The Motor Head and the Flower Nut

Hurrying through my weekly grocery shopping the other day something caught my attention…It was a whole isle of red & white gift items for Valentine’s Day. Then it dawned on me; “Oh yeah, that’s this week already!” The candy conversation hearts were already sold out so I continued the rest of my shopping. Driving home I found my mind going back almost thirty-nine years. It was June 14, 1977 I was sixteen years old. A friend and I were camping in a small resort town about seventy-five miles away from our hometown. She and I spent the whole day relaxing on the beach. After supper we decided to get cleaned up and drive around town.

Back in the 70’s it was common for teenagers to cruise around town in their vehicles, music blaring from the FM radio and the summer breeze blowing through our hair. After an hour or so we pulled up to a 4-way stop. There caddy corner at the other stop was a shiny red pick up truck with two very handsome young men in it. The passenger leaned out his window and said, “Hey, do you two want to go for a ride with a couple really nice guys?” We said, “Sure!”

*I need to interject here that this was nearly forty years ago…times were different and I would not advocate getting into a vehicle with a stranger today especially.

As it turns out the driver was the son of a local pastor. His passenger became my date for the evening. His name was Randy. We drove around a little while and then stopped at a local drive in and got a root beer. We said our goodbyes and my friend and I figured that that would be the last time we ever saw our “beach boys.” However, the next day as we were packing up to head back home that same red pick up pulled into the camp ground. “I just wanted to say goodbye” Randy said. My heart skipped a beat as he wrote down his phone number and address and told me we should write to each other.

Fast forward several months and several horrendously high telephone bills Randy and I began “going steady.” Although we lived seventy-five miles apart our parents allowed us to see each other on weekends. Randy began taking me to church with him. I remember sitting there listening to the pastor teach and my heart felt like a sponge. He spoke about having a relationship with God rather than religious tradition or repetition. Randy would ask me, “Do you know without a doubt that you will go to heaven when you die? Have you asked Jesus to be the Lord of your life?” At first I was confused. “It can’t be that easy.” I would say. Randy showed me Romans 10:9

“… if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

“Well, I’m a nice person. I don’t steal, I haven’t murdered anyone.” Then he showed me Romans 3:23

“..for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”

One evening, in October of 1979 I sat at home alone in the living room of my parents farm I looked up and said. “Lord, I don’t fully understand everything about having a personal relationship with you. But I really want to know you. Please forgive me and come into my heart.” At that moment a flood of peace came over me that I have no words to express. I found a love beyond any love two humans could have for each other. It was the love of my creator, the One who knew me even before I was born. The One who had a plan for my life.. and it was a good plan.

Randy and I married in July 1981. We have different pass times. Randy loves drag races, car shows and Nascar. I can spend hours planting and transplanting flowers with no other sound around me except the songs of the birds in the trees. But, we also love taking walks and spending time with family. We have traveled many roads together. Most were wonderful, others were rough, lonely and dark. But through it all our wonderful savior, Jesus Christ, has seen us through. Not one time has He left our side.
This blog is basically a love story. It is a two-fold love story. There was a time in my life when I felt unlovable, useless, and ugly. I cried out to God the only way I knew how. He heard me and He answered me. I thought all I needed was a man to love me. But God knew that I needed much more than that. I needed to know that Jesus Christ loves me.

As this Valentines Day approaches my friends, I don’t know what you may be facing today. But there is One who does know. He knows you, and He is waiting right there beside you with His arms open wide. There can be a new day tomorrow, a new start. Don’t give up now, you’re answer is just around the corner. Reach out for Him and the Love your heart is really searching for will be found.

“For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” Matthew 7:8