When it happened last year, we just shared a chuckle and went on with life, but recently it happened twice within the same week over two different destinations, so it seemed to be a parable regarding roads and descriptions. I always appreciate a good road or traffic parable.
Last year, my friend and contributor, Gerry decided to surprise me with a visit. As he got close, he discovered my actual address was not in his GPS coverage, so he called for instructions of the last couple of miles. I gave him the directions with details to watch for and stayed on the phone with him as he identified the markers I'd mentioned, then we lost signal . . . but he didn't arrive . . . He called back and we began again on the "main road." This time the initial turn was where the error had taken place, and in a matter of minutes he was rolling into the Land of Goshen. We got busy with our greetings, etc. and never gave any more thought to the mix-up. He's since visited again and clearly now, knows his way to the place.
This year it happened again with a gentleman looking for his friend Bob. They were going to go fishing. As it turns out, there was even a great coincidence in that Mr. B's name is Bob. The gentleman had the instructions written down . . . every detail was the same, rock road, cow trail between two sheds . . . past a green gate . . . etc. The man called his friend to see what happened and once again, the only difference was in the first turn. It would seem when turning off the "main blacktop" there are similar homesteads on both ends of this road, or at least, similar landmarks.
The icing on the cake was when I decided to buy some guineas and the place of meeting got changed. I truly do appreciate the fact that these folks saved me several miles to get my guineas, but when the meeting place was determined, there was a misunderstanding. I've never been to any of these local Casinos we have in the area, but the signs are everywhere. So, the lady said, there was a gas station and a convenience store by The Outpost Casino, we'd meet there. I made some mention of the highway being closed for construction. She said, yes, that was as far as you could go . . . Interestingly, as we all realized 40 minutes after the appointed meeting time: At the east end of the highway mentioned there is an Outpost Casino sign, a gas station that mentions no company, and a convenience store. The road literally stops in T and a person must turn right or left. At the west end before the construction sign stops all through traffic, there is the actual Outpost Casino, a gas station with no company logo and a convenience store. The sign at one end is only about three miles to the actual Casino. Needless to say, we each waited for the other at opposite ends of that short stretch of road.
I couldn't help but wonder how many of us, in our spiritual walk, are all just sure we are seeing the same things, hearing the same Word, even on a small seemingly narrow road, yet heading completely different directions . . .
No comments:
Post a Comment