Traveling the Rock Road

Back in 1975, I was a full-time student plus I worked part time, plus anything I could do to keep money coming in. Cathy worked a full-time at a job that didn’t pay much. Together we generated enough money to make ends meet. Times were tough but not terrible. We had to watch every dollar we spent just to make it from one payday to another. The real problem came when our car tore up to a point where it wasn’t worth getting it fixed. So, we had to finance a replacement vehicle. A 1969 emerald green VW Beetle. It was a nice car, but now with the added payout each month we were down to little or no extra money for the week. Back then our date-nite consisted of a couple of sodas and a bag of potato chips we’d share while sitting down by Winona Lake. I know it sounded like desperate times back then, but you know what; those were some of the nicest memories we have today.

One day in the Fall my Aunt Pearl called asking if we would consider coming to her house in West Virginia for Thanksgiving. I explained to her we’d love to but just didn’t have the money to make the trip. “Now you know,” she said. “You know if you can get here, I’ll get you back.” I loved that woman! It was the break we needed from our rugged routine. “Country Roads, Take Me Home!” The Wednesday before Thanksgiving we loaded the car and with the $40 we were able to scrape together headed south. For you younger readers in ‘75 you could drive across the country with 40 bucks. Oh, the times, they have changed! Everything was going well, that is until we were on U.S. Highway 52 near the Ohio River. Our bug suddenly lost all power and I had to coast over to the shoulder. I got out and looked at the engine, and really not knowing what I’d could do anyway. Freezing cold I climbed back into the car where Cathy was waiting with anxiousness written all over face.

So, here we were 200 miles from our destination, 200 miles from home, 200 miles from where our parents lived in Fremont. This was well before cell phones. So, we were basically stuck in the middle of the night on a lonely highway. We had one recourse at our disposal. Pray! “Lord, I don’t know what to do, but we sure could use some help right now.” There wasn’t anything left to do, just sit there waiting for the unknown and hope we didn’t freeze to death.

A few minutes later I noticed a flashing patrol car had pulled in behind us. The officer came up to the window and asked what was wrong and we told him. Next thing I knew he had the hood up and was trying to fix the car. He spent a good deal of time out there in the frigid weather, but to no avail. He then had us get into his patrol car and took us back to a hotel that had a gas station next door. He told us; “They don’t open until morning, but I’ll get ahold of someone and they’ll help you out.

So, we went into the hotel only to find out a room was more than we had. We must have looked pretty rough; the gal behind the counter took compassion on us. “You two can stretch out on the couches here if you like.” So that’s what we did and got a little sleep. When morning came, the day staff came in and the desk clerk told them of our situation. Before long they brought us coffee and pastries, free of charge, which were delicious. The service station finally opened so I walked over and discoverd they had already towed our car there.

For the next 5 hours two of them worked diligently on our car. One of them had to drive a half hour away to get parts. Cathy and I were getting nervous. This was not going to be a cheap fix, and I knew the funds we had weren’t nearly enough to cover what the bill was to be. They finished, and the two disappeared into another room to talk. They came out with smiles and handed me the bill. $25!! Happy Thanksgiving!!

Corrie ten Boom is quoted as saying “There is no panic in heaven, no problems caught by surprise. God has your help ready.”

Hebrews 4:16 says: “Approach God’s throne with grace so you may receive help in time of need.”

I’d like to make several points here. First, God is all-knowing and realizes when we need Him. Second, most people are generally good at heart and willing to help when needed. And the third point; I believe God uses good people to do His work even when they don’t realize it. Half a dozen folks came to our rescue when we needed it most. How often does the Lord wait for us to call on Him and then trust Him for the results. I won’t tell you that every situation where I called on God for help was successful, but I have learned to thank our Lord no matter what comes. And perhaps the answer doesn’t come at the time I feel I need it most, but it will and does come, in God’s timing.

Tim Keller: “It’s one thing to be grateful. It’s another to give thanks. Gratitude is what you feel. Thanksgiving is what you do.”

We left and never again saw our friends and fellow “Travelers of the Rock Road.” But I’m convinced, and thankful, God put them there when we needed them most.

Made it to Pearly Mae’s house and we had our Thanksgiving on Friday; one of the best I’ve ever experienced. Sunday rolled around and we were getting ready to head back home up north. Except for one little situation. The biggest snowstorm of the year hit!!!! Oh well; back to the power source. Prayer. That’s a story for another day.

See Ya Next Time!