Memorial Day weekend was wonderful. Time with wife and children. Church. Barbecue grilling.
Tuesday it was back to work. The scheduled load was back to Canada, this time to Edmonton, Alberta, but God was fixing to do a little rerouting.
I arrived at the customer and was told the Canada trailer would not be ready for three days. Oops!
I was redirected, this time to a notoriously slow shipper. There was a 20 hour wait and still the trailer was not ready.
My motto these days is that when God stops me, it is time to look around and ask, "Why here, Lord? Why now?" I would soon find out.
This shipper is not only notoriously slow, but also notoriously "tight". It is so cramped it is dangerous for maneuvering. Workers and forklifts are flying out of every gap and parking spots are so tight that mirrors and fenders are in peril.
At precisely 09:30 a.m. my employer directed me into the plant to hook a loaded trailer that was ready. I went in. The trailer was not in the usual area, and as I came back out I spied an owner operator with a long-nose Peterbilt or Freightliner Classic was tearing his bumper off in an attempt to extricate a long trailer (ISO chassis). I jumped out and went over to help. Without getting into particulars, together we got him, his truck and the trailer out of the hole. He jumped out of his truck (this trucker was a BIG man), gave me a hug, and exclaimed: "God is good!" We spent just a minute or two talking about the Master, about the temporal nature of trucks and other things, and about the grace and mercy of God.
I have no doubt I was sent into the plant at 09:30 to assist and encourage this fellow believer. How cool is that?
It was now back to the terminal to hook a trailer bound for the Cleveland, Ohio, area. Now, while the mileage was good, this was not a good load because there was too much time built into the load (which means sitting - us truck drivers hate sitting - we make money when the wheels are turning). But I could not complain. Due to the Memorial Day holiday freight was slow, and many drivers at the yard were still waiting on a load. A bad load is better than no load, and I knew I could hasten to Northeast Ohio and sit at our very pleasant terminal in Seville. (That is where I am right now).
I rolled into Seville late Thursday night, all set to spend two days sitting. Once again, it was time to look about and see why God had given me this load. Friday morning I met Fred (not actual name). Fred was small, quiet and nervous looking, older than me. He was sitting only two trucks away from me in the bobtail row. A quick introduction and I learned that Fred was brand new driver (one month). Fred and I chatted. I had a ten dollar gift certificate to the company cafeteria, too much for one man to eat, so Fred and I had lunch. I made sure that we prayed and I encouraged Fred and gave him some pointers, but not much more.
This morning, Fred was still here, and I asked God for the chance to share with him some more. Sure enough, Fred got a load this morning down towards my neck of the woods. I was able to sketch out a trip plan for him. I also was able to slip Fred a bible and a tract. An hour later, when Fred could not find an empty trailer here for his load, I was able to help with directions to the trailer pick up spot. Then Fred was gone, but by the grace of God I had the chance to develop relationship, brief as it was, and then plant seeds. God must give the increase and there is now a tract and bible in Fred's truck. Pray for him.
And now I think I know why I was sitting in Seville.
Tonight I unload, and then it is on to Pittsburgh, and then to far, far upstate New York.
We shall see what God has in store. The life of a believer is never boring.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Monday, May 26, 2008
Church in Unexpected Places
I made it out of Canada without incident. There were of course delays around Toronto (it is a huge city, perhaps larger than my home) and there was a two hour delay recrossing the border at Sarnia (Port Huron) north of Detroit.
Now I was back in the Detroit area and my next assignment was to take a damaged empty trailer back to the Chicago terminal (actually in Gary, Indiana) for repairs. I would arrive in the Chicago area before noon on Saturday and not leave until late Sunday afternoon. This would be a rare opportunity to attend church services.
I asked questions at the terminal and searched the internet. There appeared to be no churches within walking distance (it is unwise to try and bring a 19,000 lb tractor which takes up four parking spots onto thin asphalt parking lots). I became resigned to not going to service Sunday, but God had something interesting in store.
After cleaning and maintaining the truck and catching up on paperwork Saturday, Sunday morning was an opportunity to pray and study the word. Then I grabbed my laundry and headed into the laundry room in terminal.
After a wait, I got my laundry in the machines, washed, dryed and packed up. There was a steady stream of drivers coming in (this is a huge terminal and many drivers look to stop there coming in and out of Chicago). Indeed, this is the only terminal with two laundry rooms.
A tall, thin driver in his mid 50s came in with his laundry bag. The machines were now full and I asked him if he knew there was a second laundry room. He did not. I grabbed my bag and asked him if he would like to see where the second room was located. He gladly followed me and on the way over remarked on how this world was much like the Titanic, headed for destruction with the passengers unaware. Aha! A believer!
What followed was discussion and fellowship that lasted close to two hours. William is an owner operator from one of the Carolinas. He is sound in his theology. Periodically other drivers would come into the laundry room. None objected to the discussion. Indeed, at one point, a young lady driver came in. She was listening attentively. William quickly changed the topic to a discussion of the essentials of salvation. Finally, I looked at the young lady and said: "Seems like you have gotten stuck in the laundry room with the two older religious guys". She answered: "Maybe I needed to hear this."
