Exit & Restaurant

[[VET]Bud]

Dearest Father above,

Long before I found religion, my life took a nose dive shortly after my wife left me with our three children, moving 800 miles away. While that may have been tough for some, I thought the party was just beginning and although I had no roof over my head, I lived out of my car, often sleeping on the ground in a church parking lot. Ironic, isn't it? The next few months were tough, finally a friend let me room there and I was volunteering time serving meals at the Salvation Army, where in the preceeding month, I lived and breathed their hospitality, my first real act of selflessness by giving back. Still, I knew what I was doing was charity but I only did it out of fairness. I had yet to give myself to Christ.

Moving from one government contract to another, I just didn't quiet fit in, or found yet a higher paying position, chasing the corporate ladder. Still, I missed my kids and my ex, although we talked more now than when we were together. My girlfriend, however, made short work of distracting my thoughts from God and family by helping me keep the blinders on to everything that was important. Yea, I was happy with my worldly gains but inside, something was missing and I knew what it was, except I didn't want to let go of my free ride.

Several years later, reverting to health care profession, I was pursuing a LPN degree, when a friend of mine suggested I take up trucking. Three months later, I was hauling freight from one coast to the other, spending many hours listening to the gospel, the only place where God and I could interact. I listened to preachers across America and learning more about my walk with Christ. Soon after that, I was going to church, to the surprise of my girlfriend that didn't want anything to do with it. Still, I went, trucked, and made progress.

Then, my life changed forever.

On one trip from Atlanta, going south of I-75 towards Florida, about mid day, clear blue ahead, and light traffic, "Go to the TA Restaurant." "What?" My radio and CB were off and I began to see where my Nokia phone was-- it hadn't gone off. The exit for the TA came and went, breathing a sign of relief. "Go to the TA Restaurant, now." I felt the hairs on my neck stand up and I got off the next exit, wipped across the interstate and drove 20 miles north to the TA. Got off, parked and went into the truckstop.

Mind you, I've never been in this restaurant but I had fueled here many times and I was a regular customer at the fuel desk, so I had a thought this might be a prank and I was ready for anything, except what happended next.

Walking into the restaurant, it was empty, besides the bar tender. I stood there, at the door waiting for someone to come out and go 'boo- surprise!', but no luck. Going in, I looked around, looked back at the bartender, and sat down, ordering water. I was trying to make sense of how I would tell the guy behind the bar this crazy thing I heard to strike up a conversation, but I couldn't find the words.

In that moment, I noticed an African American, another trucker, standing in the door way, with the same look. Our eyes locked, and in that moment, I had read enough that I had a feeling what was next. He came over, and without so much as a word, "He told you?" My face lit up, "Yes! I'm not crazy! Thank God!" We couldn't contain ourselves, and as quickly as he would say something, I would finish his comment-- and vice versa!

"Why don't you two get a room...", came from an elderly man that was sitting across the bar from us, that we hadn't noticed walk in. For the life of me, I can't remember the guys name I was fellowshipping with, so I'll refer to him as Bill. "...you deserve eachother." Bill, and I felt the spirit move within us, and as we spoke, God's message came out, both of us talking seperately, completing the other's message. This went on for a couple minutes, and then as easily as God had used us as his mouth piece, the message was over. "You two are the 5th couple that has spoke to me like this." We answered, "God loves you, brother, and will never give up, never." "Well, I'm too old, mangy, beyond saving...", he regarded us for an answer. "God won't give up on you. May we pray with you?", we asked. He accepted and we closed in prayer.

Bill and I had tears, happy ones, pouring out of our eyes. We hugged and kissed (cheeks) and hugged again. We both had busy schedules. "By the way, where were you when you heard?" Bill said he was told the day before and to hurry. We smiled, hugged one last time and went our own ways.

In 99, my wife and I got back together and in 2000, we remarried, this time in church, with the congregation in attendance, family and friends.

I've been asked many times to leave the transportation industry, by preachers and church leaders, to which I have always replied, I can't, not until God says so. "Why not?" I explain to them that when I'm out on the road, talking to fellow truckers, God's ministry works through many of us, by sharing his word, his truth, and our testimony. Many times I've given that over the radio, to find myself in a rest area, truck stop, or on the side of the road with other drivers, praying, sharing, and fellowshipping.

Through my example, my wife and two of my three children have accept Christ and I continue to be an example to my youngest son.

I share this with all of you, in Christ's name, Amen.