Lenny the Trucker and the Christmas Eve Rescue

Lenny Thomas had seen it all.

He’d been a big-rig trucker for thirty-five years and nothing surprised him anymore. He’d crossed the country more times than he could remember and run across every character you could imagine and some you couldn’t.

As he pulled up behind the break down on I-81 just outside of Bethlehem, PA he was not anticipating anything more than offering a lift to a stranded stranger.

The owner of the aging pick-up towing a horse trailer seemed like a regular Joe. “Thanks for stopping, Mister. I could really use your help.”

“Truck’s seen better days.” Lenny brushed snowflakes off his canvas coat. “Need a lift?”

“No, sir. It’s my wife.” He led Lenny to the horse trailer and shone his flashlight in on a young woman in obvious labor. “We’ve got no place to go, no insurance. Her time’s arrived right here, right now. I – I’ve never done this. I called 911 but that was 20 minutes ago. I think the baby’s coming now.”

The young woman screamed and Lenny figured he’d better grab a blanket from the truck. Ten minutes later, after much sweating and more blood than he usually cared to encounter, Lenny held in his rough mitts a squawking, squirming baby boy.

As the young father tended to his wife, Lenny wrapped the baby in an old flannel blanket and stared at the new life. The boy’s hand curled around his finger and Lenny felt something he hadn’t felt in years. Awe.

The horse trailer rocked as another rig sped by, too close for comfort, and suddenly the world seemed a most dangerous, dirty, terrifying place for one so small and so pure. Lenny didn’t even know this child but he cradled him close to his chest and silently prayed for his protection, his health, and his future.

Tears rolled down the old trucker’s cheeks, as, for the first time in years, he was awestruck that the God of all creation had chosen to send His son in such a vulnerable package to such a sinful world.

Lenny didn’t even know this infant’s name and already he’d protect him with his own life. The full-impact of the Father’s sacrifice for the sinners inhabiting this planet struck Lenny like a meteor in the desert.

“Sir, I’ll take him now.” The boy’s father reached out and Lenny reluctantly placed the little package in his arms. “Thank you for all your help.”

Lenny stood by the side of the road for a long time scanning the starry sky – half expecting to see a choir of angels.

Suddenly, another rig pulled up behind his and the driver shouted to him above the engine noise, “You need assistance?”

“Nope, I’m good.”

“All right, Merry Christmas!”

“Merry Christmas!” Lenny shouted, meaning it for the first time in many years.

The Pennsylvania State police received a dozen calls that night reporting a crazy truck driver dancing by the side of the highway, waving at passers-by and lying on the embankment making snow angels.

Reclaim your sense of wonder and awe! God can do that for you if you’ve lost it. Ask Him and see what happens. He makes all things new.

Remember: Reclaim your sense of wonder and awe! God can do that for you if you’ve lost it.

Read: Luke 2:1-21, John 3:16

Pray: For yourself and for those around you to have a renewed sense of awe as you consider the gift of Jesus Christ.

Be blessed this Christmas, loved ones. Jesus is with us now and will be with us whatever the New Year brings. You’re all in my prayers. Be blessed.