for their
trouble. Not quite an hour spent, but time has no meaning on special
appointments like this, and even though it has been almost 8 summers, I still
remember it like it was yesterday. Probably the best $5 meal I ever had, and
the river roads were still calling. A space and place in time, that no one
asked for, but that God provided.
We call them divine appointments, because God brings them into our lives.
Some would call them lucky, but knowing a loving God, we know he has them for
us. The right time, right place, right people,and the right food. Nothing real
fancy, just folk. The kind of America we once saw in Jimmy Stewart movies, and
still look for today. But it is God who makes it special, knowing he has all
the details worked out, scenarios we couldn’t choreograph, they must come from
heaven. The Bible is filled with such events, for there are no chance meetings
with God. And so it is with coming to know Jesus. We are told today is the day
of salvation, for many, maybe for you, and God calls us to seek him. Like Joy
Lunch, we were hungry, and God provided a place just for us. Our souls long
after God, and he provides Jesus as the way to satisfy, nothing else will. At
just the right time Romans tells us God sent him while we were yet sinners.
Before we were born, looking, or knew we need a savior, Jesus was ready. And
the time for us will be now. Some in church, some at crusades, some in homes,
and some out riding. But the blessings don’t stop there, they only begin, and
one lunch hour in Corydon God reminded us of that. Planned for us from the
beginning, he brought a couple of bikers, a couple who owned the diner, and a
farming family together in a place appropriately called Joy. For lunch. To be
fed, and be blessed.
Checking out Tripadvisor today to see if Joy Lunch was still there, it is
gone. An Italian restaurant with great reviews is there. A much younger
couple being shown as the owners. A place that exists only in our memories, and
in our trip photos. A meal that stands out among one of my favorites, being fed
body, soul, and spirit. A place God set up for us because he loves us. Just to
show he cares. If God cares enough to bring bikers, cooks, and farmers
together, imagine what he can do for you? He has many a place called Joy for
you today, most unexpected, but a love gift from him. Via his son Jesus. To
some a Twilight Zone episode, but to those who seek him, we know a divine
appointment. A time he set up for us, before we could even ask. With like the
old James Taylor song says “with 10 miles behind us, and 10,000 more to go.”
His blessings never stop, we never stop being hungry, and his daily bread for
our lives has already been prepared for tomorrow. And for today.
I hope that farmer and his wife get to see America by motorcycle. We
thought of stopping, even slowed down, his farm was right where he said it was,
but we would have been interrupting, disturbing a family hard at work. So we
honked and waved, they waved back, not knowing who we were, but we knew them.
I think of them often when riding through the country, and think how God fed us
that day. Reminding myself how thankful I truly am for Jesus, and for farmers.
Meeting one for lunch, we became instant friends, and for a short time shared
food, even if it was across the room. But friends can do that, and Jesus calls
us friends. Spend some time with him today, he has a divine appointment with
you, and to be shared with others. To some just another lunch hour in Corydon,
for us a special blessing. Just like it said in the window. “LUNCH SPECIAL.”
“JOY LUNCH.” And it was. The signs will always be there, if only we take the
time to stop and read.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com