The discussion came to an end when a gruff trainer came in from the television lounge across the hall and informed us that William's voice was way too loud and that it was interferring with their television watching. William and I smiled and adjourned.
And so, church was had in the laundry room that Sunday morning (May 18), and I had not expected it.
Mat 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Now I was back in the Detroit area and my next assignment was to take a damaged empty trailer back to the Chicago terminal (actually in Gary, Indiana) for repairs. I would arrive in the Chicago area before noon on Saturday and not leave until late Sunday afternoon. This would be a rare opportunity to attend church services.
I asked questions at the terminal and searched the internet. There appeared to be no churches within walking distance (it is unwise to try and bring a 19,000 lb tractor which takes up four parking spots onto thin asphalt parking lots). I became resigned to not going to service Sunday, but God had something interesting in store.
After cleaning and maintaining the truck and catching up on paperwork Saturday, Sunday morning was an opportunity to pray and study the word. Then I grabbed my laundry and headed into the laundry room in terminal.
After a wait, I got my laundry in the machines, washed, dryed and packed up. There was a steady stream of drivers coming in (this is a huge terminal and many drivers look to stop there coming in and out of Chicago). Indeed, this is the only terminal with two laundry rooms.
A tall, thin driver in his mid 50s came in with his laundry bag. The machines were now full and I asked him if he knew there was a second laundry room. He did not. I grabbed my bag and asked him if he would like to see where the second room was located. He gladly followed me and on the way over remarked on how this world was much like the Titanic, headed for destruction with the passengers unaware. Aha! A believer!
What followed was discussion and fellowship that lasted close to two hours. William is an owner operator from one of the Carolinas. He is sound in his theology. Periodically other drivers would come into the laundry room. None objected to the discussion. Indeed, at one point, a young lady driver came in. She was listening attentively. William quickly changed the topic to a discussion of the essentials of salvation. Finally, I looked at the young lady and said: "Seems like you have gotten stuck in the laundry room with the two older religious guys". She answered: "Maybe I needed to hear this."
The discussion came to an end when a gruff trainer came in from the television lounge across the hall and informed us that William's voice was way too loud and that it was interferring with their television watching. William and I smiled and adjourned.
And so, church was had in the laundry room that Sunday morning (May 18), and I had not expected it.
Mat 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
O Canada!
Tonight I am in Aberfoyle, Ontario. God, as always, has been most graceful in getting me here.
So far, this trip, I have not had any unusual "divine appointments". We will see what tomorrow brings. God's timing is ever good.
I think that we shall not fully know the extent of God's grace in our lives until we reach heaven's shores. I think that in eternity we will learn more, and that we will have time for testimonies of how God has dealt with his saints.
So far, this trip, I have not had any unusual "divine appointments". We will see what tomorrow brings. God's timing is ever good.
I think that we shall not fully know the extent of God's grace in our lives until we reach heaven's shores. I think that in eternity we will learn more, and that we will have time for testimonies of how God has dealt with his saints.
Monday, May 12, 2008
May 12
I wish to write much. There is time to write little.
The last trip was a whirlwind tour. It started, as always, at the home port of Houston with a load to Danville, Virginia. Then it was off to the tankwash at Paulsboro, New Jersey (across from Philadelphia).
At the tankwash, I was held up. The tank needed new gaskets, new lightbulbs and the like. It was situated at the end of the row near the main lane of traffic in the tankwash so that I could see and be seen as the trucks ran to and frow. Here came another orange truck just like mine. I haled the driver and exchanged greetings. He related his frustrations. He had only been driving for the company a few weeks. I shared some practical helps (directions to his next stop) and then shared how God had been such a tremendous help to me during my three years of driving. It turned out that Hubert, the driver, was a believer. I encouraged him in the Lord and prayed with him before he went on his way. It encourages me as well to run into a fellow believer out yonder.
Then it was up to Newark. There I hooked a tank bound for Maine, delivered, and returned to Newark. It was Sunday afternoon. There were few other drivers in the tankwash. While I was unhooking my trailer, another driver pulled in and it was none other than Szolz, the Hungarian immigrant driver from my home port of Houston, also relatively new. Szolz, to my knowledge, is not a believer. This time we chatted and in the course of the conversation it came out that back in Hungary Szolz had elderly grandparents who had read the scriptures daily, a fact not lost on Szolz as a young child. I am sure that they prayed for Szolz and it is thrilling to think that I might be a small part of the answer to those prayers. Anyway, I listened to Szolz and encouraged him as best I could, not being bashful about my source of help.
From Newark it was on to St. Louis, then back east to Pittsburg, then down to Louisville, then down to Memphis and on to Reserve (New Orleans). On the way to New Orleans, I met Mike. Mike drives for a competitor and had recently switched to tank hauling. He wanted to look at my truck's accessories because he was planning to invest in his own tank accessories. I showed them to him, and we talked.
