It was early in my journey of exploring courage and I was becoming more and more aware of the opportunities to act courageously every day.
We had just moved from the twin cities to Fergus Falls. My wife had started her new job while I was looking for work while doing my best to feel my way in the dark as I started to build my business around being courageous.
I was looking online in the local classifieds to find anything that might generate some income at least for the short term to help pay the bills.
As I scanned the screen I came across one that looked promising. Driver wanted. I could drive.
The ad gave a number so I wrote it down, went to bed and would call the number first thing in the morning.
First thing in the morning I got up and dialed the number. The man answered and I told him I was responding to his online ad.
He asked if I had a valid driver’s license. Yes. He asked if I’d ever driven a truck before. In my mind I was thinking a big pick up or maybe even a box truck or something like that. Yes. He asked if I could drive a stick shift. Yes, my wife taught me. I didn’t tell him that part but she did.
He asked if I could be at his farm the next day at 8 am. Yes. He gave me directions to his farm and told me to drive past his farm to a road that led out into his fields. Just take a right and go a little ways and you’ll see us out there, he said. That was it. Short and sweet. There must not be too much to the driving duties.
The next day I did as he said. I went past his farm, found the road and took a right. I went over a little knoll and there they were.
Suddenly, fear filled every part of my body as I realized what I was getting into. These weren’t pick ups, or box trucks or even dump trucks. These were eighteen wheel semis.
I had never even been in a semi before. In my conversation the day before I had never given the gentleman my name and he hadn’t asked for it. I could turn around and he would never know.
Wait. I’m starting to build this business around courage and I want to be seen as the “courage guy.” Maybe that courage thing isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Once again, I was given the opportunity to be courageous and work through my fear or turn and run like I had done way too many times in my life.
I kept going, pulled up to the trucks and went and introduced myself. I don’t think he could hear my voice quiver or see my hand shake.
He introduced me to Andy. Andy would teach me what I needed to know.
Andy told me to get in the driver’s seat. I told him I’d never been in a semi before much less driven one.
He got in the driver’s seat and we drove back to the farm.
Andy did a couple of things and then told me we were going to head out into the country roads and I was going to learn to drive.
He told me, again, to hop in the driver’s seat. I did. I didn’t fit. I couldn’t shift and my legs were in the way of the large steering wheel.
Saved. This was my way out. I could still say I was courageous but it just didn’t work out. Surely all the trucks are just like this.
Andy told me to get in the truck next to this one. It had a smaller wheel and a bigger cab. Rats.
Off we went and before I knew it I was driving a semi. Check online and you’ll see schools to get a CDL license take anywhere from three to seven weeks. In a matter of two hours I was driving a semi.
I didn’t do anything but drive on the back roads that day for an hour or so. Andy said the next day we would start picking up loads and delivering them.
The next morning I got in on the passenger side and Andy drove out to the fields. When we got there he showed me what I would do as I drove along side the equipment that loaded the truck.
When the truck was full Andy hopped out and told me had to leave and the truck was now mine to deliver the load.
Did these people have any idea what they were doing putting me in charge of this big truck?
I did it. I drove a semi and successfully loaded and delivered several loads that day!
The day before I had never even been in a semi and now I was driving one all by myself. It was truly one of the most incredible feelings I have ever experienced. I had courageously worked through my fear that had been so strong I was feeling literally sick.
What have you done recently that scares you? Have you done anything courage recently?
I encourage you to make yourself uncomfortable this week!
Joshua 1:9
Have a STRONG and COURAGEOUS day!
Great story. A few years ago I took a truck driving job for a few months (bakery delivery) because we needed the money to stay alive. For me, the hard part was the humiliation I felt. Here, a well-educated guy with three degrees was now delivering bread, cakes and donuts for a few bucks an hour. The good news was I used the time alone in the cab in the wee hours of the morning to think, pray and even write poetry. That I drove every day from Loveland CO to Estes Park, CO helped with the meditation. It’s a beautiful drive at any hour, but quiet, magnificent and awe-inspiring in the morning as the sun rises.
Thanks for sharing your great story, Ron! Having to humble ourselves is a very courageous thing to do. It’s obvious that even in your low time you were able to recognize this was an opportunity and you took advantage of it. As you well know, the Bible is virtually all stories of God meeting people in their low points and drawing them back to him. I always enjoy and appreciate your engagement, Ron! Blessings!