Father, as I come to you tonight, I like to think that I am sliding up beside You. Your arm pulls me close, and I sit in the comfort and warmth of Your presence. Peace and assurance I find here, and I am content.
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Yesterday I took our band to a competition that was a little over an hour away. These thoughts came to mind a few weeks ago, on my return trip from taking the band on a similar trip. Driving to the venues there’s plenty to see – the beauty of nature, homes, towns, and traffic of course. Coming home is another matter. Last night, we pulled into our high school just before midnight. So, our trip home both times was way after sunset. Driving at that point, I only see what lies within the reach of my headlights, including occasional streetlights and the headlights of oncoming traffic.
Along with concentrating on what lies before me, my mind cannot help but dwell on what lies behind me. There are at least 35 or 40 students who ride the “quiet” bus. I know a handful personally in that they’ve been on routes I’ve driven. But most, including the adults, I don’t know. So, as I am trucking down the road, all of those souls are in my hands. One vehicle crossing left of center, a tree falling suddenly across my path, one misjudgment on my part, a big buck crossing out of nowhere in front of me – any of those and a thousand things more, could lead to catastrophic consequences.
Some don’t think a whole lot about bus drivers, but that is a huge amount of responsibility!
I’m not looking for a pat on the back, but when my mind goes down that path, I cannot help but think back to when I was the student being transported, by a committed soul behind the wheel of a school bus. …and I can only remember the name of one bus driver throughout the entirety of my school years.
The kids on my trips have been super nice, and most express gratitude for me driving, and it’s nice to hear, even though they’ve been encouraged by the adult leadership to do so. It’s even more gratifying to hear my name from the handful who know me personally.
I guess what I’m trying to say is that we should be better about remembering those who’ve impacted us in some way over the years.
My wife, Karen, is in her twenty-first year of teaching – mostly in the 1st grade. One thing that touches her is when students remember her. There’s a handful who, while still in elementary, will stop by regularly, at the beginning and end of each day, to hug her. A few years ago, a graduating senior invited her to his graduation party. She had impacted him, and all those years later he had not forgotten.
It’s important to remember. I wish there was some way for me to go back and acknowledge people who impacted me along my life’s journey, for I’m sure that I did that far less than I should have. Unfortunately, for many, it is no longer possible.
Although Karen and I are followers of Christ, and the culture in which we live causes us to hold back on what we can say in that regard, nothing can stop us from living out our relationship with Him before their eyes.
Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith. Hebrews 13:7 NLT
Oct 23rd, 2022, Sun, 8:01 pm
