Yesterday, when I was young… Okay. I’m not complaining, so don’t even think it, but I woke Wednesday morning at 5:30 am, drove about 375 miles, met some family, visited with some friends, and never once felt like the radio was a “must”. It was simply too much fun watching the world go by and not listen to News frenzy, dribble or out of tune songs.
Then, I was at the airport in Kansas City, prepared to fly home on a flight loaded with what I am sure were really good kids, but I was reaching my limit of “time spent with humans”. Nearly 4 hours in the air, and then another 100 miles to drive and get home about midnight (Central Standard Time), and in bed by 1 am…
A really long day traveling!
I have some thoughts about the experience. Most of traveling is enjoyable except for the time spent migrating through airports. Two hours early and too many issues with security checks, crowds and then waiting for something to happen. It’s hard to get comfortable with the temperature. It’s hard to turn off the noise. It’s hard dealing with all the smells of other peoples perfume dousing. Don’t get me started about the expensive offering of “food barely edible”!
If the destination was exotic,
then maybe I wouldn’t mind.
Otherwise, give me the open road!
Again. I’m not complaining, but there is so much more fun to be had dealing with the road traveling public than with waiting at the airport, and being cramped into seats and aisles on the airport.
Experiencing the day while on the road gave me more opportunity to not simply count the miles, but enjoy the sites and experience the surroundings.
Example: Mid-morning, Wednesday. Approaching Kansas City. The skies turn dark, the wind whips to a frenzy, and the water begins to churn out of the sky. My wipers are going full time attempting to keep up with the volume of water, and then I hear some hail (I think) tap the top of my ride. Quickly. Pull to the side of the road, under the overpass, and wait it out… A total blast! 18 wheelers not slowing down just a few feet away. A motorcyclist stranded! Then people get out of their cars for pictures and a smoke.
Can you spell it with me? D-I-S-A-S-T-E-R awaiting an inerrant or inattentive driver. I quickly became disillusioned with the experience and chanced the weathered road.
Now, that’s something you cannot do under the watchful eye of TSA and other security measures at the airport…Escape! You are stuck!
Everything makes you want to run far, far away, and enjoy your most favorite place in the world!
Here’s my thought today. What’s you most favorite place in the world? You know, that place you want to go to and seldom venture out from?
I could describe a boyhood place I thoroughly enjoyed, but we all know you can never go back. That place exists only in your past and present day memories.
I could describe the mystique of a destination once enjoyed, but most of us still want to see more. You will find similar places elsewhere in the world … and maybe even better than what you are thinking.
It’s sad to think some only want the noise and crowd, and a shopping experience, but you cannot fault them for at least knowing what they want.
Listen to this song sung by Doris Day in Calamity Jane back in 1953. Black Hills Of Dakota She sings about knowing the place she loves and enjoying even when she’s far away.
Can you hope and dream for a place you’ve never been? Or, do you simply stay satisfied with a place you know from your past?
I think it all changes when you begin to understand that nothing here will compare to heaven! In fact, will the splendor of heaven be comparable to simply be with the one who saved us?
“In my Father’s house are many mansions:
if it were not so, I would have told you.
I go to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come again, and receive you unto myself;
that where I am, there ye may be also.”
John 14:2-3 (KJV)
Heaven will be a blessing, but the main reward will be the to simply be in his presence! Why? I think he understands when he focuses our attention something more important than a place. Whatever you may think, heaven will be more about him than simply being in a magical, mystical, or something out of this world!
Heaven. We should think Jesus. Not the fancy surroundings, but to simply know we have arrived, and he’s the most important blessing we could have!