Dancing in the Light

I John 1:7 "If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanses us from all sin."

Name:
Location: North Platte, Nebraska, United States

I am a christian wife, mother and grandmother. I am a licensed Social worker and a licensed Christian counselor. I am most proud of the relationships I have with God, my family and friends all over the world. I have been blessed beyond my dreams.

Sunday, February 25, 2007

Riding the Rumble Bars

You know those things on the side of the highway? The grated places on the shoulder? The ones that are designed to startle drivers into awareness so they correct and get back on the road? Ned says they are called "rumble bars". I love those things. One of my favorite things to do is wait until he just gets settled into the seat next to me, until his head quits bobbing side to side, and until that horrible, awful, loud sound of snoring begins to come out of his mouth. I let him sleep for awhile and then when it is close to time to stop, or time for him to drive, I just let the car ease over onto the rumble bars. He tells me it is not funny to see a 300 lb. man try to climb onto the dash of a little Ford Fusion. (I beg to differ). He tells me the sound startles him awake because it is usually the "last thing you hear before you die", hence his aversion to the sound. One time, he gave me a big long lecture, er...discussion, about the reason behind the rumble bars. He explained they were designed as both a warning and an alert. He also threw in the "Little Girl Who Cried Wolf" story.
While driving on them is cheap entertainment for me, I do realize they are a warning. And thanks to Ned, I also realize that warning should not be taken lightly. I know if I do that every time, Ned will get used to it and he will not wake up. I might have fallen asleep or be unable to correct the wheel and it could mean disaster for both of us.
I think we, as Christians, sometimes look at God's warnings the same way. He warns us to "flee the very appearance of evil". "Guard our hearts" "Test the spirits" "Watch and be ready". We know that evil is bad and dangerous. We know that our hearts are the "wellspring of life", we know that there is only one Spirit and one Word and any other is dangerous. We know Jesus could return at any time. And while, sometimes we heed the warning, sometimes, we just smile and keep on driving. The problem is that we can become so used to the sound of the warning, that it has no impact on us. If there was roadwork and one was forced to drive on the shoulder for several miles, I daresay the sound would be less annoying, less startling and less noticeable after the first mile or two. The same thing can happen when we get so used to the spiritual warnings that they become merely background noise. Perhaps it is time to wake up and pay attention, time to correct our drive and get back on the road, where it is safe and the only sound we hear is the hum of the wheels and the music from the radio.

Neva

20 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

We must pay attention to God's warnings, He can see the future. And doesnt it seem like Satan is going long trying to smooth them out or distract us so we dont see them?

Enjoyed the post

Dan

4:22 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Neva,
I just love your posts---only you can find a spiritual lesson in everything. I can see Ned jumping--a very funny picture.

Good blog,
Love ya
Carol

4:43 PM  
Blogger The Preacher's Household: said...

I would love to see Ned's reaction. We call that driving by brail. I think a very similar application can be made if you are driving through life with the control but no vision.
Love ya,
Kathy

5:57 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Loved your post! I read it and laughed through it all. Thank you for cheering me up, I needed it! I will probably spend the evening smiling to myself. Thank you also for the spiritual application. I will also probably try this on Daryl. Life is too short not to cause havoc!.

6:26 PM  
Blogger The Preacher's Household: said...

Neva,

Driving by brail is not plesant. I have had the experience of the road construction and having to drive on them. It does become less anoying for atime but then gets on your nerves really bad. You're right, the sound begans to fade though. The good news is the deafening is only temporary.

In spiritual terms this is good and bad news. the bad is as you pointed out. The good news is our hearts are not beyond regaining it's sensitivity. "He who has ears, let him hear what the Spirit has to say".

Thanks for the reminder.

James

7:51 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

You are too too ornery!!
Good thing Ned loves you so much :)

7:57 PM  
Blogger Bobby Cohoon said...

I usually hit them by accident and say it was on purpose to get their attention! Great post sis!

Bobby

9:09 PM  
Blogger Heather said...

Neva - It's so good to connect with you again! And to be inspired by your insightful writings - I'm loving it!... one of my favorite verses that I have referenced many times through the years became my favorite from your teaching it... ( Eph 1:14 - the Holy Spirit being a deposit...and the significance of that symbol in the greek... ) - not connected to this post but wanted to share that with you now that I have the chance!

So glad you are doing well... driving on the shoulder for fun... and drawing important lessons from simple everyday experiences that remind of spiritual truths. You are gifted... and use that gift for Him. (Jason says hello!)

9:17 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Like the post but think you are mean to Ned. He is right that is a scary sound, but . . . it would be funny to see him scramble up onto the dash.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts,
Kel

10:03 PM  
Blogger Larissa said...

I really appreciated the talk yesterday. It was good for me. And you have no idea how much I look forward to you taking them back...I will miss them, but oh I will enjoy myself.

10:22 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Amen and Amen and Amen!

Good lesson for each of us to remember, heed God's warnings daily and the road we are on will be safely in His hands.

Loved the humor in this post Neva and you are just too ornery for words. Ned, hang in there!
God's blessings on you both!
madalyn

1:48 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

neva
ever since I read this I have been trying to remember a song you used to like about a careless soul and heed the warning, but I can't remember it. This was a very good post--we get so arrogant we dont listen when He warns. Good post
Love
Pat

8:03 AM  
Blogger Paul said...

So at this point does Ned appreciate your driving tactics as parable? :)

10:34 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Neva,
Great post as always.
I really enjoy reading your blog.
keep up the great posts.
God bless you Sister.

I am signing in under anonymous becuause I am having a hard time with my new google account and am at a Univserity Liberary.

Preacherman

1:05 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

A heart that doesn't respond to the voice of God is quite dangerous.
Thanks for sharing!

-Martin.

1:30 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Great post as always, Neva! I don't have anything to add. I am just so amazed at the ease with which you make spiritual applications from things that the rest of us don't see the lesson in. Love you!

7:44 PM  
Blogger Mommysmart said...

I wish that I could be inspirational in my comment because your post really was, but I can't stop laughing about the visual of your husband on the dash. That's how I feel when someone hits those, too. I will forever giggle, tell your husband thanks for sacrificing himself for the sake of a laugh.

8:23 PM  
Blogger Neva said...

Y'all--thanks so much for your comments. Ned also appreciates all your concern. He says one of the best things about being married to me is that lots of people pray for him. Glad we can add yall to the list, too.
Maybe next time I do that I will take both hands off the wheel and take a picture with my phone so you can all enjoy . . .nahh maybe not. :p
Peace to you all, pleasant dreams and glorious days, my friends,
love
Neva

8:54 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

There is one small correction to Neva's post.When she hits the rumble bars Im trying to get into the ashtray! while they are very small they are built to withstand extreem heat, close behind you and usually survive the crash. For those of you who think Neva is less than kind to her wonderful, kind,loving, humble sleeping husband by hitting the rumble bars....They aren't anything compared to her ICE COLD FEET!!!!

Both are a small price to pay, "He who finds a wife finds a good thing"!

Thanks for all the prayers

ned

10:18 AM  
Blogger The Preacher's Household: said...

So is this what you call riding in the rumble seat?
K

12:17 PM  

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