Life in The Fast Lane!

Today, I got a taste of The Slow Lane.

Our fishing trip this morning on Lake Nippising in North Bay, Ontario was so slow it was nonexistent.  We arrived at the marina at the appointed time — 7:30 AM — and met our fishing guide.  He had tried to call us, but just got voicemail.  He had to tell us the bad news:  Small craft weather warning — 27 mph gusts, white caps, threatening storms.  Too rough to go out.

I really liked him, Lord.  Retired for just a year, guiding now as a hobby.  He was deputy fire chief in this area for many years. He spent many an hour out in rough conditions like this, rescuing ignorant or foolhardy boaters.  We all laughed about how embarrassing it might be if he turned out to be the one who needed rescuing today!  🙂

We all need rescuing from time to time… don’t we, Lord?

“Your faith in God has become known everywhere… you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead — Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.”  (1 Thessalonians 1:8b,9b,10)

As a result of our fishing cancellation, we were able to get an early start on our drive today.  Good thing… since our imagined four-hour drive became more like seven.  No matter.  Now tomorrow’s drive back into Michigan will be that much shorter!

After nestling safely into our trailer park near London, Ontario, we decided to take a bike ride.  Once again, we entered The Slow Lane… with a 2.2 mile uphill ride! If gears are any measure, we were in gears 2-1 and 1-1 most of the way up. But WE MADE IT!

“… we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character, and character, hope.  And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”  (Romans 5:3-5)

On the way up the hill, we went by some Amish farms.  The Slow Lane, on steroids!  And I say this with great respect!

I got to thinking:  What would it be like to do without so many of the modern conveniences I take for granted?  Yet, it is a simpler life… though, I’m sure, harder in some ways, too. Growing my own food the “old fashioned” way — with blood, sweat and tears.  Horse-drawn plows and carriages, etc… as if I had fallen into a “rabbit hole” and come out in the year 1840.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”  (Galatians 6:9)

I couldn’t ponder this long, because we had to decide on our next route.  We had stopped at an intersection with a stop sign. We decided to turn right onto a two-lane road and go what seemed like a short distance to the nearby town, so we could explore.

That was before we saw the speed limit — 80 kilometers per hour, or approximately 50 miles per hour!!!  With NO bike lane???  But we were committed!  Too late to turn back!

Talk about The Fast Lane!!!  It is only by Your Grace, Lord, that I am still alive to type this blog tonight!  I didn’t know huge 18-wheel trucks could get that close without actually hitting us!

“The Lord will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard.”  (Isaiah 52:12b)

What had started out as a quiet, “slow lane” ride through the countryside had turned into a “fast lane” Canadian version of the hit TV show, Survivor!  Out of sheer self-preservation, we decided to retrace our steps and get back on those “slow lane” country roads.

There are advantages to that Slow Lane… aren’t there, Lord?  Some people think a time is coming when we will, by necessity, have to go “off the grid” — to do without electricity and other such modern advancements.  If that happened, most Amish families wouldn’t even blink!  Maybe they’d be teaching the rest of us The Basics — Survival 101.

“And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.”  (1 Thessalonians 5:14)

The Fast Lane has its moments, too.  Like the Internet… to name just one!  What an awesome, vast source of information right at our fingertips! Even allowing people from halfway around the world to read this blog!   Mind-boggling!  And surely it will have a significant role, Lord, as time winds to a close…

“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”  (Matthew 24:14)

Maybe I’m more of a medium-speed girl?  🙂   All I know is… I’m taking the Slow Lane to Dreamland tonight, because today’s Fast Lane experience was exhausting!

Is there a message here?

Abba’s Girl

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