Tuesday, March 22, 2022 (today’s lectionary)
Spring snowstorm in the Texas panhandle
I brought in the key and said goodbye to Ramona. It was a beautiful morning. “There’s a 70% chance of rain today,” she said. “And I’m going to get my new car!” We wished each other safe driving, and I headed for the Route 66 museum, which opened at 8.
Except for yesterday. Just for one day, they were closed from 8 till 9. Maybe I’ll get back here someday? I decided to head down the road. Yesterday was my long day driving, 9 hours or so, through Oklahoma to Amarillo, Texas.
The clouds got thicker. I remembered that one part of Oklahoma is nicknamed Tornado Alley. The winds were picking up. Gradually the wind picked up and rain fell. Poured, actually. Several storms hit the highway hard. But no tornadoes!
Do not take away your mercy, O Lord.
In breaks between storms I drove some of Route 66. Old gas stations and restaurants, bridges, and pavement that has seen better days. But I realized I don’t have enough time for this month-long adventure in the seven days I’ve given myself.
We are reduced, O Lord, because of our sins. Do not deliver us up forever.
I did hope to drive all 117 miles of Route 66 in Texas. I started, and had a wonderful time in Shamrock, just a few days after their big St. Patrick’s Day party and parade. One of the ladies working in the old Conoco Tower and Café saw me taking photos in the drizzle. She came out and took my picture. Inside, I took hers too.
But after a few miles further west, I climbed back on I40. Heavy winds were blowing torrents of rain across the road. Semis put on their flashers and slowed down. Many cars and trucks stopped beside the road. I was two hours from Amarillo, but it could easily have been three if I’d stayed to see the museum.
I thought the storms would blow out. They didn’t. The car just kept going. Very grateful, I limped into Amarillo, and just as I exited a big highway department sign blinked, “Blizzard warning in the Texas panhandle. Please do not travel!” And indeed, snow was already filling the air.
With contrite heart and humble spirit, let us be received. Those who trust in you cannot be put to shame.
I pulled into my motel, parked across from the downstairs room and pushed the code the motel had texted me. It worked! I walked in and leaned against the door, exhausted. My feet were soaked from walking through puddles in the parking lot.
Just a few feet away from my Big Texan Motel was the Big Texan Steak House. Want to eat a 72 ounce steak and sides in less than an hour? Then it will be free, rather than a dollar an ounce. Not me, but I hoped to watch someone else give it a try. One table is raised, so everyone else can watch. But nobody took the dare tonight.
Kids sitting next to me marveled at the snow. “It was 90 degrees in Southern California yesterday,” their dad said mournfully. Sunday was the first day of spring. It will be 75 here by Saturday. But when I came outside a couple inches of wet snow had already covered my car, my parked car that wasn’t moving any more that night.
Do not worry about tomorrow, for today has enough trouble of its own.
I fell asleep quickly, full of thanks for those angels watching over me all day.
(Daniel 3, Psalm 25, Joel 2, Matthew 18)
(posted at www.davesandel.net)
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