Following His Lead

Mary Beth Cole had completed her training as a long distance truck driver, and was on a trip with her husband, Wayne.  "Think you can take over for awhile?" Wayne asked, yawning.  "I need some rest."

"Sure."  Mary Beth's only fear was driving in the rain. But on this wintry day, weather conditions on the Indiana turnpike were cold but dry.  In a moment, Wayne had fallen asleep, and she was driving the huge rig all alone, completely in control. 

Well, not really, Mary Beth reflected as she stayed safely in the right lane.  It had been a long time since she had felt in control of anything, much less a truck, for life had been difficult lately.  Where was God, she often wondered.  Did He see?  Did He care?  With Christmas approaching, she longed for a deeper faith. 

Suddenly she tensed.  Was that rain on the windshield?  Mary Beth's heart began to pound as the sky darkened and heavy drops pelted the truck.  She couldn't drive now--she'd have to wake Wayne!  Yet she seemed paralyzed with fear. 

"Hey, Metropolitan!" Suddenly a man's voice on the CB radio broke into her terror.  "You're looking pretty good!" Mary Beth's truck had a "Metropolitan" logo. 

"Thanks-- where are you?" she responded shakily.

 “I'm that Ryder/Pie that just pulled ahead of you," the man answered.

Strange.  Mary Beth always paid careful attention to trucks passing her in the left lane, so she could steady her vehicle as they cleared the air space.  Yet she hadn't seen Ryder/Pie at all.

Where was he?  Mary Beth scanned the road ahead but there was no truck in view.  Well, rain was impeding her visibility now.  Perhaps she had missed him.  "What's going on, Ryder?" she asked.

The two lapsed into casual conversation, the kind CBers often exchange.  Yet Mary Beth sensed an unexpected warmth underneath the man's words.  A wonderful kind of peace seemed to be flooding the truck cab.  Slowly, despite the storm, she felt her fear fade, her spirit lift.

Hours passed, and the two continued to talk.  They covered the world’s problems, their own concerns and philosophies, even comments on the weather, but…     It was odd, Mary Beth realized, that although the trucker indicated he was just in front of her, she couldn't see him at all.  And why could she hear only his voice?  Usually, other drivers interrupted CB conversations or joined them.  But today she and her invisible companion seemed in a world all their own, as if everyone else was on another physical and emotional frequency.

Eventually the rain diminished.  "I'm turning off at the exit just ahead of you, Metropolitan," the man said.  "Take care now." 

"I will," Mary Beth answered, her heart full.  "And... thanks."

Mary Beth was approaching the exit too, and had a wide, unrestricted view.  Now she would see Ryder/Pie as he went down the ramp.  She watched for him, and watched...  But no truck ever appeared.

Christmas that year was a joyful day, filled with promise. Life might be hard sometimes, Mary Beth knew now.  But God--and His messengers--always had her in view.

(C) 2003  Joan Wester Anderson   www.joanwanderson.com

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