This morning was dark, rainy and grey. And the coffee had coffee grinds at the bottom of the pot. I sat at the table just sort 0f staring out the window. Even two cups of coffee wasn’t helping much in getting me awake, not that it works that instant anyway. Mornings are my favorite time of day: my typical routine usually means getting breakfast, than enjoying coffee with my morning readings. But this morning my mind was just wandering. Then I thought of something funny in terms of my cups of coffee and lack of writing blog posts this week–in a name: Cryin’ Bryan Dern.
I can’t speak for my sisters, but if someone asked me what our favorite pastime was while growing up, I would place listening to Adventures in Odyssey as the number one candidate. In the summers, we could spend hours listening to episodes on cassette tape while coloring or doing crafts; Mom would eventually tell us “One more episode then you need to go outside.” During the school year, we would listen to the episodes at 6pm over the radio. It was always when Mom was cooking dinner; when she used the hand mixer (yes, the old-school kind) it would make the radio have bad static (it already did anyway.) Buzzz…”Mom!!!!!!!” Poor Mom–even if it was an episode we had heard before, the static confusion seemed like a traumatic event and would result in this unanimous outcry.
I had a few favorite episodes, but one that stands out in my mind..that I thought of this morning…is titled, “Top This!” In the episode, there are two story lines: Courtney’s cousin comes to Odyssey to visit for a few weeks. The two cousins, who have a history of competition against each other, embark on an unintentional “race” to see who can make the most money in fundraisers for church youth camp. Losing focus on the real reason for the fundraisers, Mr. Allen helps Courtney learn to not focus on her own winning, but being humble towards her cousin and supporting her when she “wins” just by letting her win.
The second story line involves the outspoken radio host, Cryin’ Bryan Dern. The Odyssey 105 is in need of votes in order to save the station. Bryan Dern sets up this gig in which he takes over the studio and turns the Odyssey 105 into a 24-hour Polka station. As soon as the public hears about Dern “taking the Odyssey 105 station hostage,” the votes begin to pour in–even though it is all fake. It is during this time, Dern has some of the best quotes. And I thought of a few this morning that made me laugh.
Over the course of his 95 hours on the air, Dern gives away countless amounts of Polka cd’s while he starts to get annoyed with the music himself. By the end, with his coffee enthusiasm long gone (in his 25th hour on the air, he already had gone with 30 cups of coffee), Dern goes on to have a moment of silence for a caller’s sick hamster named “Binky;” thinks that Polka music needs something–like, words; and eventually gives up the whole gig altogether when he can no longer think or see straight. I am not as crazy as Dern, but for some odd reason, his question over the air in his final hours– “Whaddaya wanna do?”–somewhat reflected how I felt this week about writing blog posts.
It is not that I’ve had nothing–my week was full of typical tasks that most often I overdid myself. It is as if this “normal routine,” without any doctor appointments or major health slides, has left me with a sense of urgency: to do it all, before anything comes up again. In reality, that attitude will only last me like Bryan Dern’s 95 hours on the air, because there is no foundation if I stand on my own.
“Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” ~Proverbs 19:21 ESV
My Life with NF2 
Thanks for writing your thoughts Melinda. Bill and I love Odyssey too….we still listen to it. I find that I have really good days and for every good day I have one that makes me less active and resting more. At first it really annoyed me, because there is always so much to do when you have a business, but now I realize that God says you need to stop for a while and think of Me.That’s what I do now…He has set the standard for me.TYL! “Things” still need to be done, but I’m finding a way to spread them out and enjoy the time I have with Bill and being able to get into the Word or pray for others. God is showing me how to appreciate each and every day he is giving me. We are epistles for Christ! How wonderful is that? I love hearing how you deal with each thing set before you. Melinda, you are an inspiration to all of us. You are strong in the Lord and the strength you have will be multiplied by him to bring you through each and every day. You are loved! Liz
I think Odyssey is great, because it can be for all ages. Sure, kids probably get the most out of it–but it is like reading kid novels. Age is not considered. 😉
I know what you mean when you discuss rest…sometimes I rush the morning coffee/readings as my mind starts to think of all that needs to be done –and God reminds me that He is more important. 🙂 Right now I am reading in the morning a book titled, “66 Love Letters” by Dr. Larry Crabb. He wrote these short chapters with each book of the Bible as like a dialogue between him and God. He asks God questions and brings up different stories or themes he relates to or doesn’t…then God answers back about His plan, Jesus, discusses holiness and what he wants to show through the books of the Bible. Not really fiction, not sound doctrine, LOL…but I enjoy it, because it helps me to go back and reread parts of these books of the Bible or stories that I have completely forgotten about otherwise! Finding rest is sometimes just taking it slow and enjoying what you are doing at the moment. Most often I find that best at breakfast. 🙂
Thank you so much for your blog post Melinda. Your thoughts and the verse in Proverbs are a great encouragement. It made me think of the verse in the John 15 passage about the Vine and the branches. Verse 5 reminds us that without Christ we can do nothing. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” May God continue to encourage you in His Word.
I often read through the book of John. I find it encouraging and challenging–thanks for sharing this verse. It is always a good reminder.
.n
I still listen to Odyssey, too! Either when it is on the radio, or I pull up the play list on whitsend.org and listen! Lots of lessons to learn through all the characters, even Cryin’ Brian Dern! Loved reading your memories and your musings! Hugs to you, sweet Mel.
I miss listening to the episodes! When I would drive home in college days, I listened to them on cd. 🙂 Kept me awake to say the least. LOL. Hugs!
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Bwahahaha! Oh sis:) This post had me laughing so hard because I totally remember that episode of Cryin’ Brian Dern…. “Let’s have a moment of silence for, Binky.” HAHA!! Oh and I just found your Good Reads section here on your blog! Yay! Cool beans:D XOXO, Megs
Yeah as I wrote the entry I was thinking of the episode and others, like the ones at Camp-What-A-Nut, :”OH WOW OH WOW!” and the one with the poems..”I like pants.” hahahahaha. Oh my, so classic!
I don’t usually write reviews for the books, but I have as of ate just so if people are curious of how I liked it or not. It is hard tough-trying not to write spoilers. 😉
Bwhahahaha! I totally remember those episodes too! As for the books, that would be difficult to not spoil the ending but you do a great job of writing those reviews in a way that doesn’t – leaves it suspenseful 😉