Who Says You Can't Go Home?

This past weekend we went to see “Cars.” I think it was a good movie. It teaches, among other things, care for others, sacrifice of self, the cost of selfishness, the danger of neglect and it demonstrates a noble heart. Lightening McQueen is a fast young racecar. He is arrogant and proud. When he spins his tires and prepares to peel out with lightening speed his catch phrase is, “Ka-chow!” But life slows him down, humbles him, teaches him, and changes him.

On a trip to California for a race, he gets lost and ends up stuck in Radiator Springs, a small town on old Route 66. Radiator Springs is a town that the interstate passed and the world forgot. In this little town there happens to be a girl named Sally, (there’s always a girl). Sally is a hot, light blue Porche 911. Sally loves Radiator Springs.

The movie has a sub-theme that is about the “good ole days” when people took drives “low and slow” simply for the joy of the drive. It places value on the restoration of things that have been neglected. It reminded me of the small town in Missouri where I spent my teen years. I walked all over that town in the course of five years. I miss those times. Life was simpler, slower, and more lived in the present.

David had an experience of nostalgia one day. Tired and weary from fighting the Philistines, the old book says, “David longed for water and said, "Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!” (2 Sam 23:15). Three of his great warriors heard him says this and so they fought through the enemies lines got him a drink and brought it back. David couldn’t drink it. The water was too valuable to drink because of the effort it took to get it. So he “poured it out before the Lord.”

Lightening finally made it to California for the race, but Radiator Springs still owned part of his heart. He had changed and in that change he didn’t simply make himself better, he made those around him better. His heart changed in the course of time and that little town had a lot to do with it. Kirksville, Missouri will always be special to me - just as David loved water from the well in Bethlehem. Towns have a way holding on to us. Jon Bon Jovi says, “Who says you can't go back, been all around the world and as a matter of fact There's only one place left I want to go, who says you can't go home.”

Ka-chow!

telemicus out