CRUISING
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I like to go fast, always have. I don’t mean “like” as if to enjoy a pastime, I mean “like” as in weakness or addiction. Oh, I enjoy it too. It’s just that I don’t have a choice in this type of matter. It’s almost as if there’s a switch with no gearing, it’s either on or it’s off, nothing in between.
If I’m moving, I’m going fast. I didn’t think that’s how it was going to be… I remember watching American Graffiti as a kid and thinking, “Man that’s cool”! – “I can’t wait to go cruising when I grow up”!! The grand anticipation finally came for me to take my turn cruising.
In those days, all the kids in and around Phoenix met downtown to “Cruise Central,” the main road in the city that separated the streets from the avenues. It eventually changed locations to “Cruising Metro,” a big shopping mall that had a big loop around it, but cruising was still en vogue for most of the kids, but not for me. I didn’t really appreciate or grasp going slow in a fast car… and I had the speeding tickets to prove it.
Eventually grasping my weakness, I began to make a few changes. The lightning fast motorcycle that struggled to keep the front wheel on the ground and the back wheel from burning rubber, I never straddled again after our youngest daughter was born. I had some crazy fast cars… got rid of them too…
While I don’t fully understand what makes people tick in certain ways that they do, I’ve come to understand that all of us have weaknesses in one way or the other, some are just more obvious than others. And while I’ve made massive strides with God-given age and wisdom, the truth is I still struggle and go too fast in most ways possible.
Regardless of our weaknesses, we have all been given the gift of free will to use in life that will have an impact on our lives one way or the other. The same powerful gift that lost people mistake for being “as gods, we get to use in order to choose the destination of our souls.
It’s easy to make our lives into an analogy of cruising. We’re all moving through this physical world and our soul cages will wear and become obsolete like the muscle cars of days gone by. The old cars fill the junk yards, and the old mixed with some young people fill the cemeteries.
Nothing on this earth lasts forever, cruising is proof of that… The days of driving slowly and interacting with other people who appreciate automobiles and spending time with friends has all but died. I was reminded of the recent past history of our society and cruising.
I was in Williams Arizona, an original town on old Route 66 where I-40 passes south of the Grand Canyon. The pictures of bygone days show how changing and temporary our world is. In hindsight I wish I would have taken the time to enjoy cruising… my chance is over now…
Funny how the ones who like to go fast through life seem to use theirs up a little faster than the ones who enjoy the moments standing still.
There was an old 50’s style coffee house on the old Route 66 main drag… I wanted to have a cup of coffee and take in the nostalgia…
I just didn’t have time…
Sunday, June 24, 2012 @ 9:41 pm
Floyd,
I’m sitting here reading your blog on cruising and going fast, with my honey. So naturally if I want to get this posted tonight,I am going to have her type for me.
This is a real funny story that follows the story of my life. My youngest son and I have a real bad addiction, we are buildaholics. We have built some unbelievably fast vehicles, one design, the military was even interested in. It was stupid fast. It was an extraction vehicle for the military, anyway before all this came about,we had this truck we worked on for some dude with alot of money, all we had to do was tell him we needed a certain part to make it go fast and we could get it. We all get such a kick out of going across the desert at a buck twenty to thirty over 3 to 5 foot whoops with a 900 horse motor. Anyway my youngest son and I had this plan, I have a little brother that loves speed, so I just knew I could get him hooked and while I got him hooked, I just knew he would have to get his adrenaline fix. So we came up with this plan to give him a ride in one of the trucks. My son in law has been driving these sort of vehicles since he was a little kid, so naturally he would be the one to take my little brother on his maiden voyage of off road racing ( real off road racing ). Helmets, 5 point harness, fire suppressed system, the works. My little brother asked why do I need a helmet? I told him, this is the real deal dude, you need to get the whole effect so you can really enjoy it. I just knew my plan was about to work. After all my little brother went to the big city and made it real big, I mean real big, so I knew sponsoring just a little transmission for our own personal rig would be peanuts. I looked at my son in law, and told him, don’t drive like your in a race, just show him what these trucks can do, and he said with great respect, okay Bob. So off they went! About 10 minutes later they came back, I knew something was wrong when I didn’t see that —- eating grin on my brothers face. My smile went to ” Oh No”. Was the ride disappointing? Was it not long enough? My little brother gets out, looks at us, and says ” You are all idiots”. He looked at my son in law, and asked him ” does someone ride with you in these trucks?”My son in law replied… “Yes, my Dad”. My little brother said, ” your Dad’s an idiot too”. Then my little brother said,” I would have felt more in control in an alley with 5 big dudes trying to stomp me, I could handle that,but when your sitting in the passenger side you have absolutely no control,”. Then I replied to my little brother, when I want to get an adrenalin fix I have my son in law take me for a ride. So I guess there is a deeper lesson on this need for speed. I still struggle with it myself, it might have a little to do with us thinking we are in control, when sometimes we would be better off letting someone else take the wheel because I definatley know my little brother had a need for speed but I also know that need was also to be in control.I guess the lesson in life here is.. when we come to a point in our lives when we can honestly let God take control, then we can just kick back and cruise like we have never cruised before. Awesome post Little Brother. Love ya Bobby.
