THE GIRL AND THE BUS
I was amused as I watched her at first… She was smack in the middle of one of those moments in life that could be considered a minor dilemma. Funny how those small dilemmas can often turn into catastrophic ones and alter our lives permanently, but I’m getting ahead of myself.
I knew instinctively and immediately that the girl who looked to be in her late twenties wasn’t used to running and she hadn’t planned on it that day. At first she tried to shuffle quickly. That shuffle gave way to a more serious jog, trying to hold herself and her clothes together until about the time I discovered the purpose of her unplanned exercise.
We were both headed east for the moment, me in my truck, her on her shoe leather express. The girl broke into a full-fledged sprint as she prioritized her running verses looking dignified when she realized the city bus had already boarded all the other passengers.
I watched as she left the sidewalk, even though in dress shoes, to four-wheel her way toward the southbound bus stop in a more direct approach; an, “as the crow flies” route. Make no mistake – she wasn’t flying and she wasn’t comfortable. I usually tap my steering wheel in impatience as I wait for stop lights to turn green, but not for that show.
My amusement began to fade as I continued to see the absolute struggle and determination of that young lady. I too run behind often… and I too am frantic to meet my obligations. After all, our obligations and responsibilities help feed us and care for ourselves, and for some of us more importantly, our families.
I rubbernecked back to the south as I passed through the intersection, glancing between the road and traffic in front of me along with the saga of The Girl and the Bus. My amusement was gone. I was rooting for the struggling girl with hopes of her successful bus ride attempt.
I never did see the end of the story, but I think the girl made it… I sure hope so. That girl, like all of us, has no doubt had her share of disappointments in life.
I drove on a little disgusted in my first response of amusement to the Girl and the Bus. I realized that girl just summed up in a simple analogy all of us here on earth who are living and sometimes struggling to meet our desires. We desire protection, provision, fulfillment, happiness, and love. We have to juggle all the different parts of our lives in order to pull it off.
As we rush through this life trying to fulfill the flesh and ignore everything else when it comes time to making that bus, or deal, or meal, or point, or money, or you name it, we’ve really missed the bus altogether. Yes, we need to meet our obligations and keep our word, but how often have we not kept our word to our Father and obligations to others in our life?
Really there’s only one bus we don’t want to miss and that’s the one that takes us to our Father’s house… Our saving grace is the fact that our Father is driving the bus… and He’s not leaving without us… even if we’re late.
Rick Dawson
Tuesday, June 11, 2013 @ 10:28 pm
Yep – you keep on confirming what I saw in your first post. You have an eye for detail, and a heart for God’s family.
Oh, and as Joy might say, “I’m *never* late – I’m right on time. *My* time” seems to sum up folks who run a little late (that would include her 🙂 )
Floyd
Wednesday, June 12, 2013 @ 5:24 pm
Well it’s nice to know that I’m not the only one in the club! Thanks, Rick.
bill (cycleguy)
Wednesday, June 12, 2013 @ 2:05 am
Love seeing things through your eyes Floyd. You have a unique way of seeing people and then making an application. I, too, have run behind. But I have also run ahead and that seems to get me into more trouble than I can imagine.
Floyd
Wednesday, June 12, 2013 @ 5:28 pm
I think with the more experiences in life the more we can relate to others going through the same thing. I don’t usually have that problem of being too early… gotta work on that… but if it’s gonna get me in trouble too? Maybe I should be happy with the weaknesses I have?!! Thanks, Bill.
Betty Draper
Wednesday, June 12, 2013 @ 10:11 am
I am with the guys…you do have an eye for God in details. My husband hates being late so I stick to his time table if at all possible.
You know Martha thought Jesus was late coming to see her already dead brother. A southern gospel song just popped into my head, “Four Days Late”. In the world perspective He was late but in His perspective He was right on time. Good post…gotta go…I am late.
Floyd
Wednesday, June 12, 2013 @ 5:31 pm
Excellent point, Betty! I guess I can relate to people running late. I have gotten better about not scheduling things too tight these days, but there was a time! Thanks, Betty. And nice parting shot with the humor!
tcavey
Wednesday, June 12, 2013 @ 12:55 pm
Entertaining story with a gripping end.
