Traveling the Rock Road

Maybe it was the way I was raised that brought about the feelings and connections I have with a few people. No brother, sisters, grandparents or even a dad, the only immediate family was my mom; a great aunt and great uncle to fill the void.

Then there were aunts, uncles and cousins that I had as relatives and loved, but all of them lived far away from me and at best I only got to see any of them once a year. So perhaps that is the reason I bonded with a few people that became more than friends, they were the family I never had. These few have known me for the better part of my life, they’re people that if I didn’t see them for years I could still reconnect with at any point and we could continue the same as if time had never passed.

One such person was a young man I met in the 7^th grade back in ‘67. The only thing we had in common was a love for playing music as I was a drummer and he played guitar, but that was enough to start a friendship that’s lasted 48 years now. During this nearly half decade the two us had quite a few adventures, playing music, traveling, and even sharing apartments. Also along the way we’ve shared laughter, sorrow, pain, successes, setbacks and achievements; but I think the favorite element to life we experienced together is talking about our dreams. I believe the true test of how strong a relationship you have with another is the ability to confide in them your deepest thoughts and yearnings, knowing they can be trusted to keep them private to everyone else.

That’s the way it’s been with my man Lynn starting as young teenagers and here we are now on the threshold of becoming senior citizens. It’s certainly been great knowing I can drop in on him without prior notice for some conversation, maybe a little golf down the road from his place, back to the house to beat on a couple of guitars playing every C.C.R. song our memories can call up, finally out to the barn with Mr. Sam Adams, watching the moon rise, talking and remembering. To me that’s a friend, family, a brother; someone who’s always there for you.

Saying all that, you can imagine my sense of urgency and fear when I was informed yesterday Lynn had suffered a heart attack and was being kept in a sedated sleep in a Toledo Hospital, then to hear this morning things had taken a turn for the worst and he may not make it, even with surgery. “Wait a minute, NO, this isn’t happening! I’ve lost many loved ones over three scores of existence, most recent the closest cousin I had in the world, but not this one God. We’ve gone through too much together for it to end now when there is so much more left to do and accomplish. For Pete sakes, we’ve haven’t made it to the nursing home yet where we were going to chase residents and nurses in our motorized wheelchairs equipped with stereo systems playing Steppenwolf’s “Born to be Wild!”

That was a quick conversation I had with God, also reminding Him of Lynn’s wife, children, grandkids and a great grandchild; he’s still needed by many, including yours truly. When my short rant was over, I sat quietly and sometimes quiet can be thunderously loud, especially when God is saying “Be still and listen.”

It was then my heart, mind and ears were flooded with; “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”

The reality came to me that Lynn and I also shared something else, a belief and hope in Jesus Christ as Savior. Then that little voice was back again, “So John, what is it, are you trusting in Me or just practicing a religion?” I use that term a lot and it can be real aggravating when God uses it as a tool to get my attention, and kick me in the butt!

There was a peace that came over me, one that I’ve experienced on other occasions when brought to the point of saying, “Lord no matter what, I will trust in you.”

As I have explained what made Lynn closer than a brother, these few words are what makes a faith into something real, it’s either all or nothing; I choose all in Christ.

“We must cease striving and trust God to provide what He thinks is best and in whatever time He chooses to make it available. But this kind of trusting doesn’t come naturally. It’s a spiritual crisis of the will in which we must choose to exercise faith.” Charles R. Swindoll

My prayer now is, “Lord, in Jesus name, please heal Lynn; but no matter what, I will trust you. Amen”

Sometimes “Traveling the Rock Road” can wear me down, get the best of me and even make me want to stop the journey; but I know who waits for me at the end, that makes it all the more worthwhile!

As for my friend, my brother and fellow sojourner Lynn, well while writing this I’ve received word that he came through surgery well and is now headed to recovery. Tears are now falling making it hard to finish this, but they’re happy, elated, and rejoicing tears! Good Lord’s will, I’ll head over later this week to see my buddy.

Maybe we’ll make future plans to purchase those Harley Wheelchairs with the high powered stereos. What da ya think Steppenwolf, or something for subtle?

Steppenwolf it is!!! See ya next time.