A Memory Every Mile

Ruth and I are headed back home from my preaching in Southeast MO, the hub of the universe. Everywhere we look we see remembrances.

We pulled off Hwy 60 and drove one mile to see First Baptist Church of Essex. I preached there several Sundays when Ruth and I were engaged to be married.

At a Sunday dinner on the ground there I once swallowed a sharp chicken bone. It lodged in my throat. Couldn't get it up. Couldn't get it down. The pain was excruciating.

A lady ran into the church and brought back a cup of vinegar for me to drink. It almost gagged me. I still remember what it smelled and tasted like. Awful!! But it worked. I still hold vinegar in high regard, even though I don't like it.

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Timing

The timing of events can sometimes be utterly amazing. In my sermon yesterday I mentioned the death of a dear friend who died about 25 years ago, and a funeral I preached 41 years ago.

Today as I drove through Southeast Missouri I mentioned to Ruth, "There's the hotel I was in when I heard about the death of my friend 25 years ago."

Tonight I saw the 84-year-old preacher who did the funeral with me 41 years ago. Wow. An amazing day. My past came alive today.

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Eating Crow

Bob Robert's dad often advised his family to always eat crow while it was young and fresh. That's what I'm doing right now. I'm revoking the bad things I said earlier about O'Hare Airport in Chicago.

My plane out of Roanoke was delayed two hours due to mechanical troubles. It landed at O'Hare after my departure time for Spfd. But lo and behold!! The flight out of O'Hare was delayed two hours.

I've never been this happy about a delayed flight. It's odd though. I'm the only happy person at this gate. I'm trying to wipe this silly grin off my face. I'm coming home, Ruth!!

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Baptist Purgatory

Few things are more frightening to a traveler than having to go through Chicago's O'Hare Airport. There's nothing else quite like it.

It is infamous for its flight delays. It is overrun with people. There is no place to sit down alone, no privacy permitted, and no place to sit down and leisurely eat two pretzel dogs purchased at Auntie Anne's.

Any preacher who does not believe in Purgatory has obviously never been through O'Hare. And yet, even with all this said, the truth is, O'Hare is a vital link in our USA transportation grid. Without it, much of the business and tourist industry would have to shut down. I dread it, but am grateful for it.

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