The Rubber HAS Met the Road!

The Rubber HAS Met the Road!

Literally speaking, the rubber has met the road in my world the last couple of weeks (if I must be truthful, the last year).  Most recently, I have been on the road a good deal rendezvousing with my parents in various locations, meeting with doctors/surgeons, and trying to determine the best course of action for my mother’s health. Literally, the tires on my vehicle have been “running the roads” making one trip to Shreveport, LA and two trips to Houston, TX all within one week.  Both locations are around 4 hours from my home.

Honestly, I enjoy this time alone, just driving.  It allows me time to think, pray, praise…well, just BE.  Last Wednesday, August 23^rd, (on my 2^nd trip to Houston that week), I was particularly introspective.  This day, the 23^rd of August, was the anniversary of my eldest daughter becoming critically ill and the receipt of the fateful call, “Ms. Stephanie, Savannah is sorta unresponsive and we want to know what to do”.   It was on THIS day, our 10 ½ weeks began … or said differently, this was the point where the “rubber met the road”.  Since the 23^rd, I have had that phrase meandering in my head.

“This is where the rubber meets the road”.

Meeting with a neurosurgeon with your parents and brother on behalf of your mother who is living with Stage IV lung cancer (for almost 4 years).

“This is where the rubber meets the road”.

Going to M. D. Anderson and seeing the multitudes of others whose “rubber has met the road”.

“This is where the rubber meets the road”.

Driving to M. D. Anderson on the year anniversary of your daughter becoming critically ill.

“This is where the rubber meets the road”.

You have 4 appointments this week at M. D. Anderson.

“This is where the rubber meets the road”.

No, you have 3, you must get out of Houston today (Thursday), Hurricane Harvey is about to hit land.

“This is where the rubber meets the road”.

Schools are out in the Baton Rouge area anticipation for Hurricane Harvey making it’s 3^rd landfall.

“This is where the rubber meets the road”.

Oh, NO!  Not the potential for flooding, again!  Not one year later!

“This is where the rubber meets the road”.

I just traveled those roads shown all over television…NOW they are completely submerged.  What devastation!

“The Rubber HAS Met the Road!!!

What are we going to do about it?

THIS is where the rubber meets the road!!!

When perusing the Internet this morning about what this phrase means in the English language, I came to identify with couple of explanations.  The site, www.UsingEnglish.com, says, “Where the rubber meets the road is the most important point for something, the moment of truth. An athlete can train all day, but the race is where the rubber meets the road and they’ll know how good they really are.”  This is where the “true you” comes out.  McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs notes that this phrase is  “at the point in a process where there are challenges, issues, or problems”.  (Boy, I could give a hearty “AMEN” to that!)  The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition, says it means “where the practical reality or crucial test is”.  Check out the Urban Dictionary’s description: “the moment of truth of something; where the action is most immediate, such as the place where a plan is put in motion (from the place where a vehicles tires make contact with the pavement)”. You just do it!  What about the saying,  “when the rubber meets the road”… what changes with the search as I switched up the “where” for “when”?  Here’s what I got.  According to www.knowyourphrase.com, “When something is about to begin, get serious, or be put to the test.”

The result of the search … where the rubber meets the road is HERE and when the rubber meets the road is NOW!!!

It’s about to get serious…HERE and NOW!

Welcome to the HERE and NOW!!!

The rubber meeting the road is not a place unfamiliar to us. This is not a place we have never been.  The rubber meets the road at all times in our lives.  Sometimes it may be on a long, smooth road and the friction and connection between our tires and road is constant, never losing touch.  (This is the road many who are involved with flood recovery and relief are at this time.) On this road, we are in our zone.  Our priorities are in line with God.  We are in sync with each other and allowing Him to lead our every path.  During these times, we are not trying to micromanage everything and everyone.  We are in the “moment of truth”.  Yes, we are challenged but we have made the choice to keep on driving to our destination, no matter what comes up.  We are being put to the test and we are surpassing our expectations!  We aren’t distracted by differences, politics, religion, misunderstandings, the minutia of the world.  Our feelings aren’t hurt; we give grace freely to others.  We advocate for one another.  We just love whomever is in our path in whatever way is needed.  We sacrifice ourselves and look to the greater good.  Although, we are worn out, tired, exasperated, we keep going! It just feels right.  These are the times we are being the hands, feet, soul, heart, mind, and mouth of Jesus. These are the times, like now with Hurricane Harvey relief, that neighbor is helping neighbor, communities supporting communities, and stranger is loving on stranger.  We have an amnesia of sorts of our differences and we are reminded, AGAIN, of our similarities.  We are reminded we are all beautiful creations of the Holy One! We sacrifice our notoriety for the greater good of our neighbor.

Unfortunately, all too common, we don’t stay on that road.  We stay on a road that is like those back-woods north Louisiana dirt roads that have holes deep and wide and ridges along the entire length of the road.  The friction and connection between the tires and the road is dangerous and intermittent, at best.  Sometimes you swerve on these roads, blow out a tire, or lose control all together.  You forget your way and purpose for driving from one place to another.  During these times, we put ourselves first.  We think being RIGHT is better than being LOVE for someone else.  We get distracted by all the “noise” in this world.  We are worn out, tired, and exasperated.  We just want to give up!  We expect others to do for us, instead of us serving our neighbor.

Because I have had (and am having) a year “where the rubber meets the road”, I remain in this crucial test.  This test has lasted for over a year now, starting with our house flooding and Savannah becoming critically ill.  I can’t let myself get distracted or “forget” what’s important. I hope and pray that I remain on the road where the connection and friction remains constant.  I believe I do this by being focused on what is important … and it’s not being focused on ME!   But, instead, being focused on what is important.  What’s important to me? It is relationships.  My relationship with the Holy Father, my constant communion with Jesus Christ, being in tune with the Holy Spirit, focusing on the needs of others (not mine), and looking for ways to love on my neighbor.

The people devastated by Hurricane Harvey are likely having difficulty remembering to take one breath after another.  The destruction has occurred… now, they are left with the task to figure out how to keep going on!  All those affected need our unrelenting prayers, love, and service.  Believe me, I know!  Just a smile, hug, cup of coffee, doughnut, or someone to tear carpet and cut sheetrock out is MONUMENTAL!  However, this is a long process.  I ask that we not forget what it feels like for our rubber tires to be on a long, smooth road where the friction and connection is constant.

We are given sooooooo many opportunities to learn this lesson.  One natural disaster after another, one ambush after another, one war after another, one terrorist attack after another … since the beginning of time.  The time is now to finally get this lesson and put it into place!

THE RUBBER HAS MET THE ROAD!

Will you stay on it?

This picture is a constant reminder to me that “things got real”.  The rubber has met the road and we are now a family of 3, no longer a family of 4 on Earth.  I pray I stay on the long road and never forget what is important.  Will you join me? It’s a choice not to be distracted by the minutia of the world.  Who cares if you think you’re right?  How does that show love to your neighbor?  Please don’t forget what it feels like to be in sync with all things eternally important.  When the “crisis du jour” is over, do not forget what you learned when the rubber met the road.  Stay on the path.

Much love to you all … Now, go make a difference and THRIVE!

Stephanie