Traveling the Rock Road

Recently as I going through some old pictures this one jumped out to give a good laugh. Good gracious, was I ever really that young and that skinny! But I remember well the moment mom took this photo; I was being allowed to talk to my Uncle Clyde who lived in Baltimore MD. In this communication age that we now live in, receiving a call anywhere in the country or even the world is not that uncommon, and for some an everyday occurrence. But back in the late 50s, early 60s a long distance phone call was made or received only on special occasions like birthdays, holidays or if someone had to be urgently reached; it was a luxury my small family just couldn’t afford to do often. So when the phone rang I would hurry to get to it first and see if it was someone special from out state.  Just to hear a familiar voice of an extended family member would send my spirits soaring. Just think, there were people who lived far away that knew and cared for me, and I was talking to them in the dining room of our house. Awesome!

Again I found myself chuckling as my mind compared then to now. Not only to communicate with people across the globe on the regular basis, or if someone needed to get in contact with me there are several phone numbers, emails and other outlets they can use to find me almost instantaneously. Back then you had two methods, snail mail or that black rotary phone that most of the time sat silent. I suppose that’s what made it so special; someone really had to make an effort if they wanted to communicate with another far off. I only know that effort and communication brought great joy to that skinny little guy there.

Flash forward some ten years where in that brief moment of time I went from that boy to a teenager playing drums in a band that performed at clubs and other adult entertainment establishments. To some that might sound pretty exciting for a young man beginning to make his mark in the world and in some ways it was. While on stage, life was great and I enjoyed what I was doing. But the moment the music ended and I stepped away from the drum set the setting became strange, almost unfriendly in the midst of the noise and commotion that comes with being thrust into an adult world too early in life. Depression would set in and all I wanted was to get away from everyone and be alone in quiet solitude. So I’d take walks into the night just to be alone in my misery. I wanted to talk to someone about how I was feeling but there just wasn’t anyone who I felt would understand.

Then there it was standing on a corner; a glass box 3 foot square and 7 foot tall, and it was calling to me. “Operator, I want to make a collect call to 219-332-8866; my name is Johnny Miller.” My Aunt Pearl hardly let the operator say who it was before telling her to put the call through. “Johnny, are you alright?” At first the words wouldn’t come, only a heavy sob, partly in anxiousness and partly in joy that I was hearing a voice that cared and loved me. I don’t know how long I spent on the phone that night talking and listening to my beloved Pearl as she consoled and encouraged me, but it was enough to brighten my spirits when I headed back to the club. The two biggest factors were that I had been with someone who cared for me and the 2^nd; she made me promise I would call again the next night. Life was good because I was reconnected to someone who loved me.

Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Years ago when I trusted Christ as my Savior I came to understand early that it wasn’t enough to live a happy and victorious life; I had to “present my request,” I had to stay in communication with the One who loved me. No matter what happened, my Lord was always there; I just wasn’t picking up the phone, or in other words, calling out to Him in prayer for strength, support, love. This also I will tell you that when I make that long distance call by stating, “Dear Lord, here I am and I need you,” daily and talk to Him about anything and everything; my world and life are more complete and joyous. I have the knowledge there’s “Someone” out there that loves this “Traveler of the Rock Road.

Once again I’m talking in the realm of faith; after all praying isn’t like talking to another human being, there has to be that belief that God is there to answer when you call.  I think that can best be related as one person put it. “Faith is like WIFI. It’s invisible, but it has the power to connect you to what you need.”

Make that long distance call, there’s a Loving God ready to pickup and listen immediately.  Trust me if I didn’t know it worked I wouldn’t tell you so.

See ya next time.