Tuesday
Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Psalm 37:4-6 (NIV)
The sun came out and so did we! When the clouds parted about ten this morning, we headed off on the motorcycles. Riding on the back of my husband’s bike only accentuates the differences between our personalities. He likes to ride hard and fast with no care where he’s headed. He just likes the ride. I, on the other hand, read all the guidebooks six months before we go out of town. By the time we leave, I have an itinerary all planned. When we travel in the car, I can usually whine loud enough to make him stop at at least half of the places I would like to see. When we are on the motorcycle, the engine makes it difficult to communicate. It makes for interesting conversation when his bladder or stomach finally makes him pull over. “Oh, I’m sorry; you wanted to stop back there? I didn’t hear you. No, I didn’t see the sign.” It makes for a cranky passenger. My neck hurts from whiplash as I try to view the scenery. While I know I can’t stop every five minutes or we won’t get anywhere, I would like to take a picture at an occasional overlook or stop in a shop for a postcard. Today, I tried to control our route, but he was not paying attention. Husband and I almost had a knock down drag out after he sped up and took a wrong turn so I missed a sign to an old country store. I think our friends might have been taken aback at the level of venom spewing forth between us. I threw my hands and tour book in the air, got on the bike and vowed not to say another word. Until several wrong turns added up to take us back to my preplanned route. Then, I couldn’t resist pointing out the sights until he “accidentally” took another detour. He has always been a rebel. I am not sure our friends will be willing to go back out with us again tomorrow. We saw all the country roads around North Georgia at least twice today as we took in the historic towns of Morganton, Suches, Dalonega, Cleveland, and Helen and the observatory and museum at Brasstown Bald. The maples, sourgum and dogwood are red and golden against the green of the evergreens. Despite the conflict, it was a beautiful day of riding. I love the wind in my face and the ability to smell the different scents as we pass. Except the numerous chicken farms. Those it is okay to speed right on by. My frustration with my husband made me think about how God must feel about me. He knows the best way for me to go that will bring me joy and peace, but I have my own ideas and take off going fast and furious the opposite direction. After a few wrong turns, I submit and go His way and the scenery is always superb when I do.
Wednesday
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 (NIV)
As much as I enjoy riding on the motorcycle, sometimes, it is necessary for a man to take off and ride unencumbered by the weight of his wife and all her baggage. I would have loved to ride with him all day, but today, as the men headed north to ride the Dragon’s Tail, they left their women behind in Andrews, North Carolina. I rode on the back as far as Andrews while Penny followed us in the truck. Then, he booted me to the curb and P.and I went shopping. But, not before I left him with a map and an itinerary! He and R.nodded politely as I gave them directions to the Dragon’s Tail and then, Cherahola Skyway. I’m such a control freak. Then, P.and I hit the stores. After seeing what Andrews held, we came back to Blue Ridge where I bought more apples and jams and some alpaca wool for my felting friends and me to use. That purchase was bittersweet as five years ago when husband and I came up here for a visit we stayed at a bed and breakfast on an alpaca farm. The owner, Mr. Berns, was a delightful man. He was a great host, cooking delicious breakfasts for us each day and spending time talking with us and helping us find our way around. We enjoyed our stay at the inn because of Mr. Berns. He was so proud of his farm and the products he produced. His fiber business was just getting started. His major concern was his wife’s health as she was battling breast cancer. We were privileged to pray with them and ask God to bless them and have His will in their lives before we left. A few years later, we heard Mr. Berns had died of a heart attack. Though his wife survived and has a clean bill of health, his daughter and son-in-law moved to Blue Ridge to take over the farm. So, meeting her and seeing the store that Mr. Berns worked so hard to create was both sad and joyful. When we got back to the cabin, the guys were still not back. After an hour passed beyond the time they estimated for their return, I began to worry. My cell phone does not work here and I did not think to give them the cabin phone number. There was no way to reach us if an emergency occurred. My stomach tied in knots and then, I thought about Mr. Berns with his life all planned out. His wife was ill, but still he trusted God. No one would have thought he would die before her. I can’t help but think about that controlling streak in me, always wanting to plan. Yet, the future comes with only one guarantee. No matter what may come, God will always be with me. Nothing can separate me from His love, not even death. Mr. Berns knew that. Someday, we’ll talk about it again.
PS The guys made it back fine.
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