Tales from the Truckin’ Trail

Son Mitch (second from left) is in a very popular band from Texas called Homer Hiccolm and the Rocketboys.  They have a chance to play at Austin City Limits if they can garner enough votes.  The voting is close, and Homer Hiccolm and the Rocketboys could sure use your vote.  If you wish to vote, cast yours at the following site.  You can vote once a day.

http://acl.mp3.com/feature/soundandjury/?band=HOMER-HICCOLM-AND-THE-ROCKETBOYS

Thanks for your support.

It seems our culture presents every opportunity to veer from the path.  And no institution is exempt.  The pressures to conform are nearly overwhelming in politics, business, education, even religion.  As early as fourth grade, students feel the pressure to excel and, sadly, cheating is the direction some young students choose.

I am beginning to feel the pressure to conform to the “everyone does it” syndrome in my new vocation, and it scares and angers me.  Since first pursuing the possibility of becoming a truck driver, I have wondered if one could be a successful driver and not cheat.  I listened closely in school as instructors guided us through filling out the trucking log (a record of a driver’s rountine and hours at the wheel) to hear if they advocated cutting corners and stretching the truth in order to get the freight through on time.  I quizzed experienced drivers on this matter and all assured me that it would be difficult, but remaining honest was an option.   But that’s not what I am discovering in the real trucking world.  To be completely honest—to be in full compliance with state and federal laws—something else often has to suffer.  The only “product” trucking companies have to offer is service—on-time delivery of freight.  Delivering freight on time and safely often means cutting corners and stretching the truth on one’s driving log. 

It’s too soon to know whether I can remain honest and still deliver the goods on time.  The early signs raise doubts.  (Already, I have bent the truth to accomodate productivity.  I am embarrassed and sorry.)  It would so disappoint me to be forced out over integrity issues.

How do you do it?  Have you ever been in a position which forced you to choose integrity at the expense of something you value?  I’d like to know your story.

She stood there looking out of place, waiting for me when I returned to my truck from getting a bag of McNuggets.  About 5′4″, auburn hair and a shy smile, she seemed new at this.  “Could you use some company?” she asked.  Before I could answer she added, “I sure hope you need some company ’cause I need the money.” 

Truckers call these (mostly) young ladies “lot lizards” because they hang around truck stop parking lots, rest areas or other places where they are sure to find customers for the world’s oldest profession.  I’ve seen them before, but this was the first time I had ever encountered one face-to-face.  And I failed.

All I could say was, “No, I don’t need company, and you don’t need to be doing this.”  At this, she hurried off muttering something like, “But I really need the money.”  I got in the truck and with tears immediately began to pray that God would supply what she needed without her having to sacrifice her body and soul to get it.  I also asked God to forgive me for my brain freeze, knowing I was one immediate way God could have blessed this precious daughter.  How could I have been rendered so immobile on an occasion not nearly as dire as others I have faced during my years as a counselor?  “Counselor.”  I would laugh at that irony if my inability to respond to her wasn’t so sad.   Of course, as it turned out, I came up with a variety of more Godly responses about 40 miles down the road.

What would Jesus have said to her?  What would you have said?  Share your thoughts and later I’ll tell you what I’d do if I could do it over.  Truth is, chances are very good that I’ll have another chance.  And so might you.

I’m lonely, but I can’t afford the luxury of having one I love to come along…for he who travels fastest, goes alone.    (Lonesome Fugitive by Merle Haggard)

Lynn took a short trip with me last Sunday afternoon when I delivered 23,000 pounds of facial tissues to Searcy, AR (enough tissues for every Searcyite to blow their nose for a year!).  I was surprised when she said she would go with me since she had said earlier that she would be glad to join me on a trip only after I had several months of experience behind me. It’s amazing what a difference having another person in the truck makes, especially when it’s someone you love.  We had a good time even though Lynn was battling a cold.  Maybe one day she’ll go cross country with me.

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Two great blessings of being on the road are the sunrises and sunsets.  Last week as I motored toward the North Carolina border I was awed by the most beautiful sunrise I had ever seen.  The sun inched over the horizon bringing the brightest array of reds and oranges.  Each moment I thought it could not get any more glorious, the sky would become even brighter until it crescendo-ed into a mixture of colors so intense the clouds appeared purple and green.  Truly, the heavens declare the glory of God!  The display came just when I needed assurance of God’s presence, and the sunrise did the trick. 

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Another unique perspective of truckers is being able to see into passing cars.  I get a clear shot of what drivers are doing, eating, or watching when they zoom by.  For example, you wouldn’t believe how many drivers read while they drive.  I’ve seen people reading books, magazines or newspapers while speeding down the highway at 70 mph.  Many others actually watch a DVD while they drive.  I thought those were against the law, but many cars have players mounted on the dash in clear view of the driver.  And I thought cell phones were a hazard!

What’s the strangest thing you’ve seen a driver doing?

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Steve Jr. had a great example of our last blog when he and Chrissy encountered a man in an East Boston restaurant.  You can check it out at www.harvestboston.net