Many years ago before we had kids my wife and I and another couple decided to go down to Lake Placid, New York for the weekend. Lake Placid is one of my favourite places on earth. It is a beautiful, picturesque spot situated on Mirror Lake in the awesome Adirondack Mountains.
When we got there, we thought we would have no trouble getting a room but the place was packed. It seemed that there was a national Lion’s Convention going on that weekend and it was a zoo. People packed in hotels, motels, restaurants, etc. Here we are, we thought, now what are we going to do?
Finding no place in Lake Placid proper, we traveled back about 15 miles or so to a little place called Saranac Lake. Saranac Lake is famous for its speed boat racing. There, we found a room for rent above a guy’s garage. Yes, above a guy’s garage! He called it the “Pink Room.” Everything that wasn’t wood was pink!
The story goes that he had prepared this room for Richard Nixon’s daughter for her special stay years ago. The room was outdated, but lovely, with the original pink phone (which he said was a direct line, at the time, to the President). It was either sleep here or in the car so we took it and had a great laugh. I was sleeping well until early the next day, when the owner decided to open and shut the electric door opener on the garage. We still laugh, to this day, when we think about that weekend. What a hoot!
We went into Lake Placid, early the next day, got a room in a hotel but it was not much quieter. All you could hear, night and day, wherever you went, were a bunch of Lion’s having a good time, greeting one another with their official greeting: a Lion's growl. We still laugh about this trip as a whole. It was a great weekend with lots of good memories. I wouldn’t trade it!
When I think about that weekend and all the fun and laughter, the one thing that stands out for me is that phone – a daughter's direct line to her father – the President. It reminds me that, as a Christian, we also have a direct line to our Heavenly Father through our Lord Jesus Christ. Anytime, night or day, all we have to do is call. We do not have to go through another person or perform some sacred rite. All we have to do is come. He is always there and always waiting to hear from us. The scriptures remind us, “Look to the LORD and his strength, seek his face always.” (1 Chronicles 16:11 NIV) The Apostle Paul reminds us, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” (Romans 12:12 NIV)
I heard this old saying many years ago and it is true, “Prayer will loosen many a knot that my own hands cannot untie.” My friends, God never gets tired of hearing from us and untying those knots! While we don’t have a “pink line” to the President, we have a direct line to the creator of the universe. Awesome thought!
God bless you and if you ever have time take in Lake Placid, you never know what fun you will encounter (LOL).
Till tomorrow, God bless – stay safe and keep in the love of Jesus – Pastor Ralph
Hi Pastor Ralph. All is well with Ruth and I. I hope you and Janice are well and making out okay with your aches and pains. Also that your Family are all well. Thank you very much for your continued blogs and the encouragement that your words bring us. Thank you for all your hard work. God Bless.