As I have been driving, there is one thing that I really have developed a distaste for. I would classify it as a "pet peeve." It really sets me off whenever it happens. You can ask my wife how I react when it happens with her in the vehicle. It is how people get on the freeway.
All too often they seem to think that it is okay to take their time getting up to speed as they merge into traffic that is going at least 55 mph. That is how fast my rig goes most of the time. They wait until the last minute to look to the left to see how they are going to fit into the flow of traffic. They wait to speed up so they can safely merge. Most of the time I am forced to make a decision that I am not happy with because it causes me to lose momentum. I get upset over this "little" thing and I want to just give them a little nudge to get them going, blow my horn at them to wake them up or just not move so they have to make the adjustment. My nature thinks I have the right to get upset with how these people drive and inconvenience me. Is it right for me to think and act this way?
I consider how God must feel and think about me each time I do the same stupid thing time and time again. The difference between His reaction and mine is that He righteously can get upset with me. I'm the one doing it wrong all the time. I'm the one that messes it up. He could just run me over, yell at me, blow a horn in my ear and get His point across to me. After all, we are told by God himself: "I hate sin." He is not just indifferent about it, mildly upset by it, or become calloused to it. He wants to push away anyone and anything that has to do with sin. That is His nature.
Thankfully, what He did to deal with my sins and all sins: forgive them because of the blood shed to pay for them, allows me to deal with myself and the people in this world. We will all continue to mess up, sin, and do things that upset others. However, as His Children, we can forgive each other and go on. We can get over out "pet peeves" and learn to love instead of get upset. But still, if you see a big, orange truck coming at you as you get on the freeway, step on it and get moving down the road please. :)
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Thursday, August 18, 2011
"Safely"
How often have you said this or had this said to you: "Drive safely"? I usually have this as my response: "Only if he wants to ride with me." I guess "safely" was riding along with me last Wednesday as I was driving on Interstate 15 heading north out of Baker, CA. I was rear-ended by another driver. He totalled his car while bending the bumper on my trailer in 45 degrees. He also managed to come far enough under to take two big chunks of tread out of one of my tires and anothe out of the sidewall. He walked away with just a cut on his head. I was able to drive away, get my tire replaced in Las Vegas and make my deliveries the next day.
Each day we get in a car, walk out of our homes, get out of bed and do a whole host of other things. We do them without thinking about the danger that exists all around us. If we did, how would we act? We might become paralyzed by the thoughts of what "might happen." I'm usually driving just feet away from other trucks that carry who knows what. A plethora of things could happen that would cause us to meet in one way or another. However, when all are doing their jobs by doing a proper pre-trip, drive defensively and for the conditions, we make it to our destinations without incident.
One perspective would say that is how we planned it. It is supposed to work that way. The truth is "Safely" rides with me each day in the person of Jesus Christ or one of His appointed angels. I could not be away from my family and loved ones as much as I am, doing what I do without his hand of protection over me and my loved ones. He has promised that He will not slumber nor sleep, even when I get the rest I need to drive the miles I do each day. I could do everything "right" according to human standards and still have it all go wrong. With my Lord, even if it goes wrong, humanly speaking, I am always in his care. That is true for all His Children. That is what enables us to exist and operate in a world full of "chance", "circumstance", and just plain "dumb luck."
I have included a picture of what the impact did to my bumper. It is made of 1/4 inch square steel tubing, set at 18 inches above the ground. I was doing 40 mph when I got hit.
Each day we get in a car, walk out of our homes, get out of bed and do a whole host of other things. We do them without thinking about the danger that exists all around us. If we did, how would we act? We might become paralyzed by the thoughts of what "might happen." I'm usually driving just feet away from other trucks that carry who knows what. A plethora of things could happen that would cause us to meet in one way or another. However, when all are doing their jobs by doing a proper pre-trip, drive defensively and for the conditions, we make it to our destinations without incident.
One perspective would say that is how we planned it. It is supposed to work that way. The truth is "Safely" rides with me each day in the person of Jesus Christ or one of His appointed angels. I could not be away from my family and loved ones as much as I am, doing what I do without his hand of protection over me and my loved ones. He has promised that He will not slumber nor sleep, even when I get the rest I need to drive the miles I do each day. I could do everything "right" according to human standards and still have it all go wrong. With my Lord, even if it goes wrong, humanly speaking, I am always in his care. That is true for all His Children. That is what enables us to exist and operate in a world full of "chance", "circumstance", and just plain "dumb luck."
I have included a picture of what the impact did to my bumper. It is made of 1/4 inch square steel tubing, set at 18 inches above the ground. I was doing 40 mph when I got hit.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Frustration
There was a load I had a couple of months back that really frustrated me. When I got to the shipper in Salt Lake City, the load was not ready. I sat backed up to the dock for over 6 hours. I was able to make it to my delivery on time. However, when I got there, I was not given a door for over two hours. I was able to take out my frustrations by unloading the truck myself. I got done in the same amout of time as the remainder of trucks that hired lumpers to unload them.
There are many days, sometimes weeks that seem to have occurences like this. The frustrations also include not getting home as often as I would like, not getting the miles I need, sitting under a load for four days when I could have delivered in less than two. I guess it's part of the industry. I'm sure many jobs have frustrations of their own that need to be dealt with.
