Have you ever been in a car with kids asking every 10
minutes, “Are we there yet?” especially if it’s a long car ride? When I was a young
girl, we weren’t allowed to do that. There were always books to read or color.
Songs to sing or just sit there with your mouth shut and enjoy the scenery.
Those were your choices. It taught us to enjoy the ride and take stock of the
journey.
To this day, I still love car rides and train rides with
plenty of beautiful scenery. Yup, I get excited with either one. Those were the
vehicles I mostly traveled in as a youngster. But there were at least five bus
trips to Canada in my lifetime and somewhere in the late 1970’s, I vowed never
to ride the bus to Canada or anywhere else it would take 11 plus hours to get
to. I have yet to break that vow. And yes, I’ve been back to Canada—took the
train and loved it!
As I watch television commercials for the latest car features,
I see Wi-Fi is the new big thing. It has replaced kids being able to watch just
one movie together. Now, everyone can stick their earplugs in and watch a movie
on their own device. What happened to
conversation, reading, staring out the window and seeing how many license plates
you spot from other states? Or singing songs until one of the adults tells you
to hush up? What about punch buggy—punching the person next to you (gently and
in fun) when you spot a Volkswagen vehicle? I heard more family stories on long
car rides then I care to remember. But, some of them were really funny. It was a
joy to imagine my aunt (and godmother), being young and bossing my mom around.
LOL!
Life is also a journey. And we can be like spoiled kids in a car
with Wi-Fi, on our own devices—missing all the beautiful things that pass us
by. Asking often, “Are we there yet?” with impatience and annoyance. We are not
enjoying the journey and the lessons needed. We want God to hurry us from point
A to point B.
To this day, I still prefer to ride the train over any other
form of transportation—even flying. Because there is so much to see and enjoy—without being
rushed.
Yes, it can be a hassle if you have to switch to another
train, or they stop to change the engines and there is no power and people
still keep using the bathrooms when they don’t flush and there’s no water to
wash your hands. But, it’s all worth it as I’m gently rocked by the swaying of
the train as it travels at 80 miles an hour. I easily forget the minor inconveniences
and bumps along the way as I look out the window at all the beautiful greenery
or snow covered trees (depending what season it is), soaking in the beautiful
sunsets or sunrises to be had. I love reading on the train and spending time
working a cryptogram or two, but basically I want to listen to music, and look out
the window and daydream. A train ride is
something that brings great joy and happiness to me—especially when I reach my
destination. But I do enjoy the journey.
At this stage of life a bus ride can be no longer than 2.5 hours or I start to get
antsy. Last bus ride I took was to Washington, DC, which is about 2 hours by
car. I was stuck on the bus with some of the most ignorant people you could
imagine. And coming back wasn’t any better and we were stuck for over an hour
in airport traffic right on the outskirts of Philadelphia. This was in the late
90’s, and yes, it was my last bus ride from one state or district to another.
Long car rides can be a nuisance if the car is small and I’m
cramped or uncomfortable. Also, the music thing can really be an issue.
Basically I don’t like gospel music (shut your mouth), and for some reason most
of my friends of color want to listen to it—and that makes me sad. I do have
one girlfriend who would rather talk then put music on and she can drive me
anywhere. I need a ride to Ocean City, Peggy! ~Smile~
This journey of life can be likened to a journey we might
plan—missed flights and bad weather delays. Luggage that’s gone to luggage
heaven without us…never to be seen again. A rental car which turned out to be a
lemon and has us stranded on the roadside in the boonies. Hotel bookings that
were, but aren’t once we arrive. Montezuma’s revenge holding us prisoner 4 days
out of our 7 day vacation. That horrible case of poison ivy we get at the camp
site, no matter how careful we were. And yes, a host of other stuff we
contracted from the hotel pool that wasn’t quite up to par as far as chlorination
and good working filters. Yuck!
Here’s life’s journey…divorce, death, sickness, loss, disappointments,
failures, betrayal, abandonment, being misplaced and uncomfortable. Missed opportunities,
being used and abused, and forgotten.
What I’m trying
to say is the journey of life will hit unexpected rough patches. But, we should
know that “God works all things for the good of those who love him, who have
been called according to his purpose.” [my paraphrase] Romans 8:28 NIV In other words, "He has a
plan!"
You see sisters, life at times can be very uncomfortable like riding in a small car, and you
feel out of sync because the music that is playing is not your thing. Loss is
painful and we want to know if we are there yet and how much longer—before we
arrive on the other side of the pain. Disappointments from life unscripted are
a given and without warning. Just like missing your plane and having to sleep
on a cot in the airport with 600, other stranded miserable people.
So though life might be tough or even look a bit bleak—remember God’s promises to us. That’s our
travel insurance, so all is not lost. But we must read the Bible to know what
He promises. When we don’t, all our experiences in this journey called life will
look more like economy or standby. We never get to experience business or first
class. We will always be upset because of missed opportunities, envious of
others, walking in unforgiveness, versus finding pleasure in even the simple
things.
Until next week...
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