PROPER 16, YEAR B, RCL
AUGUST 23, 2015
1 KINGS 8: (1, 6, 10-11), 22-30, 41-43; PSALM 84; EPHESIANS 6:10-20; JOHN 6:56-59
The Rev. Danáe Ashley
GOD TOOK A ROAP TRIP
About six years ago, I was given a gift from a dear friend of mine, a Dominican Sister named
Alice Ann Byrne. She gave me a book of poetry that I believe I have shared with you before by the
popular children’s author, Cynthia Rylant, called God Went to Beauty School. In it, Cynthia recounts God
being present on earth doing a variety of things like getting a dog, seeing a movie, going rollerblading,
and of course, going to beauty school.
As the summer has gone on, many of our people have been on the road traveling, and, as I
reflected on our gospel for this week, I thought that there was a story missing in Cynthia’s book. There
was something else that God needed to do: God needed to take a road trip  So, I ask you to join me
this morning on a special journey—traveling with God on the road. I tell this story in the style of Cynthia
Rylant – my hat tips to her.
GOD TOOK A ROAD TRIP
By: The Rev. Danáe Ashley
God had always heard about road trips.
He was always with people on them,
But He was never in the driver’s seat.
So, He decided to go on His own road trip.
He came to earth and went to Larry’s Used Cars – a car lot at the edge of town.
The guy behind the front desk kept staring.
Finally, God smiled at him.
The guy said, “No offense, man, but you look a lot like what I picture Jesus looked like.”
God laughed.
Then He shook the guy’s hand and told him they should have coffee sometime.
God is always about connections, you see.
He drove a used Honda off of Larry’s lot.
He had always heard that Hondas were good cars.
God thought that He better stop at the store to get some snacks.
After all, a big part of a road trip is good snacks, right?
At least that was what He had heard from folks.
So, God grabbed a shopping cart and meandered the aisles—
Talking to people along the way—
As He picked out Little Debbie’s snack cakes and grape juice.
He had thought about wine, since that is what He was partial to, but then He
remembered about drinking and driving laws and decided against it.
Besides, God knew that His presence was enough to make it whatever He needed it to be.
It was always His presence that counted the most.
That and connections.
God spent so much time in the produce department admiring the variety of fruit and vegetables
That a woman struck up a conversation with Him.
By the time He had finished listening to her, He had one of each in His cart.
The woman looked at Him and said, “I just feel like I can talk to you about anything.”
God smiled.
He wished that He heard more of that.
In the checkout line, the checker raised her eyebrows at His purchases.
“Having a party or something?” she asked.
God laughed. My, how He loved to laugh!
“Something like that,” He said. “Road trip,” He told her.
“Ah,” she said skeptically.
God just smiled. No one ever expected the answers He gave them.
At least she smiled back.
God got back into His Honda.
He knew He was missing something.
Then it hit Him—a road trip wasn’t a road trip without at least one other person!
He cranked His radio and pulled onto the street.
He knew just who to take.
God pulls up outside your house and lays on the horn.
He leans out the window like a New York taxi driver and yells, “Road trip!”
God liked to yell when it was for something fun.
You come out of the house and God likes what He sees:
Someone in need of a road trip with Him.
He is ready to wait for you to decide to come with Him.
After all, He has time…
He created it!
In fact, God has the time to go on a road trip with everyone in your house and neighborhood.
His smile brightens at this thought and it makes Him sing louder to the radio.
When you get in, God says, “You’re a sight for sore eyes!”
“Where are we going?” you ask.
God thinks this is a great question.
Where do people go on road trips?
Does the destination matter?
Or is it being in the presence of one another that is important?
Because you really get to know someone on a road trip—
Close quarters, you see, and nowhere to go but the road ahead of you.
God can’t stop smiling. Or waving to people. Or pointing out things that He seems to find amazing.
“Look at the way that tree touches the sky…look at the way that horse flicks its ear at a fly.”
God laughs—He enjoyed a good rhyme from time to time.
After seeing the world through God’s eyes, you start thinking that it’s pretty amazing, too.
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God smiles at you reassuringly.
He knows you’re nervous.
Most people are when they really want to say what’s on their minds.
All people are when they really want to share what is on their hearts.
He hands you a Little Debbie, and, after He takes a swig of grape juice, He hands you the container.
God knows that things are better when shared.
As the sun goes down and the wind blows through your hair and your words flow,
haltingly at first,
you realize that He’s right.
Later, when you go to the grocery store, the checker says,
“You seem different. Did you get a vacation or something?”
You laugh. “Something like that. Road trip,” you tell her.
The woman in line behind you said,
“Remember that guy that was in the store the other day?
He was taking a road trip. I think I may want to take one myself.”
God was in the frozen food aisle and he overheard. He smiled.
He knew His presence was enough and, of course, connections were one of His favorite things.
God decided that He likes to drive.
After all, He knows where all the roads lead
And the best places to stop for ice cream at twilight
To watch the fireflies come out.
AMEN.
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