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-95 just outside of Bethlehem, PA he was not anticipating anything more than offering a lift to a stranded stranger.
“Thanks for stopping, Mister. I could really use your help.” The owner of the aging pick-up towing a horse trailer seemed like a regular Joe.
“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, 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?”
“No, I’m good.”
“All right, Merry Christmas!”
“Merry Christmas!” Lenny shouted, meaning it for the first time in 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.
The Conversation
Wonder and awe! My favorite topics. Great story, Lori.
I loved this post. I can still see the trucker out on the highway making snow angels. What an awesome story. God bless us every one.
Glenda Parker
http://glendaparkerfictionwriter.blogspot.com
I’m with Keiki, wonder and awe are special topics. So well written … I could see Lenny’s story unfold. Thanks for telling it. Merry, merry Christmas!
Wonderful Christmas story, Lori…glad you re-posted it from last year 🙂 one of our sons is an 18 wheeler trucker and on the road,and cross country for a few years…he has some fantastic stories, but nothing like this one! To God be the glory!
Lori, I am asking your permission to let me guest blog this story today? I want to put it on my Wall feed and also FB page:)
Thanks,
Sheri
my posts are gone ! saw them published and now gone…did you get them?
Loved the story. It needs one minor change to make it geographically correct. Bethlehem is just off of I-78 and not I-95. It is close to 60 miles to the nearest point on I-95, but it still touched me. Sorry for the correction, but it is from over twenty years of running up and down the roads and admittedly you do see some really strange things out there over the years. First time I was ever snowed in was very near that point. Nothing could move for over three days back in 86. Truckers carried 5 gallon cans of fuel to the trucks so the drivers could keep them running and keep warm. The restaurant ran out of food, but that was quickly remedied as all the things the kitchen needed were bought into the restaurant from the truckers trailers. After day 2 no one paid for anything except the fuel. Everything else, showers, meals, etc was free. It is something I will never forget.