Our friend Joe in Oklahoma understands the biker brotherhood. He is also
one of the few people I would ride anywhere with, and have ridden across country
with him three times. He is someone we love and trust, but Joe also knows good
places to eat, which when combined with the other two really sets him apart. So
when riding through Oklahoma, we always try to hook up with him, if he is
around, as he is an over the road trucker. And even if the meals may not appear
gourmet quality, the company and fellowship always is.
On our last Torches Across America ride, the four of us were riding Route
66 between Tulsa and Troy, Illinois, trying to bypass both the rain and the
boredom of I-44. We pulled into an old cinder block building, that he had
passed by many times, and said it looked good, which meant the lot was big
enough to park his rig. So in we walked, after dodging the numerous potholes in
the once gravel lot, and walking in with our rain gear on, all activity in the
room stopped. But when the waitress, aka the hostess called us Sweetie, we knew
we would be OK. All locals except for us, she knew their order before they sat
down, with us it was different, and all the eyes were on us. And soon we were
engaging them in conversations, listening to their stories, and invited to sit
with them. We heard their war stories, were shown pictures of their grandkids,
and we all left as friends. Invited back with a “hope you have a safe trip, and
stop in next time you are in Oklahoma.” I never have, but when I go by the
place smile and wave, even though I cannot remember its name. As I recall, it
may not have had one....but thanks to Joe we made new friends and
memories.
In 2011 when the tornados hit Joplin, Missouri, Andrew and I decided to go
out and volunteer to help. Which took us through Tulsa, where we hooked up with
Joe and had a late lunch. Knowing the kind of old diners I like to eat in, he
had been spying one for awhile, on old, old Route 66 downtown. A old rail car,
he had never eaten there, but knew we would like it, so in we went. Again
greeted with a “Hi Sweetie,” we knew we were in good hands, and between the
chicken fried steak and mashed potatoes, we were full. He had been telling the
waitress how we were from San Diego, and going out to help in Joplin, when two
big pieces of pie showed up, on the house. Already full, we never would have
ordered them, but ate them as one bite and they had you. But when going to pay,
the two women working that afternoon met us at the register, and waved off our
money. They bought our meals, they were touched by our compassion for those in
Joplin, and wanted to help us out. Even refusing to take a tip....another place
I cannot remember the name, but will always remember the meal, and another road
food find by Joe. There have been others, these two meals stand out, more for
the company than the food, and if Oklahoma, if they call you Sweetie, you know
you are in good hands. Just tell them Joe sent you....
We all have Joes in our lives, friends who we only see every few years, but
stay close with. Friends you don’t have to talk or text everyday, your
relationship goes deeper and is beyond words. We miss Joe sometimes, but know
our lifestyles can go in different directions, so when we meet, it is special.
A man wiser than me once noted “if you hang around a barber shop long enough
eventually you will get a hair cut.” And Oklahoma because of Joe has grown on
me. Great roads make great rides, but are best shared with friends and loved
ones, and over a meal is second to riding. I think Jesus would agree, as he
spent his whole life on the road. He was born on the road, remember his parents
were travelling. Paul met him on the Damascus road. Philip met the eunuch in
the spirit along the road. Jesus rode the colt into Jerusalem on the road, was
crucified along the road, and was seen by over 500 after his crucifixion, not in
church, but on the road. He was out where the people were, taking the gospel to
them, making it real. He sent his disciples out two by two, where, on the road,
where the gospel was recorded. Food was also important to him, as he fed the
5000 twice, but made it more personal one night on shore with Peter, preparing
him for ministry when he told him three times “feed my sheep.” And if you
recall, it was a picnic lunch that Jesus used to show Peter it was OK to eat all
things, letting him know the gospel was not just for Jews, but Gentiles also.
Food and Jesus go hand in hand, so do Jesus and the road. So when I tell people
Jesus, riding,and road food, it don’t get any better, a trinity of thoughts
refer me to the trinity of God the father, Jesus his son, and the holy spirit.
How many meals have become great ones just because Jesus was along?
But yet we skip meals with him, maybe only pray occasionally, visit church
twice a year, and read our Bible occasionally, if we can find it. But I find
the more time spent with him, I become more like him. Just like hanging out in
a barber shop, I soon want a haircut, I want to look nicer, to smell nicer, and
be more like him. Slowly realizing it is the spirit working on me inside that
changes me on the outside. He does all the work, I make the choices to change
or not.
Looking back the meals ate with Joe, the food was nothing special. It was
the memories, the friends and the time spent. And even if I could, I would
never go back to them, it would not be the same. Jesus sets these times apart
as special. How much time do you spend with him? Is it special? Is it the
food or the company? Remember the 5000 thought it was about the food, and would
get hungry again. Do we hunger after Jesus the same way? Full one day, empty
the next, but caught up in a religious cycle? When we are hungry we want to
eat, now. When we are spiritually hungry, we want Jesus, now. And he is
available, now. Over the years on many rides in many states with many different
people, I have had many meals. Jesus somehow has come up in the conversation,
and no one has ever gotten up and left before they were done eating. Don’t
preach with your mouth full, but share him as he becomes a part of you. Where
it becomes natural, and with his supernatural love, the meal will somehow taste
better. Even if not in Oklahoma. Jesus and road food....
Maybe it is as simple as taking communion, “do this in remembrance of me.”
Maybe that is why we ask the blessing before we eat, we remember him, and
anticipate more memories to come. Oklahoma is calling this summer, I can smell
Swadley’s already, another Joe favorite. Lucille’s lunch special will not go
uneaten. And I know Jesus is along for the ride. We hope to see Joe, maybe
ride a few miles and eat a meal together, such are the times friends look
forward to and back on. On the road to freedom, on the road with
Jesus....”what’ll you have Sweetie?”
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com