There really is only one bus we should be concerned with “catching”, sadly most of us are so busy with “life” we don’t even realize the bus is passing us by.
Floyd
Wednesday, June 12, 2013 @ 5:33 pm
I’m with you, TC. That was my final take on the matter too. We move at the speed of light with the “next” emergency not realizing the real emergency is within the lost… and sometimes us when we get distracted. Thanks, TC.
Jennifer Dougan
Wednesday, June 12, 2013 @ 2:17 pm
Floyd,
I have been that girl some days too, and still remind myself to slow down.
Fun to peruse back posts too…
Have a great week. Is your web address different? It looks unfamiliar?
Jennifer Dougan
http://www.jenniferdougan.com
Floyd
Wednesday, June 12, 2013 @ 5:44 pm
I’ve been that girl too. It just took me a few seconds to realize that I too have been there and that is just the beginning of usually messed up priorities. “Be still and know that I am God…” Great call, Jennifer. Thanks.
Should be the same address. I haven’t changed anything… I usually let smarter people than me do that!
Hazel Moon
Wednesday, June 12, 2013 @ 6:14 pm
There are a few things worse than missing a bus – and I have missed a few. Missing an opportunity to better one’s self, or missing out on a good event at church, or not taking advantage of an extended hand to become a friend. We all know what the worse thing to miss is – – And that would be heaven because we missed the invitation to receive.
Floyd
Thursday, June 13, 2013 @ 8:53 am
Good list, Hazel. I too have missed many God offered opportunities, but the most important One I didn’t miss! All of those things you described are choices… free will… The best things in LIFE are free! Thanks, Hazel.
Voni Harris
Wednesday, June 12, 2013 @ 6:38 pm
All I can think of is how very many times I’ve been this girl, when a simple 5 minutes earlier would have prevented the whole issue. Of course, we don’t know what happened in her life that cost her those five precious minutes and stole her dignity…
Blessings,
Voni
Floyd
Thursday, June 13, 2013 @ 8:55 am
“Stole her dignity…” Those are powerful words, Voni, and proof that you’ve lived that stress in life. I have too, but have more compassion on those with some of my same attributes or tendencies. Thanks for sharing that, Voni.
Dan Erickson
Thursday, June 13, 2013 @ 5:52 am
Oh that poor girl. I’ve been there before, too. I’ve been the one running for the bus, and I’ve been the one amused watching someone run for the bus. Good thing the Father’s bus will have the ability to stop in all places at all times and wait for each the amount of time needed.
Floyd
Thursday, June 13, 2013 @ 9:13 am
Amen, Dan. Time to Him isn’t an issue and He knows who of us tend to run late! Thanks, Dan.
Jillie
Thursday, June 13, 2013 @ 5:57 am
Well Floyd, my mother used to say, “Don’t sweat it if you miss your bus…there’ll be another one along in 5 minutes.” Of course, that doesn’t help if your appointment time was 10 minutes ago.
I love the way you observe the every day things around you, and find spiritual application in it. I’m so glad I have my ‘bus pass’ for that inevitable Day, but we do miss the point when so many others around us don’t even know ‘bus passes’ are available and free for the asking. The world is in way too much of a bustling hurry all around us. Stuck in the here-and-now, when eternity awaits at the end of the bus route.
Floyd
Thursday, June 13, 2013 @ 9:15 am
That was very well summed up, Jillie. That’s exactly it; the world is in such a hurry they can’t fathom that the bus route does come to an end physically… and all they had to do was ask for the free pass… Free will is a powerful gift… Thanks for adding your take, good stuff as always, sister!
Effie-Alean Gross
Thursday, June 13, 2013 @ 7:07 am
Floyd, I could visualize the girl running, your impatience, and my own race to the next appointment. Since my mother didn’t know how to drive, my sister and I rode the bus a lot with her. Now she’s with the Lord and I’m left to take the Light Rail. It comes every ten minutes, so I’m not too concerned about missing it. I’ve already been given a ticket (Jesus’ sacrifice)for the only “bus” that really matters. I’ll hear a trumpet sound in place of a honking horn…and I won’t be late this time!
