Once upon a time at the turn of the century, the 19th century, when cars
were new and there were no gas stations, gas was sold at general stores. Long
before Walmart decorated the countrysides, these one stop serve all emporiums
were a welcome sight. And with cars a new product line, some started selling
cars, if they could beat the local blacksmith to it. And so it was normal for
them to also sell gas, and soon the smell of gas, oil, and exhaust became too
much, so the general store was either moved or closed, and Sam Walton was born.
But these buildings that housed car dealerships were far from what we see
today. In small towns they might service farmers from a 100 mile radius, so
they were small, often with the service department occupying most of the
building. Still small by many repair shop standards of today, they soon gave
way to bigger buildings, leaving the old building empty, with an history along
with the fumes of the past for rent. From general store, to gas station to car
dealer, to empty, today they may get torn down, turned into various emporiums
such as a tattoo shop, or like the one we lunched at in Eupora, Mississippi a
restaurant.
We had left Pine Bluff, Arkansas under threat of rain, so of course that
meant not putting on rain suits. Some 15 minutes later dodging big rain drops,
we were putting them on, hoping the downpour, which turned into a thunderstorm
to Birmingham would stop. Following US 82 across Mississippi, it was
dangerously wet, lots of lightning and thunder, and not the place to be riding,
so of course we were. Remember rain falls on the just and the unjust, both in
car and on motorcycle. Using hunger as any excuse to get off this rural road,
the signs for Eupora loomed ahead, so getting off we looked for food. A few
fast food places, not on this ride, so we rode into downtown, a few miles off
the 4 laner. Many small towns in the south has been bypassed by new 4 laners,
Eupora one of them. When an old brick building caught our attention, Central
Service, and we knew where lunch would be. Now being on a motorcycle helps
generate conversation, which was aided by the fact the four men leaving as we
parked all rode adventure bikes like our Tiger. They rode long rides, had just
gotten back from Pennsylvania, and during a sun break we shared rides. And then
the rains came....not quite of Noah epic, but to us So Cal folk it sure seemed
like it. But like God did for Noah, he had found a place of refuge, among
friends, those who ride, and with great food. A place any foodie will feel
welcome, and not leave hungry.
Central Service Ford had once occupied this building, closing in 1980, and
20 years later Central Service Grill was opened, and thrives today. Some 2000
live in Eupora, yet the place thrives, and we were greeted as only you are in
the south, and as we watched the next downpour, we ate big time BBQ, fries, and
drank sweet tea. Among the Coca Cola memorabilia. Eating in what used to be
the parts department. But as is the case many times for us in small towns, the
owner would stop by to see how we were doing, and it turned out the owner had
been a missionary in Central America. You never know where God is going to show
up, and here in the rain, drenched in BBQ sauce, we sat and shared the Lord with
a new found friend, more family we didn’t know we had. Shelter from the storm
had never been so welcomed, we made new friends, fellowshipped, ate great BBQ,
and survived the storm. A haven God had prepared for us ahead of time, in a
town not on the road to where we were going, and might have missed by 3 miles if
not for the rain.
Nothing is said of the weather the day Jesus fed the 5000, but it must have
been a nice day. A 5000 man picnic, not counting the women and children. Which
probably swelled the crowd to 15,000. No small catering job, and even Philip
the local had been no help. And as always, it was Andrew bringing someone to
Christ, this time a little boy with bread and fish, 5 loaves and 2 fishes. But
as always with Jesus, when not enough for man, it is adequate for God, and all
were fed. In fact 12 baskets were filled picking up the leftovers-one for each
disciple. In true form Jesus had performed a miracle, something spiritual, then
left them with something material to remind them. Which makes me wonder did
they praise him for the generous doggie bags, or complain due to the size? What
would you have done, what do you do?
But while serving the food, I have this mind’s eye vision of Jesus walking
among the crowd, greeting people. The perfect host, checking on his guests.
“Good to see you Sam, getting enough?” “Mary, heard Bill is sick, I’ll stop by
later.” “Pete, haven’t seen you in awhile,” and the list goes on. As children
probably hung around him, and others marvelled at him. Some just ate, some
fellowshipped, but none left empty as he met all their needs, physical,
emotional, and spiritual. All at no charge to them, a reminder to us of how the
Jewish people approach eating as something personal. A time spent to worship,
fellowship, and be with God. Intimately, being filled with the spirit. That is
how I picture Jesus, no reprimanding those going back for seconds, or for kids
wasting food. He feeds to overflowing, love the only table manner needed, I can
see him beaming with joy as they all left full. Some full of fish and bread,
some full of the spirit. Feeding a hunger only he could sense and feed. No
planning meetings, no budgets, no caterers. Just Jesus...all we ever need in
one convenient serving.
And so it was in Eupora that day, a storm had beckoned to the Central
Service Grill, we were welcomed by those who ride, food filled us, and when more
rain came, fellowship fed us again. The rest of the ride to the Barber
Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham was uneventful, at least for us, no more rain,
and we had missed a tornado in Tuscaloosa by a few hours, and being among those
who ride a perfect way to end the day. Among those who you don’t have to
explain why you ride, and can bench race openly. Fellowshipping with others.
Just like Jesus feeding the 5000. A lesson to remember next time Eupora rain
taps at your windshield, Jesus has a place all set to welcome you. At the end
of a weary day, or a weary life, rest is found in Jesus. Great food, good
conversation, incredible fellowship. That day at an old Ford dealership, only
in Jesus. Ironic, maybe more appropriate than I imagined at first, doesn’t FORD
stand for Found On Road Dead? Weren’t we all once? Life in Christ, no wonder I
like to travel so much. What’s your story?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com