Going through this reminds me of the frustration that Paul had with himself that he described in Romans. He talked about doing evil instead of the good he wanted to do. He just wished it would go away. But, he knew the struggle would not end as long as he lived on this earth. He would have to be patient and wait for perfection to come. Until then he would continue to struggle with his sinful flesh and fight at the urges and temptations to not do the good he needed to do as a believer.
The same is true for me and you. We need to deal with the frustrations each day. Put a smile on our faces and keep looking ahead to that time when we won't have to deal with them. Knowing that Christ has dealt with those weaknesses of ours by His perfect life, allows us to push on and stay "optimistic" about the future. Things will get better. We just drive on through and keep focused on the final destination.
There are many days, sometimes weeks that seem to have occurences like this. The frustrations also include not getting home as often as I would like, not getting the miles I need, sitting under a load for four days when I could have delivered in less than two. I guess it's part of the industry. I'm sure many jobs have frustrations of their own that need to be dealt with.
Going through this reminds me of the frustration that Paul had with himself that he described in Romans. He talked about doing evil instead of the good he wanted to do. He just wished it would go away. But, he knew the struggle would not end as long as he lived on this earth. He would have to be patient and wait for perfection to come. Until then he would continue to struggle with his sinful flesh and fight at the urges and temptations to not do the good he needed to do as a believer.
The same is true for me and you. We need to deal with the frustrations each day. Put a smile on our faces and keep looking ahead to that time when we won't have to deal with them. Knowing that Christ has dealt with those weaknesses of ours by His perfect life, allows us to push on and stay "optimistic" about the future. Things will get better. We just drive on through and keep focused on the final destination.
Monday, August 1, 2011
What I hear.
Communication is mainly about language and how it is used. For a truck driver you can use words/anacronymns like "DOT," "FMCSA," dispatcher, consignee, steers, drives, tandemns, "HOS," "bear" and "bear with a customer". The driver would know exactly what you are talking about. For teachers and students you say: detention, tardy, parent/teacher meeting, recess, or grades and they have the pictures in mind. For Pastors, words like confession, doctrine, absolution, worship, counseling and catechism, bring to mind all the hours that are spent each week in dealing with each one. Those in construction would know all about grade, pitch, slump, board feet, tensile strength and square footage. No matter what the profession, we all have our own jargon and language.
All too often, in some professions more than others, those words are accompanied by other words and language that is easy to say and be understood by all, even 4-year-olds. However, it grates on those not accustomed to hearing it and they are offended when they hear it. It is easy to find oneself following the examples of those around them and start using those very same words to fit in and get the point across. It is usually spoken to add some sort of emphasis or authority to what is said. Young people also think it makes them sound cool. Neither of those are true.
This gives us another area in which we can let our lights shine before men. James in chapter 3 of his Epistle writes: "With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be."
It takes a great amount of attentive effort to work at this. The place to start is by first recognizing how guilty each of us is in not using proper language/words in our daily life. Turn to the Lord with a repentant heart and ask for his forgiveness. Also, be willing to ask for that same forgiveness of those we have offended by the loose tongue we exercised. Go forward in that forgiveness and challenge yourself to use words that flow from a heart that has been washed and made white with the blood of Jesus. It is a task that is not easy. But, it is worth the effort. People will recognize and be more willing to listen to sweet words of love than words that cut and grate.
I had an ex-sailor tell me one time that he had earned the right to use any kind of language he wanted to. My initial response to that was, "You will have to answer to the Lord for your language." Since then, I have come up with another response: "You have also earned the right to not use that language." Take some time and think of what you might say to those who use harsh language around you. But first, be an example to them by the language you use/don't use on a regular basis. Then they might be more willing to listen to your admonition and guidance.
All too often, in some professions more than others, those words are accompanied by other words and language that is easy to say and be understood by all, even 4-year-olds. However, it grates on those not accustomed to hearing it and they are offended when they hear it. It is easy to find oneself following the examples of those around them and start using those very same words to fit in and get the point across. It is usually spoken to add some sort of emphasis or authority to what is said. Young people also think it makes them sound cool. Neither of those are true.
This gives us another area in which we can let our lights shine before men. James in chapter 3 of his Epistle writes: "With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be."
It takes a great amount of attentive effort to work at this. The place to start is by first recognizing how guilty each of us is in not using proper language/words in our daily life. Turn to the Lord with a repentant heart and ask for his forgiveness. Also, be willing to ask for that same forgiveness of those we have offended by the loose tongue we exercised. Go forward in that forgiveness and challenge yourself to use words that flow from a heart that has been washed and made white with the blood of Jesus. It is a task that is not easy. But, it is worth the effort. People will recognize and be more willing to listen to sweet words of love than words that cut and grate.
I had an ex-sailor tell me one time that he had earned the right to use any kind of language he wanted to. My initial response to that was, "You will have to answer to the Lord for your language." Since then, I have come up with another response: "You have also earned the right to not use that language." Take some time and think of what you might say to those who use harsh language around you. But first, be an example to them by the language you use/don't use on a regular basis. Then they might be more willing to listen to your admonition and guidance.
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