Oblivious Rider

My brother David is back on the road as a hardwood salesman.  David attends hardwood conventions across the nation.  At a convention in San Antonio, Texas, he won a fully loaded Harley-Davison motorcycle.  He was hesitant to enter the contest, but did so at the insistence of a young lady.  The keynote speaker was the CEO of Harley-Davison.  When they drew David’s entry, the CEO said that the winner comes from a long line of bikers, referring to Dennis Hopper of the cult movie “Easy Rider.”  David said his heart began to beat faster, faster, and almost exploded when they called out his name.  David claims that this is the first thing he ever won.  Of the three of the Hopper brothers, David rode a motorcycle the least, yet he won one.

David has met some interesting characters over the years, but he has the uncanny ability not to recognize famous people.  For instance, he and our cousin Tim were at a hardwood convention In Nashville and decided to attend a Gaither Concert.  They were fortunate to get seats on the front row.  On the way to the concert from their hotel, a longhaired man in a long trench coat got on the elevator.  They spoke and David wanted to invite the man to the Gaither concert.  He never garnered the nerve to ask.  They did ask where the man was going.  He said that he was headed to work.  When they exited the elevator, David told Tim that he felt sorry for the man.  He said we are so lucky to be going to hear some gospel music and that poor man was probably headed out for a night of wine, women, and song.  David could not fathom such a thought.

David and Tim were enjoying the luxury of first class seat as The Gaithers entered the stage to a standing ovation.  David looked at Tim and said that’s the man in the elevator.  It was Guy Penrod, lead singer for the Gaither Vocal Band.  Penrod is internationally known for his powerful vocals and broad singing range. 

The morning of the concert, an elderly lady asked David’s assistance to set up a display.  David graciously helped the lady and they struck up a conversation.  He found out that she was from Alabama and very familiar with the happy Goodman family.  Oblivious to her identity she finally told David her name was Vestal Goodman. 

Vestal was honored to be named “The Queen of Southern Gospel” and won her first Dove Award in 1969.  She and the Happy Goodmans won multiple Grammy and Dove Awards.  She sang for President Jimmy Carter at the Whitehouse in 1979.

To show that David is really bad at recognizing people, David and Mike Allen, former pastor of Sardis near Thomaston, were playing in a pro/am golf tournament.  Now if you are playing in a pro/am tournament, more that likely you are paired with a professional somebody.

David had teed-off and was returning to his golf cart.  There was a big burly looking man in a cowboy hat smoking a cigarette, slouched on the golf cart.  David told the stranger that he must be his pro teammate.  He asked who are you and what do you do.  He said I am Trace Adkins and I sing.  Did I forget to tell you that David is a true blonde and that he is a minister of music?

Trace Adkins is a movie, television, and country music star.  He is famous for his baritone vocals.  David fits one of Adkins songs, “This Ain’t No Thinking Thing.” Adkins also authored a book.  I am thinking about getting it for David.  The book is A Personal Stand: Observations and Opinions of a Free-Thinking Redneck.

My brother is with some pretty good company when it comes to not recognizing people.

And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. And they talked together of all these things which had happened.  And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.  But their eyes were holden that they should not know him (Luke 24:13-16 KJV).

 

And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself.  And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and He made as though He would have gone further.  But they constrained Him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And He went in to tarry with them.  And it came to pass, as He sat at meat with them, He took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.  And their eyes were opened, and they knew Him; and He vanished out of their sight (Luke 24:27-31 KJV).

 

Truth is that most of us have a hard time recognizing Jesus when He is walking with us.