Monday, June 25, 2012 @ 7:51 am
Wow… You hit the nail on the head Bobby. It was just that; my need to be in control… even if it meant probably losing my life. I’m not sure of the reasons people are the way they are, why God wires, or allows certain things in life to happen to develop the way we are, but I can’t hide from that truth. You always did know how to see the basics or foundation of any scenario… You’re a wise man, even if you are a buildaholic!
Oh, and sorry for calling you and the others idiots… it’s a family weakness…
Thanks for taking the time to make a point, it’s well taken.
I love you too big brother.
Sunday, June 24, 2012 @ 10:51 pm
Ha ha! We Lke Mel’s Diner in Jackson for nostalgia. Randy used to race in S. Cal with a dragster he built. One day, he just knew he was done and that was it.
Same with the radio controlled warships he built and ran on a pond, shooting at other such ships until they sank.
There are times and seasons. Some never to return. The rain and storms will come and go, but that which is built on solid ground will last and last and last…and be passed on as worthwhile and worthy to the next generation.
Monday, June 25, 2012 @ 7:55 am
That is true wisdom Nancy, the things of true and lasting value are the things of God to be passed on to the next generation. What else matters? The actions of our lives that point to the eternal things have a deeper gratification for our souls. Well said Nancy, thanks.
Monday, June 25, 2012 @ 2:24 am
never cruised. Never had my own car. Sort of hard to cruise in a station wagon. Plus I could barely afford to put gas in the car when I did drive my parents’ wagon. How’s that for a date magnet? 🙂 Good point though Floyd. The need to slow down in life.
Monday, June 25, 2012 @ 7:58 am
Too funny Bill! Good thing you didn’t meet your wife in high school!
I have to remind myself to slow down constantly, it is definitely a weak point. Thanks Bill.
Monday, June 25, 2012 @ 7:09 am
I understand the need for speed…but mine tends to be in my daily living. I am so thankful that in the past four years God has been teaching me to stop and smell the roses.
I used to hurry so fast, moving to the next project before I could even appreciate what was before me.
I used to wonder what was wrong with me, why didn’t I experience the joy others did at their accomplishments?
God showed me it was because I was too busy, before I had even completed a task I was already 5 steps ahead, working on my next goal. That really robbed me of so much joy. I can’t get those moments back, but I can slow down now…but only with God’s help.
Ever hear the old country song, “I’m in a hurry to get things done. I rush and rush until life’s no fun. All I really gotta do is live and die. I’m in a hurry and don’t know why.”
That could be my theme song!
Monday, June 25, 2012 @ 8:01 am
I have heard that song, I think it’s by Alabama. We’re cut from the same mold TC, I have the same tendencies. Straining for gratification in works leaves the soul without any real peace and joy. But we both know God has His reasons for why He hardwires people a certain way! Thanks TC.
Monday, June 25, 2012 @ 2:37 pm
Yep. I used to wonder why I am the way I am. Now that I’m older I’m less concerned with the why and more concerned with what God wants me to do with it.
Monday, June 25, 2012 @ 5:28 pm
I’m with you TC, although I still wonder…!
Monday, June 25, 2012 @ 10:22 am
Thank God, Jesus died on the cross for my sin and weaknesses. Great thoughts.
Monday, June 25, 2012 @ 11:01 am
That sums it up perfectly Dan!
Monday, June 25, 2012 @ 4:20 pm
You are crusing my brother…God seems to be pouring out of your heart some great anologies…ones the young and old really can relate to. My goodness this thing of “control” propped up with pride is the core of sin.
They use to call my husband A.J. Folt…he lost all sense of speed behind the wheel of a car. We too had our moto cycle days…still get cold chills when a big one rolls up beside us. Wonder if my hand sprayed butterfly decal black helment is stuck in some thrift store now marked “antique?”
One thing for sure speed makes for more stress. I am such a “get it done” yesterday person…Martha could be my middle name. Yeah that would be my regret…all the things I have missed in the name of “I need to be in control.”
Aging makes us put the brakes on…resist speed here on earth…my favorite expression now is…why are we in a hurry?