Floyd
Thursday, June 13, 2013 @ 9:17 am
Nice, Effie! Great call! It won’t be the horn honking, it will be the sound of His trumpet! We’re all guilty of being in too much of a hurry I guess, but I’m with you; the last appointment we aren’t gonna miss! Thanks, Effie.
Bernard Haynes
Thursday, June 13, 2013 @ 8:57 am
Excellent perspective. I was like that girl. I use to spend a lot of time running after things or people that really did not matter. Toys that would get old in a few months and I would spend time running trying to chase the next toy. Whether that toy was a possession or position it soon faded away with time and I was usually left discouraged and disappointed. It wasn’t until I realized my vision from God that I started chasing after the things He wanted me to chase. Now I am satisfied with riding in the bus that God is driving. It is great to be a passenger on God’s bus.
Floyd
Friday, June 14, 2013 @ 5:16 pm
Very well said, Bernard. It really is a great ride. I hear you on chasing after the material things in life that don’t add up. It’s encouraging to hear a person say the are “satisfied.” Only our Father can bring that inner peace. Thanks, Bernard.
Jason Stasyszen
Thursday, June 13, 2013 @ 11:31 am
I have to admit I’ve had plenty of times where I thought something was amusing only to be convicted about it shortly thereafter. I think, “What does this say about me that I was laughing at this person/situation?” We learn and we grow. I know that! And I hope she made that bus too. 🙂 Thanks Floyd.
Floyd
Friday, June 14, 2013 @ 8:50 am
Exactly! I wonder the same things about myself, Jason. It’s scary how disconnected we can become in this calloused world. I give that girl credit; she was trying! That’s more than I can say for a lot of people! Thanks, Jason.
Lincoln Parks
Thursday, June 13, 2013 @ 11:52 am
You know missing our fathers Bus is an important topic. He’s always waiting on us to jump on board, but we keep getting on and off at all the stops. It we just stayed on our ride would be so much smoother. Thanks Floyd for this reminder of practical everyday lessons that we need to take seriously.
Floyd
Friday, June 14, 2013 @ 8:52 am
Great analogy, Lincoln! We do get off at many of the wrong stops, don’t we? Even with THE bus driver warning us not to… Free will… such a double edged sword. Wise perspective, thanks, Lincoln.
Phil
Friday, June 14, 2013 @ 10:35 am
Powerful analogy Floyd, may we all be aware and step into help each other in our daily struggles. I know I can get better at this.
Floyd
Friday, June 14, 2013 @ 5:09 pm
Good call and well said, Phil. We can all do better. It really is that simple and if it matters we’ll make a change. Thanks, Phil.
Doug Blair
Sunday, June 16, 2013 @ 10:45 am
A similar observation that I might pass along:
https://sites.google.com/site/stuffthatrhymes/follow-me/blog/transport
Floyd
Monday, June 17, 2013 @ 5:35 pm
Great call, Doug! That was a good one. Thanks.
Dan Black
Monday, June 17, 2013 @ 7:44 am
Though we might be busy and in a rush it’s essential that we get on the right bus. Think about someone visiting NYC trying to travel around, though I have never been, I have read and heard about stories about people getting lost or taking the wrong train. Today’s culture shares and has many different religions and gods but we have to make sure we are serving and following Jesus Christ!!!
Floyd
Monday, June 17, 2013 @ 5:46 pm
Great analogy, Dan. The bus not directed by our Father will always lead us to destruction. Well said. Thanks, Dan.
Joanne Norton
Wednesday, June 19, 2013 @ 4:02 pm
I enjoyed the reading/thinking/sharing, but this that wrote jumped out at me at the end:
Yes we need to meet our obligations and keep our word, but how often have we not kept our word to our Father and obligations to others in our life?
Really there’s only one bus we don’t want to miss and that’s the one that takes us to our Father’s house… Our saving grace is the fact that our Father is driving the bus… and He’s not leaving without us… even if we’re late.
===============
That’s what I count on. HE’S the driver, [the owner, BTW ;-)], and the one I need to focus on, moment-by-moment, throughout life.
Good sharing. Good example. Thank you.
Floyd
Wednesday, June 19, 2013 @ 5:53 pm
I know that you live this with conviction, Joanne. I’m always encouraged by your attitude and perspective… Your heart for our Father is lived out in actions. Thanks for that and for stopping by, sister!