The Backbone of America - Truckers

When I was about 18 or 19 years old my dad would talk about how he wanted to start his own trucking company with my brothers once they graduated from high school. I'm the oldest in a family of four kids and my brother Fred is six years younger than I am and I didn't see why we had to wait for him to grow up before we could start our trucking company.

So I remember the day that I told my dad that I wanted to be a truckdriver and help him and my brothers with the trucking company. My dad just laughed at me and said, "Estas loca enanita? Estas muy chapara para subir y amarar los viajes, mejor estudia papar poder hacer los libros de la compania".

I know right? How dare he dismiss me like that! What? Oh...you don't read espanol? Ok, let me translate. What my dad said is, "Are you crazy little midget?" (this is what he called me cause I'm only 5'2" and he's 6 foot.) "You are too short to climb up and tie down the loads. Why don't you study to be the company bookkeeper instead?"

He burst my bubble, let me tell you. But being the ever dutiful daughter I went to Bakersfield College and got my Associates Degree in Accounting. I did my share but by then both my brothers had decided they didn't even want to be truckers!!! I can't blame my dad though, he was old school and women just didn't drive trucks in those days.

But things have really changed. Now I work as an insurance agent specializing in policies for trucking and transportation; so I get to speak daily to a lot of truckers, even women truckers. While I love my job, I really feel a little twinge of jealousy when I speak with truckers and they're driving through snow in North Carolina or rain storms in Washington and I'm just sitting there, day after day behind my little desk living vicariously through their stories on the road! But I look awful cheerful while I sit there don't I?

Truck drivers are some of the hardest workers I know. My brother Fred actually did eventually become a truck driver and he's up sometimes at 2 or 3am in order to get a load to where it needs to go on time. While I dread my small 25 minute commute to and from work, Fred has to drive through Los Angeles and San Francisco traffic on a daily basis. He was to deal with flat tires, crazy suicidal drivers and long, lonely roads. I can't imagine myself on the road as a truck driver now...I don't even like getting my hands dirty while I gas up my personal vehicle!

Lately though, I've gotten hooked on watching a great show on the History Channel called Ice Road Truckers. Have you ever watched this show? It's so exciting. There's a woman truck driver on the show right now named Lisa Kelly and I want to be her! I would never have the courage now, but I would like to think that way back when I would have done what she is doing!

Lisa has to fight the big boys daily to keep her job. She has to work harder than they do just to prove herself worthy to be there. She's just a little bitty thing but she has the experience and she's showing them that she has what it takes. I love watching her tie down the loads and putting chains on the tires in the snow.

The next season of Ice Road Truckers is going to be even more exciting to watch because of this woman! Not only can she keep up with the big boys...she's looks gorgeous doing it! Go Lisa!!...do us women who wanted to be truckers and woman who are truckers PROUD!

Freely, Freely

God forgave my sin in Jesus' name
I've been born again in Jesus' name
And in Jesus' name I come to you
To share His love as He told me to

Refrain:

He said: 'Freely, freely, you have received
Freely, freely give
Go in My name, and because you believe
Others will know that I live.'

All power is given in Jesus' name
In earth and heaven in Jesus' name
And in Jesus' name I come to you
To share His power as He told me to

Composer: Carol Owens (1972)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) series.

Come, O Thou Traveller Unknown

Come, O thou Traveller unknown,
whom still I hold, but cannot see!
My company before is gone,
and I am left alone with thee.
With thee all night I mean to stay,
and wrestle till the break of day;
with thee all night I mean to stay,
and wrestle till the break of day.

I need not tell thee who I am,
my misery and sin declare;
thyself hast called me by my name,
look on thy hands and read it there.
But who, I ask thee, who art thou?
Tell me thy name, and tell me now.
But who, I ask thee, who art thou?
Tell me thy name, and tell me now.

Yield to me now, for I am weak,
but confident in self despair!
Speak to my heart, in blessing speak,
be conqured by my instant prayer.
Speak, or thou never hence shalt move,
and tell me if thy name is Love.
Speak, or thou never hence shalt move,
and tell me if thy name is Love.

'Tis Love! 'tis Love! Thou diedst for me,
I hear thy whisper in my heart.
The morning breaks, the shadows flee,
pure, Universal Love thou art.
To me, to all, thy mercies move;
thy nature and thy name is Love.
To me, to all, thy mercies move;
thy nature and thy name is Love.

Text: Charles Wesley (1742)
Tune: VERNON 88.88.88 (Sacred Harp #95)

Have Thine O Way, Lord

Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Thou art the potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after thy will,
while I am waiting, yielded and still.

Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Search me and try me, Savior today!
Wash me just now, Lord, wash me just now,
as in thy presence humbly I bow.

Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Wounded and weary, help me I pray!
Power, all power, surely is thine!
Touch me and heal me, Savior divine!

Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Hold o'er my being absolute sway.
Fill with thy Spirit till all shall see
Christ only, always, living in me!

Text: Adelaide A. Pollard (1902)
Tune: ADELAIDE, 54.54D, by George C. Stebbins (1907)

Savior, Like A Shepherd Lead Us

Savior, like a shepherd lead us,
much we need thy tender care;
in thy pleasant pastures feed us,
for our use thy folds prepare.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus!
Thou hast bought us, thine we are.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus!
Thou hast bought us, thine we are.

We are thine, thou dost befriend us,
be the guardian of our way;
keep thy flock, from sin defend us,
seek us when we go astray.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus!
Hear, O hear us when we pray.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus!
Hear, O hear us when we pray.

Thou hast promised to receive us,
poor and sinful though we be;
thou hast mercy to relieve us,
grace to cleanse and power to free.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus!
We will early turn to thee.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus!
We will early turn to thee.

Early let us seek thy favor,
early let us do thy will;
blessed Lord and only Savior,
with thy love our bosoms fill.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus!
Thou hast loved us, love us still.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus!
Thou hast loved us, love us still.

Text: Attr. to Dorothy A. Thrupp (1836)
Tune: BRADBURY, 87.87 D, by William B. Bradbury (1859)

Blow Ye The Trumpet, Blow

Blow ye the trumpet, blow!
The gladly solemn sound
let all the nations know,
to earth's remotest bound:

Refrain:

The year of jubilee is come!
The year of jubilee is come!
Return, ye ransomed sinners, home.

Jesus, our great high priest,
hath full atonement made;
ye weary spirits, rest;
ye mournful souls, be glad: (Refrain)

Extol the Lamb of God,
the all atoning Lamb;
redemption in his blood
throughout the world proclaim. (Refrain)

Ye slaves of sin and hell,
your liberty receive,
and safe in Jesus dwell,
and blest in Jesus live: (Refrain)

Ye who have sold for nought
your heritage above
shall have it back unbought,
the gift of Jesus' love: (Refrain)

The gospel trumpet hear,
the news of heavenly grace;
and saved from earth, appear
before your Savior's face: (Refrain)

Text: Charles Wesley (1750)
Tune: LENOX, 66.66.88, by Lewis Edson (1782) (Sacred Harp #40)

It Is Well With My Soul

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
when sorrows like sea billows roll;
whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

Refrain:

It is well with my soul,
it is well, it is well with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
let this blest assurance control,
that Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
and hath shed his own blood for my soul. (Refrain)

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul! (Refrain)

And, Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
the clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
the trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
even so, it is well with my soul. (Refrain)

Historical Information

Text: Horatio G. Spafford (1873)
Tune: VILLE DU HAVRE, 11 8.11 9 with Refrain, by Philip P. Bliss (1876)