Getting A Way Better Life Than You Deserve
So this happened a few days ago:
That’s right. Me and that man in a hot little Porsche. You know –preacher’s salary and a part-time teacher. That’s how we roll.
Or maybe we have generous friends who let us play with their very nice toy for the day.
What you need to know is that in my mind I was looking like one of those beautiful women in an Elvis movie, as we zipped through Glacier National Park in a sports car, but then I saw the picture and realized I wasn’t quite pulling off what I had going in my imagination. More like frumpy, 48-year-old school teacher in a dorky-looking hat. But I do feel better when I remember the nice mom from Colorado who agreed to take our picture. She handed me the camera and said, “I can’t tell if it’s a good picture, because I don’t have my glasses on.” We laughed, and I wonder now if, on the inside, she ever pretends she’s a beautiful actress in an Elvis movie.
Anyway, we spent the perfect summer day driving Going to The Sun Road, all the way to the tip-top of Glacier. At one point, we were slowed down by construction. As we drove past the woman holding the SLOW sign, she looked at us in our little convertible and said, “Fun!” And she just kept shouting as we drove past, “Fun! Fun! Fun!”
Yes, ma’am. All kinds of fun.
Top down and the breeze blowing. The smell of pine trees refreshed our souls. And I’ve never seen the peaks of glacier towering over my head. (Forever now I will carry a little sorrow when I drive through the park enclosed in a plain ol’ sedan.)
Somewhere along the drive I thought, Now this is the gospel.
Two people living the good life way above their paygrade and only because of a generous benefactor.
It takes my mind to Jesus’ words in John 3:16:
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (NIV)
During our drive through the park, I kept thinking, “Yeah, this is a dream. We do not deserve to be in this car.”
Could be that I’ll forevermore associate John 3:16 with our day in the red convertible. I don’t deserve that kind of love, that kind of rescue, that kind of promise.
Knowing Jesus means that in our hearts we become Porsche people: Power when you need it. Engine in the center so you can make tight turns. Great view of life. Feel the wind. All of it unearned.
You know that’s right.
I LOVE this post! All of your devotions are a blessing and yet this one resonated so strong with me this morning.
First of all, you look marvelous in “your” Porsche and to be in a red one to boot is the ultimate. It’s my favorite color; I got married in a red wedding dress, and the joy and gratitude you expressed is palpable.
I love when God gives us those experiences that we could never manifest on our own. He is just like that. Thank you for sharing just such one and for the reminder. 🙂
It was such a fun day -just had to share it. And really -a red wedding dress? 🙂 Thanks for the encouraging word.
The smile on my face this morning? It’s because of you. Thanks for the great reminder of God’s love!
Well you are so welcome, my friend!
?sent this to my husband. He is a Porsche fanatic and has been blessed to own a few. He loved the lines of:
Knowing Jesus means that in our hearts we become Porsche people: Power when you need it. Engine in the center so you can make tight turns. Great view of life. Feel the wind. All of it unearned.
Love your blog! You have such a gift for using words! Thanks for sharing.
I think I could be a Porsche fanatic, too! Thanks for the encouraging words this morning.
You inspire me everyday!!! Thank you, for the spiritual nudge, to remind myself how Great God is!! You have a wonderful way with words!!
Such precious encouragement. Thank you!!
HO! So beautifully said!! Love it!!
Thank you. 🙂