Dirt Roads, Porch Swings, & Rocking Chairs

Posted On July 21, 2023July 19, 2023

Cain, the Christian music group, has a new song called Windows Down. They sing of meeting God while driving winding roads, alone, with the windows down. Immediately, different impactful moments flashed before my mind’s eye and remembered my own special times with God over the years.

When I was in high school, there was a little old lady in our church who lived near Lake Rachel. Often, I would stop by for a visit, then drive to the end of her road, and park my car overlooking the lake at sunset. The view was stunning and when I really needed to think or work through hard stuff, I often found God at the end of that dirt road.

And then there were porch swings. My favorite overlooked Lake Francis and hung from a large oak limb in Mrs. Juanita Ragans’ front yard. Whether she was occupying the swing or not, it was always available to anyone who needed a rest. Often, I felt the swing beckon to me as I walked around the lake, calling me to come and rest. I learned quickly that the call was actually God’s voice, reaching through the noise of life, trying to catch my attention. Many tears and countless prayers went up from that swing—not all belonging to just me.

Another precious lady I knew in high school shared with me how much she treasured the rocking chair on her front porch. It was her “God” chair and nothing interrupted or interfered with her daily meeting with him in that chair. The summer I worked at Ridgecrest, I quickly found the row of rocking chairs and that became one of my special places to meet God. Even now, I intentionally have rocking chairs on my front porch. They signify rest. Retreat. And reflection.

Just like Cain pointed out in their song, we don’t always meet God in a church—sometimes it’s while we’re driving with the windows down. Or sitting on a porch swing. Or rocking in a rocking chair.

Or while you’re fishing at the lake. Hunting in a deer stand. Exercising on your bike. Or plowing up the field.

The thing is, he just wants us to meet him. So go to the place where you feel closest to God. By yourself. When time doesn’t matter. And have a little talk with Jesus. He has a way of always making it right.

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