HIGHWAY 66

"Deadly Route 66" it used to be called. The three lane winding
roadway was our Missouri link from Springfield to St. Louis.

The occasion which prompted the travel for Dan and me was the call of the St. Louis Cardinals baseball games. It was in the day of Stan Musial. We would pass his restaurant on the way to the game . . . always hoping some day we could afford to eat there.

The thing that was scarey was the center passing lane. It worked for the
cars going both ways. You simply looked to see if anyone else was coming your way in the passing lane. If not, you took your life in your hands by passing a slow moving car ahead of you. Your prayer and hope was that every driver coming your way from the opposite direction would be alert enough to see that you were in the lane!! The history of head on crashes put shivers down your spine while you were in the lane. I really did not like the coming and going from the games.

Dan's car was a Plymouth Coupe. Flying over the highway's hills
and curves gave an uncertain feeling. The car was light and easily blown
about by the cross winds. In those days we were easily distracted by
anything and everything, thus the feeling of uneasiness. Steady hands
would come later. One night returning home, I was so frightened I could not watch the traffic weave in and out of the center lane. The wind was blowing and I was afraid. I didn't want Dan to know how afraid I was. So, I put my head on the seat to 'sleep'. I didn't sleep, but at least I didn't have to watch the close calls.

We had such fun at the games. Stadium time was the most wonderul enjoyment. At that time of our lives, I knew all the standings of both the American and National League teams as well as most of the player on many of the teams. The Cardinal players were first name 'friends' to us as we sat in the stands as loyal fans. We dreamed of being able to speak to the players personally. Stan "the Man" Musial was Dan's favorite player in the National League.

I was a childhood Yankee fan due to a decision I made one day listening to a ball game with my Dad. I think he must have been for the Yankees, too. The radio was playing in the garage as he worked on a project for the church Sunday School rooms. I remember he was building dividers for
the classes who were growing. The ball game gave background to the pounding of nails and sawing of the 2x4's. I was a loyal Yankee fan and so proud of my team!

Dating Dan was enough to bring me to consider loyalty to the Cardinals.
After all, if you want to land THE man, Dan, you really should learn what he enjoys the most. It was, it appeared, essential to become a Cardinal
fan. Pleasing Dan did not require it for he loved a good debate over
anything. . .but I did not like being the only lone Yankee fan in the Cardinal's section.

Such memories elicit smiles for those were what people call 'the good ole
days!' They can't compare to the good days we enjoy now, the delights of our relationship now. We have such a wonderful life together serving Christ and enjoying our family. The family of God we serve is the finest group of people in the world. We have many years of the journey together as Christ-followers. Our obedience level is growing all the time. . . details are becoming more explicit every day. What blessings we share together.

At the moment I cannot imagine being a more fulfilled woman. My husband is absolutely amazing and wonderful in every way. Our choices of teams to cheer for are varied and changing. The Cardinals are too far away now to be fans attending games. We moved to the Northern Ohio area some years ago and we became Cleveland Indians baseball fans. Then the Cleveland Browns (at that time) were an amazing team. Dan still wears their brown shirt with a Browns insignia at times.

One day Dan decided to wear the Browns shirt on a flight to MO. He did not have an appointment when we got to our destination so it was a comfortable travel shirt. The security officer at the airport stopped Dan dead in his tracks. Dan looked at him a bit startled. Typically, no officer speaks to you except to perhaps respond to your 'hello' or 'thank you' as they do their examination of your luggage and carryons in line.

But this Security Officer stopped him saying, "Sir, I must shake your hand." Dan looked at him. The officer offered his hand. Dan reached out to shake his hand. Then the officer said, " I just have to shake your hand.You are the only other Browns fan I have ever met. "

We had a good laugh as we got back in line for the final 'shakedown'
in the security line.

No trips to Cleveland's ball games compared to the Highway 66 -- Old Route 66 journey. There was a magic about those early days as a young
couple. Something about the whole era of baseball seemed different then.

It was before the baseball strike.

It was before the million dollar salaries and beyond.

It was when the game was still pristine with expectation that any kid could become a major league player if only you could get into a good farm
team.

It was when the Monday night games were not accessable and the sports channel gave you a game anytime anywhere.

It was before the era of steroids and the shattered and somewhat questionable baseball 'records' were marred by players willing to do anything to top the numbers -- even bring down the integrity of sports heroes by artificial stimulants to build strength.

It was when a home run was a viable offering of a regular guy who outhit the pitcher in an honest game and fans loved it and could come for a reasonable price. A family could enjoy the game and get hot dogs for 25 cents. Sad to say, the beer guzzlers managed to mar the fun even then. How amazing it was to learn that overindulgence mars any public
event where booze is sold. It is the nature of man to want to go above
and beyond for all to see. . . and sitting next to the guzzlers is no
fun.

Which brings me to the reason for this post. There is no 'high road' for driving between Springfield and St. Louis -- but there is a better freeway
with no center turning lane to scare you to death and produce head on accidents now. The road splits for many miles and you can't even see the other East or West bound lane from your side of the four lane hiway. It is a wondeful road.

We used to fly into St. Louis on our way to Springfield for events. That was when we lived in Ohio. Now that we are in Florida, our route is thru Dallas-Ft. Worth or Atlanta. Route 66 is not on our GPA at the moment.

The High Way of our lives is that of lifting people out of the pit to walk
on a road which leads to heaven by following Jesus Christ. It is a way of
life which is given to every person who will yield to the Lordship of Jesus
Christ. Choosing the High Way of Life in Jesus Christ brings fulfillment and completeness. I suggest you inquire of Jesus Christ concerning His plan for your life. His design and purpose for you includes the greatest
possible journey you could possible imagine. The venture is filled with
promise for blessings now and forevermore.

While we are bringing Kingdom messages to people each day we see God's hand of intervention in their lives.

Being a Christ-follower will take you to the High Roads of Life -- into the
nations of the world. There is a recruiting taking place for all who will
surrender to yield fully to Christ and His Cross.

On the other side of your obedience to His High Way of Life is a multitude
of people already waiting to hear about Jesus Christ and His offer of eternal Life -- now and forever.

Come join us, won't you!

How could your life be different if you were to give it over to Jesus Christ? Have you thought about it?