Before I left I gave Mike a tract. Mike was ready for me. He proceeded to tell me that he had all types of tough questions about the bible that pastors had not been able to answer. I told him to give me the toughest, and he proceeded to ask about all of the Canaanites slaughtered at the command of God. Now that is a legitimate question. I told him how Genesis tells us that God waited 400 years after the witness of Abraham before destroying the Canaanites and asked Mike how long would have been enough? 800 years? 1000? I should have told him as well about Canaanites who were saved (like Rahab and her household). I also told him that since we all have a finite life span you are in essence quibbling over a few years here or there as to when God terminated the life of a given Canaanite. Mike had more questions. The Nephilim of Genesis 6. Some other questions I cannot remember.
After answering questions as best I could, my parting remark was that the late Dr. J. Vernon McGee was of the opinion that there were no valid intellectual objections to the scripture, but that such objections arose from man's sinful heart. In other words, it is not a head problem, but a heart problem. I think McGee was right. We will see if I run into Mike again. With over a million over the road truck drivers, repeat meetings are truly in the hand of a sovereign God.
From New Orleans, it was on to the Kansas City area. There, again at tankwash, I met another new driver from my company who professed to be a believer. We encouraged one another and prayed together.
Now here is the icing on the cake. The final load was from Dodge City, Kansas (heated beef tallow) to Houston. It had me stop for my break in Dallas just in time to have breakfast with my Mother, who was in Dallas, the Thursday before Mother's Day! Is God good or what? I am totally not in control of my travels, but God is. My company thinks that they control my travels, but they do not.
I am at home. I have had a blessed time with my wife and children and have been able to go to church twice yesterday. Tomorrow it is back to the truck....
The last trip was a whirlwind tour. It started, as always, at the home port of Houston with a load to Danville, Virginia. Then it was off to the tankwash at Paulsboro, New Jersey (across from Philadelphia).
At the tankwash, I was held up. The tank needed new gaskets, new lightbulbs and the like. It was situated at the end of the row near the main lane of traffic in the tankwash so that I could see and be seen as the trucks ran to and frow. Here came another orange truck just like mine. I haled the driver and exchanged greetings. He related his frustrations. He had only been driving for the company a few weeks. I shared some practical helps (directions to his next stop) and then shared how God had been such a tremendous help to me during my three years of driving. It turned out that Hubert, the driver, was a believer. I encouraged him in the Lord and prayed with him before he went on his way. It encourages me as well to run into a fellow believer out yonder.
Then it was up to Newark. There I hooked a tank bound for Maine, delivered, and returned to Newark. It was Sunday afternoon. There were few other drivers in the tankwash. While I was unhooking my trailer, another driver pulled in and it was none other than Szolz, the Hungarian immigrant driver from my home port of Houston, also relatively new. Szolz, to my knowledge, is not a believer. This time we chatted and in the course of the conversation it came out that back in Hungary Szolz had elderly grandparents who had read the scriptures daily, a fact not lost on Szolz as a young child. I am sure that they prayed for Szolz and it is thrilling to think that I might be a small part of the answer to those prayers. Anyway, I listened to Szolz and encouraged him as best I could, not being bashful about my source of help.
From Newark it was on to St. Louis, then back east to Pittsburg, then down to Louisville, then down to Memphis and on to Reserve (New Orleans). On the way to New Orleans, I met Mike. Mike drives for a competitor and had recently switched to tank hauling. He wanted to look at my truck's accessories because he was planning to invest in his own tank accessories. I showed them to him, and we talked.
Before I left I gave Mike a tract. Mike was ready for me. He proceeded to tell me that he had all types of tough questions about the bible that pastors had not been able to answer. I told him to give me the toughest, and he proceeded to ask about all of the Canaanites slaughtered at the command of God. Now that is a legitimate question. I told him how Genesis tells us that God waited 400 years after the witness of Abraham before destroying the Canaanites and asked Mike how long would have been enough? 800 years? 1000? I should have told him as well about Canaanites who were saved (like Rahab and her household). I also told him that since we all have a finite life span you are in essence quibbling over a few years here or there as to when God terminated the life of a given Canaanite. Mike had more questions. The Nephilim of Genesis 6. Some other questions I cannot remember.
After answering questions as best I could, my parting remark was that the late Dr. J. Vernon McGee was of the opinion that there were no valid intellectual objections to the scripture, but that such objections arose from man's sinful heart. In other words, it is not a head problem, but a heart problem. I think McGee was right. We will see if I run into Mike again. With over a million over the road truck drivers, repeat meetings are truly in the hand of a sovereign God.
From New Orleans, it was on to the Kansas City area. There, again at tankwash, I met another new driver from my company who professed to be a believer. We encouraged one another and prayed together.
Now here is the icing on the cake. The final load was from Dodge City, Kansas (heated beef tallow) to Houston. It had me stop for my break in Dallas just in time to have breakfast with my Mother, who was in Dallas, the Thursday before Mother's Day! Is God good or what? I am totally not in control of my travels, but God is. My company thinks that they control my travels, but they do not.
I am at home. I have had a blessed time with my wife and children and have been able to go to church twice yesterday. Tomorrow it is back to the truck....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)