A Day on the Porch in Colorado

I am looking over miles of golden and green prairie fields. The warm southern Colorado sun is in full glory, and the dry breeze is refreshing. The glorious backdrop is snow-covered mountains. Yes, snow in August. That picture gives you some idea of how high these rocks rise to the sky. Up there, the air is thin and chilly, even in the middle of summer. Mountains surround this entire home which is octagonal with 280-degree decks to enjoy the peaceful and magnificent scenes. Fluffy white clouds dot the immense sky and almost glow as the sun’s rays illuminate them. Their stage is a sea of purest light blues. Deer play in the fields surrounding the home, and I can hear the stream rush only a few feet from my seat. Ten or so hummingbirds enjoy nectar from the vines that have covered part of the deck railing, and the fascinating creatures occasionally stop within three feet of my eyes as if to say, “Welcome to paradise, my home.” Beauty is found not only on the grand scale but in the tiny details around us. These little birds are every bit as beautiful as those mountains.

I have driven through and stayed in some of the most spectacular terrains on earth this week, and I am grateful. I often wonder why my Lord has allowed me to see so much of His splendor in my lifetime, but I’ll take it and thank Him for it. Some things in life you just accept with gratitude, even though you don’t understand. Part of the beauty is that some sights are so vast or powerfully small that our tiny brains have trouble absorbing their nature.

Hummingbirds flap their wings on average fifty-three times per second! These tiny creatures make their way from North America to Central and South America each year. They wear me out watching them! But a hummingbird is every bit as beautiful and majestic as a 13,000-foot snow-covered mountain. They know exactly when to head south, not by temperature, but by decreasing hours of sunlight. Try flapping your “wings” that fast.

 I started the week at the Denver terminal after seven hours in airports and on planes. I took the shuttle to my designated car rental company, where I am a Preferred member. (Be impressed.) Of course, this “honor” comes only because I took the time to sign up on their website and fly enough to get onto their mailing list, where they weekly try to sell more services. However, I am allowed to get off the bus first at the Preferred Member lot, where my car is already awaiting me in spot 602. It is gratifying to pass by all the “lesser” folks on the bus as I proudly walk to my awaiting ride. They will be required to stand in a long line. I empathize with these poor souls as I was once a “regular” customer. But make no mistake, I am not planning to return to that status. I am special!

There it was, a brand-new Jeep Rubicon with four doors and massive mudder tires. It was a cool color and had a removable top. I already felt like a man’s man. But the pleasure quickly faded as I remembered I would drive many miles with two other passengers over curvy roads. Plus, I was supposed to receive a luxury crossover SUV, not a boy’s toy. (Sorry, guys, just kidding.) There was no way I would drive hundreds of miles across the mountains in that thing. God perfectly designed me for comfort, and the old army-style vehicle wasn’t cutting it.

Oh, I was so put off. How dare they mess up my reservation. I am a Preferred member here, and they better get their act together, or heads will roll. All I need to do is say the word.

I disciplined myself not to overreact to this inconvenience for long since I am a Christian and a long-time pastor. And, of course, I was there to attend a Christian retreat, so Jesus requires that I maintain composure. Sometimes His silly rules are so hard to follow. I’ll bet He would be upset if they got his reservation wrong. He’s a Platinum Member. I digress.

I marched back to the little rental station, where there was a fairly long line. Really! Don’t they know who I am? I should not be required to stand in line due to their mistake. But alas, reality set in, so I stood there sweating the 97-degree Colorado sun. Oh yes, it’s a dry heat. What a crock! 97 is hot, I don’t care where you are. After about ten minutes in the sun, I got my turn to discuss the matter at the counter with the kind rental lady who now held my life in her hands. Hamilton, talk nice to this lady, or you’ll be driving a Fiat.

So, I smiled and said, “How ya doin'? Boy, it’s a hot one. Nice to be in this air-conditioning.” She smiled and asked what she could do for me, obviously sensing my elite status with her company. I explained my sad, traumatic story as she listened intently. “Do you have your reservation number?” Oh yea, I’ve got my entire reservation called up right here on my phone. I did not just fall off the turnip truck. I’ve been in a few rodeos, ma'am, I thought.

Then, to my delight, she showed empathy. This was also not her first rodeo; she knew exactly what happened. She said, “Let me see what I can do.” Her confident yet kind voice comforted me, so I waited patiently.

Denver has a bustling airport. I’ve flown in and out of there many times. Sometimes rental cars are in short supply, and this was one of those days. But I happened upon a seasoned car arranger, God’s will, I am sure. He watches out for me. She scoured the computer, and I could tell she wasn’t having any luck. She then rose from her seat and went into the back room. Every rental office has a “back room.” This is where power is exercised, and deals are brokered by influential people. Only a few know what happens behind closed doors at a rental office.

Within a few minutes, she emerged, looking like she had just won another victory. She said, “I’m working on a super-duper, executive-level SUV for you, and I’ll have it shortly. Don’t you worry, sonny.” Once again, my Father had come through. He knew this was going to happen and prepared for it. This lady was an expert and recognized the stature of the person with whom she was working. I wasn’t just Preferred, I was one of those God Children.

Once again, she went behind closed doors and, this time, emerged with a smile. “How about a GMC Denali? Think that will get you where you want to go?” Honestly, l wasn’t sure what a Denali was, but I trusted this seasoned veteran. She told me to step just outside, and in a few moments, the car would be delivered directly to me. Now we’re talking, I thought. Sure, enough, around the corner came this behemoth of a vehicle with a grill that looked like a Mack Truck. It was dark grey, one of my favorite car colors, and I would soon find that the truck I’d donned, “the Titanic,” had every option you could imagine, and it had just emerged from the carwash still dripping wet and glimmering in the sun.

Wow, this was way more vehicle than I needed or expected, but it would be perfect for long drives and seeing sights. It was huge! I spent the next fifteen minutes trying to figure out how to operate the sophisticated machine, and I still have not deciphered everything. Yep, I would be riding in style. This is what it means to be Preferred.

I’ve put a lot of miles on the Titanic so far, and it has delivered. Thank you, God, and thank you, rental lady, you made my week.

As I’ve constructed this article, my friends have been enjoying the spectacular scenery with a good book. We are seasoned enough to know how to relax well. It takes practice. I’m still listening to the birds. I think the one I am observing is a Magpie. They are beautiful, but onery and destructive. Even though they are the state bird, farmers don’t like them.  Isn’t that the way so many things in life are?

Well, I’ve got more relaxing to do, so I’ll sign off. Remember, God is in the big things and the little things, and they are beautiful. A happy person is one who acknowledges these facts and finds joy in their being. Though I am in one of the most magnificent places on earth, I see God daily on my little plot in Mechanicsburg. I hope you do too.

Live Inspired,

Don Mark