Good post Floyd…the time you put into this post and others you will never regret. Blessings.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012 @ 10:33 am
A black helmet huh? That sounds pretty cool. I think that “get it done yesterday,” personality really is a gift from God, but like most gifts, we tend to begin to worship the gifts instead of the Giver.
I know I’ve written it, but it deserves repeating, you have a comfortable way with words that impresses life’s lessons upon the reader. I’m thankful for it. Thanks Betty. And thanks for the encouragement.
Monday, June 25, 2012 @ 6:20 pm
I was too busy doing homework and didn’t have a car to do any crusing. Not so fast is my motto even today. Robert never cruised either, as he did not have a car until we were married. My husband learned the hard way to slow down by getting too many tickets and the Judge took his liscense except for his bosses work truck. At that time he worked for Jerry Collette, and was allowed to use his truck to get home. Otherwise to drive to church, it was me that drove the car much to his embarrassment. When the six months was up, he was a changed man, and now always watches the speed limit.
Monday, June 25, 2012 @ 7:58 pm
I can’t count the tickets I’ve had in my life, I do okay for a while, but it ends up getting the best of me. Cruise control helps!
Robert and I have much in common! I too need to learn to slow down in all aspects of my life.
Monday, June 25, 2012 @ 8:34 pm
Floyd… you are cruising my brother for the Lord…I need to let my husband read this one as he too had a very heavy foot. I am thankful for cruise control and thankful he is not too proud to use it.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012 @ 6:48 am
Thanks for sharing this with your husband Betty! I think a lot of us can relate to this… but it’s not just in cars where we go to fast. That’s one of the points I was trying to make, think I missed it by a bit.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012 @ 8:53 am
Oh I think we all got the “control” point…which is what drives us to speed through so much in life. If I have a major regret it’s trying to be in control so much and not resting in God’s speed. Goodness He could have created the world with one quick snap of His Holy fingers. Instead took all those days…think He was enjoying Himself…sin makes us snap our fingers instead of loving with open hands. We got it brother, we got it.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012 @ 8:56 am
I always appreciate your wise and comforting words Betty, what a wonderful gift it is. “Resting in God’s speed,” and “we got it brother.” Warming… Thank you sister.
Monday, June 25, 2012 @ 10:03 pm
Thank you for sharing this story too – at Tell me a True Story! We love those true stories!
Tuesday, June 26, 2012 @ 6:49 am
Thanks for being a gracious hostess Hazel!
Tuesday, June 26, 2012 @ 1:28 pm
This is good, Floyd. I always want to get to the destination. Married to a guy who always enjoyed cruisin! A few years back, on our way to visit friends in Bullhead City, we ventured off onto Rt.66 and boy, was it fun. Slower, yes, but we had some good conversations and the diners are awesome. I’m so glad I didn’t say no that time. There was a lesson in it for me to submit not only to him, but God, who gave us a beautiful scenic route and some calm off the interstate. Have a great week!
Mary
Tuesday, June 26, 2012 @ 8:44 pm
Isn’t that how it usually works? When we roll with the flow life is so much more enjoyable… We’re a funny lot! Yeah, it is pretty cool down on the old Route 66… Thanks Mary.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012 @ 7:34 pm
Slowing down has always been a challenge for me. I learned to be ready to “exit” from childhood forward due to the intensity of my family. Running from place to place was my life. Even as I have aged… big time… I have a knee-jerk reputation if anyone needs immediate emergency help. Sometimes I try to take a casual walk… doesn’t last long. Gotta move along. So, when I age much further, wonder what will happen both outside and inside. [If I can speed to heaven that would be a good thing.”]
Wednesday, June 27, 2012 @ 9:00 pm
I’m tellin’ ya, we’re to peas in a pod! Sometimes when I try to slow down, I find it impossible… My flesh is weak and the next thing you know I’m doing warp speed, in a vehicle or in my mind. We have our good points, but like all good things; too much of it and it becomes a liability. Only God can fix this huh? …. Rhetorical question…
Thanks Joanne.
Wednesday, June 3, 2015 @ 6:17 pm
I reread it AND I often think of taking the “cruise” to heaven…and the birds can fly along with it. I smile often when thinking of all of that. Serving and worshiping and focusing on the Lord is all that counts. You made me smile AGAIN! That’s a really good thing, so I can grin and grin some more. Bless you, Bro.
Monday, February 29, 2016 @ 6:09 pm
This one was shared again just because. I love this story.
Monday, February 29, 2016 @ 11:06 pm
That adrenaline rush alone is already addicting. I do enjoy taking the time and really reveling in the moment.
I appreciate your honesty. 🙂