Last week on our ride to and through the Southern Rockies and the Million
Dollar Highway, we spent our first night out in Chandler, Arizona. After
battling the 105+ degrees of Arizona heat, the AC felt great, the TV had decent
channels, and we were still full from lunch. Now it is a common thing for most
motels to provide breakfast to their guests, from a continental offering to an
order up hot breakfast. They also vary from inedible to incredible, never
knowing that Alpo once made breakfast food. But usually the seating areas are
packed, what family traveling cannot pass up a free breakfast, and the place can
be crowded. Such was our experience the next morning, as an excursion of people
from China had filled the room. A definite communication breakdown as far as
language went, but yet with no tables available, two elderly Chinese women
motioned for us to sit and eat with them. Very few words were spoken, but we
all felt comfortable, and in the middle of Arizona on that morning we were the
only two white guys in the room, but felt very welcomed. Seems when words fail,
actions more than take up the slack, and I will remember their kindness for
awhile. Two little old ladies letting two biker looking dudes eat with them.
Lesson learned, and remembered, just not filed away where it can be forgotten.
Seems breakfast is the most important meal of the day for more reasons than
just nutrition. In Gallup, where my friend once found a dead Indian on the hood
of his car, and I spent a night in jail for 136 in a 55 zone, we again were
shown great courtesy and great food. Nothing processed here, including the
service, you can tell the fake smiles and limp handshakes, here the women
waitressing were friendly, offered conversation, and when we checked out later,
wished us a safe trip. When I mentioned this to the girl who checked us out,
she said “thanks for the compliment, can you believe it in Gallup?” She knew as
I did, things were changing, and how much a smile could mean on the road. So
much is said about breakfast being the most important meal of the day nutrition
wise, we neglect to see how it sets the tone for the day. Miss your latte,
Uncle Grumpy is with you all day. In a rush and miss it altogether, your day is
spent rushing, never quite catching up. But start off with a good breakfast, my
wife has recently gotten me hooked on breakfast sandwiches, add in a smile and
good service, and your day starts out brighter, even at home. Never
underestimate the power of a smile and courtesy, and how it can be passed on
during the day. But it all starts with you, and how you wake up. Either “good
Lord it’s morning,” or “Good morning Lord.” Your choice, bet you didn’t know
just how important breakfast really was?
Our walk with Jesus can be the same way. Once we are saved, we will have
mornings where everyone else wished we stayed in bed, our witness slipping, but
God still with us. Some will put on their religious face, reading a Bible
hurriedly, maintaining their unbroken streak of Bible reading, yet getting
nothing out of it. Other than late. When first saved I learned an important
lesson about worship, and how it was all about Jesus, and when directed by the
holy spirit, it had value and added to our relationship. I had to be at work
every morning at 830 am when they opened, and we always took time with God first
before leaving the house. Many times I was late in leaving, after 830 am, but
was never late. No matter the traffic, the time, or the attitude, we always
gave God his time with us, and I was never late. Never punched in after 830 am,
seeing a part of God who identifies himself as the great I am. We gave him the
honor, not the rote devotion or prayer time, never hurried, and like Jesus, I
was never late. Seems when God says seek ye first the kingdom of God, he truly
does add all things unto it, including time. It is not the quantity of time or
discipline of time spent with God, if it has become a religious exercise you
gain nothing, but when really seeking him and putting him first, he honors that
time. At home, on the road, even in Gallup. Never underestimate the value of a
good breakfast, some may only eat for nutrition, the rest of us eat with the
Lord. A time of communion, a time when Jesus asked his disciples to remember
him, what do you consider at breakfast? Or better yet, who?
It took many hours for Jesus to feed the 5000, but no time to prepare it.
Like his first miracle of changing water into heavenly wine, it wasn’t about the
time or the process, it was all about him. Today consider when he asked “why do
you call me Lord, but fail to do the things I ask?” He isn’t giving you a list
of chores, but wanting you to include him in your day. He wants to spend time
with you, and like the John Fischer song says “love him in the morning when you
see the sun arising, love him in the evening cause he took you through the day,
and in the in between times when you feel the pressures coming, remember that he
loves you and promises to say with you.” Spending too much time considering the
things of God when you should be considering him? Take a break and include
Jesus, let his spirit comfort you. No high octane coffee, to give you a boost,
let his spirit rise in you. And when you feel the pressures rising, remember
that he loves you. Time well spent, where will you find the time to do it? God
made time for you, could you not stay awake just one more hour? Breakfast is
served.....who serves you and who you serve will make all the difference.
Waking up with Jesus will always be the most important meal of the day. Let’s
pray...
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com