the lines

Psalm16:6

The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.

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My cousin Lennie was driving back from Bridgeport
on THE MERRIT PARKWAY in the winter. He was so
relieved to be back at our house.

We recently had some winter storms and that night
it was difficult driving. He said he was unable to
clearly see the lines. As a result he said he went
slowly and carefully trying to 'stay in line'.

The Merritt Parkway is a limited-access parkway in Fairfield County, Connecticut. The parkway is known for its scenic layout, its uniquely styled signage, and the architecturally elaborate overpasses along the route. It is designated as a National Scenic Byway and is also listed in the National Register of Historic Places.(WIKI)

I like this road sometimes because it is a winding
road just like the ones in the hill country surrounding
the area where I grew up.

There was this one particular
stretch, back home, that was known as
'the devil's racecourse'which, like the Merritt,

can be quite a challenge to drive on
especially in bad weather.

In spite of its pretty scenery, I am sometimes fearful
driving on the Merritt. Accidents may occur anywhere,
and the MERRITT has had its share.
Although no trucks, buses or
other commercial vehicles are
allowed on it.

One particular fatality occurred on
the Merritt that I don't forget.
A branch fell from an
overhanging tree onto a car
resulting in the death of a woman.

=========================

the lines are drawn and set in all of our lives**.
We know to live right even when it seems
better to do otherwise.
The line we sometimes refer to as
Conscience.

this awareness or consciousness
of good and of God
is sometimes blurred even totally
obscured by other things that attract our
attention and we loose our focus.

If the lines are blurred or obscured, we must
know the lines can never be erased. When the lines
seem to disappear from view it may be because
we have crossed the line, or have gotten out of line.
Confused, we sometimes blame others.
The lines seem twisted or broken.

Here is a picture that comes to mind from my
school days. Someone was needed by the
PE teacher to hold the line. We were having races
on the playing field to decide who were the fastest
runners. These events were called eliminations.
There were lines on the track but people or poles
were holding a line at the finish point.

There are places in life where parents or teachers
have stood holding the line as a race is done.
We accomplished some goal - crossing a
finish line.

During practice, there is no one
at that point. I had raced around the track many times.
Now the time for the elimination had come.

Last summer, my son had such an experience,
he graduated high school.

He and his older sister were baptized earlier
in their life, both times we stood and watched as
they "crossed those lines".

Then there was the summer I went with the kids to camp
as a counselor. This was new for me.

Fishing.

I learned lessons about patience as I sat on
the riverside holding that fishing line.

Waiting.

Another time, I was holding the line:
the other end of the line,
was out of sight;
I was flying a kite !

and so...
The journey or trip
is over.
A bus trip.
A train Trip....
everyone gets out.

the parting
of ways.

a shortened vacation
the end of a friendship
the loss of a job

these may remind us
of a finality* that
is unwelcome....
death!

THE END OF THE LINE?

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* Heb. 9:27People die once, and after that they are judged. 28Likewise, Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of humanity, and after that he will appear a second time.

**Titus 2:11For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
15These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.