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TRUST JESUS TODAY

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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Start (01/16/06)
The furnace was wheezing after a long night of keeping me comfortable. It was still dark when I looked outside. I knew there was a job to do, but I wasn’t exactly looking forward to that first blast of cold air as I made my way to my car. Bundled up in the warmest clothing I owned, I opened the car door which made a chittering sound as it opened and closed. I sat on the cold seat, but felt little ill effects since I was wearing about four layers of clothing that provided a thermal barrier against the cold. I turned the key and allowed the starter to work its magic on the engine. It took several turns of the key and some serious pumping of the gas before the engine grumbled to life. I let the engine run for about twenty minutes before I ventured out in a world brought to a halt by temperatures exceeding forty below zero.

My car was still cold but it was only three miles to my destination, so I put up with my own chattering teeth. When I arrived, I put a bandana over my nose and mouth. I spotted Noble and Jimmy, we were the crew that would make sure there were enough school buses running to get kids to school on time.

I had taken the job of school bus driver when I was still a senior in high school. Frankly, I never anticipated wandering around at 4:30 am in conditions like these, yet I was there cranking engines and jump starting others. Many of the regular buses stood immovable in their stalls in the bus garage. Sure, the garage wasn’t heated, but I had thought most of them would have started.

Noble and I went over to a fenced area with six buses that had been put out to pasture. Four of them would need to start if there was going to be enough buses to meet the current transportation crisis. My eyebrows were seriously frosted when I walked the steps into the first bus. I sat in the driver’s seat and cranked the engine. Maybe it shouldn’t have surprised me, but the bus started on the first try. The truth was, only one of the four ‘older’ buses required a jump start.

One by one the regular bus drivers arrived and climbed into the warm buses - school would start on time.

I am keenly aware that it takes a rather Herculean effort to make sure all the things we count on for our early morning commute are ready to roll. Someone has to start the coffee in hundreds of thousands convenience stores. Someone has to start cooking breakfast before the sun ever comes up. Someone folds newspapers and delivers them in all kinds of weather. Someone makes sure the schools are ready to be used for another day. Someone has to make sure the buses are ready to roll.

If “This is the day that the Lord has made,” then rejoice and then say thank you to someone who helped start it right. They rarely get thought of and hardly ever receive a word of gratitude. Start with God first and then let the joy spread.
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This article has been read 1431 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Steve Clark
01/23/06
Thank you for the chance to revisit my past. You captured the sense of purpose and initiative very well. I had forgotten how fresh the mornings were as we fought against the cold, the dark, the rain, the frost, and even the snow as we got things going. There's something about working alongside others against the inertia of a nation, a region, or a community that gladdens a person's life. Getting things going is the work that inspires and leads. It always put a warm smile in my heart! Thanks.
Sally Hanan
01/24/06
This could have been really boring, which shows your great talent :) I liked it, especially the bit about the older ones starting on the first go :)
Marilyn Schnepp 
01/25/06
I chose to read your Challenge due to the Title; rather unique, one might say. And I was pleasantly surprised - it was not only interesting, entertaining and enjoyable - but captured the heart of "start", which we do take for granted...all those folks you mentioned as "starting" our day, including God! Very well done and a terrific read! (PS: Loved the humor!)
Angie Schulte
01/25/06
Your aticle made me want to seek warmer clothing just reading it.. Nice job on the imagery and story telling.. Thanks for sharing..
Val Clark
01/25/06
A good slice of life story, told well and with a provoking 'punch line'. Yeggy
Shari Armstrong 
01/27/06
Shiver - well done - and a job I wouldn't want to have!
Jan Ackerson
01/27/06
I love the line about your frosted eyebrows. Great job of writing with a relaxed, easy voice.
Crista Darr
01/27/06
Wow, this is just lovely. It makes me want to go around thanking everyone. Thank YOU!
Pat Guy
01/27/06
*clap!clap!* This is wonderful! Good work! Terrific talent! Carried me along from beginning to end. Just great!
Sandra Petersen
01/29/06
Up here, when temps get that cold, school is called for the day because there's usually a wind chill making it worse! Good meditation on all those who start the day in the wee hours and get it running smoothly for the rest of us. Your ending thought was well taken. God first, then spread your joy to others.Good job, despite the chilly descriptions!
Maxx .
01/29/06
Strong ending... a little rough at the beginning. Once it got down to 40 ABOVE zero here ..... We stayed in doors. hey! I live on the Pacific Beach! What do you expect!