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The Long, Long Bumpy Ride of Life

- Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God [is] with thee whithersoever thou goest

Joshua 1:9

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

I Corinthians 10:13

I like old movies, whether they are comedies, action or romance. I enjoy the simplicity of the older films. Actors had to really act and viewers had to use their imagination rather than depend on the efforts of CG effects.

One movie in particular has been coming to my mind lately. I think I will force the girls to watch it with me this weekend.

The movie is a 1954 classic entitled, “The Long, Long Trailer” with Lucille Ball and Desi Arnez. This movie is characteristic Lucy with all the physical humor you can pack into a flick. Lucy and Desi play newlyweds embarking on their life together by buying a 36 foot travel trailer to tour the United States. My favorite part is when Tracy (Lucy) decides that to save time, she’ll ride in the travel trailer, and cook dinner while Nicky (Desi) traverses the winding roads leading to their next campsite. Dressed in a beautiful green frock, hair and makeup perfected, Tracy plans to prepare a romantic dinner. However, things turn dicey pretty quick.

Tracy runs herself ragged trying to cook while dishes, pots and pans roll around and burst out of the cabinets, as Desi negotiates hairpin turns and too close for comfort steep drop offs. Try as she might, Tracy simply cannot keep up with all that is going on around her. She stirs the pot on the stove and runs to catch the mixing bowl as the trailer is slung around a curve, the tire nimbly riding the edge. Then the trailer shifts and the oven burst open and a roast flies out skidding across the black and white checkered floor. Flour flying, cans rolling and constant shifting of the land whale leave Tracy off balance. Finally, she begins to yell out the front window for Nicky to stop, but he cannot hear her because he is babalu-ing too loudly to hear anything. Finally, they make it to the campsite.

Nicky parks and comes to check on dinner. Ready for a hearty meal with his lovely wife, he flings open the door and is met with a pie in the face by his food smeared ticked off bride. Things go from bad to worse during the trip and Nicky leaves Tracey squalling in usual Lucy style. ( I encourage watching it to find out how the story ends.)

Though things are not as drastic as trying to cook in a moving trailer, life does seem to throw as many curves and roasts at you. When the ride gets bumpy it is hard to keep a cool head. Things are said, anger flashes and the damage is done. I often feel like I am dealing with life in a moving trailer, chasing my job, my family, school, writing, cleaning house, teens to corral, bills to be paid, lawn to mow, leaking ceiling. On and on I could go! It is exhausting trying to juggle everything on uneven ground.

The truth is that none of us will escape problems, trials, temptations and woes. However, it is important to remember that what you face is in no way uncommon or unprecedented nor do you face it alone. Unlike Tracy when we call out for help, God hears our plea and is faithful to answer.

If you have been feeling like your cooking dinner in a moving trailer, take heart, smooth roads are to come. Let your concerns be known in your prayers to our Father. He is anxious to hear from you.