WWJD In A Truck Stop?
Fontana, CA: Night time at a very large truck stop about an hour from Los Angeles. It’s a popular truck stop with an immense parking lot. If you get here late, you may have to hike a good distance to get to a restroom, a meal, or a shower. The CB radio is popping tonight. One trucker has a problem with his lap top, and another has already diagnosed the problem as, “a short between the keyboard and the seat.” Meanwhile, another driver is selling audio books, one of which he claims contains, “sex, trust, seduction, and betrayal.” “Sounds like my relationship with my dispatcher,” answers another.
Into this no man’s land of freight, jokes, curses, threats and, I’ll wager, a fight or two before tomorrow, drives the truck pictured at right. With the words, “Jesus Christ is Lord, not a swear word,” emblazoned on his trailer, the driver pulled straight into a row where the lines designate diagonal parking and parked right over the words, “No Parking.” Additionally, the row he parked illegally on is designated as a “Quiet Zone,” with signs that read, “No Idling.” So of course, he’s idling his truck. His truck send one message, his actions quite another.
All of which begs the question: What Would Jesus Do at a truck stop? Trying not to be presumptuous, I’m pretty sure He would not condone the behavior of the driver of that truck. But taking it a step further, what would Jesus want the drivers of the trucks surrounding our sainted trucker to do? They showed up afterward and promptly blocked the “Jesus” truck in. He is boxed in by a truck to his left and one immediately behind him. If they are still there tomorrow morning, it will take a miracle for him to leave.
I know what the Good Book says, but just this once, I relish the possibility that Jesus might condone flattening his tires.
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Dec '10
Re: WWJD In A Truck Stop?
When he is able to leave he would be wise to check his 5th wheel really closely. Of course, his wisdom is somewhat in question after such behavior.
Re: WWJD In A Truck Stop?
He'd be well advised to check everything closely. Then again, if he were well advised, he wouldn't be parked there in the first place.
Sep '10
Re: WWJD In A Truck Stop?
Wrath is a necessary and positive part of human nature: “Wrath is the strength to attack the repugnant; the power of anger is actually the power of resistance in the soul,” wrote Josef Pieper. The lack of wrath against injustice, he continued, is a deficiency: “One who does good with passion is more praiseworthy than one who is ‘not entirely’ afire for the good, even to the forces of the sensual realm.”
Aquinas, too, says that “lack of the passion of anger is also a vice” because a man who truly and forcefully rejects evil will be angry at it. The lack of anger makes the movement of the will against evil “lacking or weak.” He quotes John Chrysostom: “He who is not angry, whereas he has cause to be, sins. For unreasonable patience is the hotbed of many vices, it fosters negligence, and incites not only the wicked but the good to do wrong.”
http://www.touchstonemag.com/archives/article.php?id=22-06-012-v#ixzz1ClaTPPIk
Re: WWJD In A Truck Stop?
Laughed out loud twice while reading the post, then again reading your reply to King Prawn. Getting readers to laugh out loud--do you know how difficult that is, Dave?
We're lucky to have you.
Jul '10
Re: WWJD In A Truck Stop?
Dave, I should hesitate to say this, but several of the nastiest people I have ever worked for were evangelical Christians.
One fellow, a 3rd-generation head of a multi-billion-dollar business out of North Carolina, hated having a major business unit in New York City, which he felt was a cesspit of sin.
When his father died and he stepped up to the corner office, he flew up to New York, gathered us all together and announced, "I understand there are rumors that we're going to close the New York office. I just came up here to tell you those rumors are true and you're all out of jobs."
Then he smirked at us, turned and left the room.
Re: WWJD In A Truck Stop?
Peter, you're very kind, but I'm the one that is lucky to be in such outstanding company. Fingers crossed that we'll head toward Palo Alto next...
Sep '10
Re: WWJD In A Truck Stop?
Here is my question: If Rob Long can hop a freighter with Mike Murphy, when will Peter Robinson and James Lileks take a cross-country trip with Dave?
Jun '10
Re: WWJD In A Truck Stop?
I imagine, for the truckers that have to share the parking lot with this fellow, "Jesus Christ" was only two of the swear words used in a flurry of words that have no other redeeming meaning in good company.
Great story, Dave.
Jul '10
Re: WWJD In A Truck Stop?
Dave, you're apparently unaware that Palo Alto has been over-run by rabid wolverines.
Here in (cough) San Rafael, we're safe from the onslaught....
Re: WWJD In A Truck Stop?
Pseudodionysius: ...The lack of wrath against injustice, he continued, is a deficiency: “One who does good with passion is more praiseworthy than one who is ‘not entirely’ afire for the good, even to the forces of the sensual realm.”
Aquinas, too, says that “lack of the passion of anger is also a vice” because a man who truly and forcefully rejects evil will be angry at it. The lack of anger makes the movement of the will against evil “lacking or weak.” He quotes John Chrysostom: “He who is not angry, whereas he has cause to be, sins. For unreasonable patience is the hotbed of many vices, it fosters negligence, and incites not only the wicked but the good to do wrong.”
· Feb 1 at 6:57pm
Pseudo, that reads like you composed it with a fountain pen. Beautiful. Does it mean I can go totally Samuel L. Jackson on that clown?
Re: WWJD In A Truck Stop?
Kenneth
Dave, you're apparently unaware that Palo Alto has been over-run by rabid wolverines.
Here in (cough) San Rafael, we're safe from the onslaught.... · Feb 1 at 7:27pm
Kenneth, where is Cough in relation to Palo Alto again? By the way, if Dad and I make it to see you, I promise an interesting discussion on your comment #5 above. Some of the finest people I've ever known have been associated with the ministry,..and some of the worst as well. On the whole, I think politics is a safer line of work.
May '10
Re: WWJD In A Truck Stop?
Dave,
There is always a decision a Christian must make in dealing with offenders. You deal out justice or grace. Christians should do what is best and most loving for the individual in question. Maybe just leaving the gentleman alone could be considered grace. I agree his behavior is obnoxious at first blush and often obnoxious people need justice more than grace. One of my bosses used to say, "we must assume incompetence before maliciousness". Maybe your trucker friend just severely lacks self awareness?
That all said, like Peter, I had to laugh at this story.
Nov '10
Re: WWJD In A Truck Stop?
I would pay serious money to see this.
Sep '10
Re: WWJD In A Truck Stop?
Pseudo, that reads like you composed it with a fountain pen. Beautiful. Does it mean I can go totally Samuel L. Jackson on that clown?
Hmmm. I suppose its useful to remember that Aquinas's commentary specifically referenced Jesus throwing the money changers out of the temple, and someone was selling audio books. They did invoke the name of Jesus is Lord, to which some wit could quip: "And on the 8th day, God created the flat tire and he saw that it was good."
(Bear in mind those are direct quotes and not my original composition I hate to say.)
Anger in the event of injustice is certainly justified, though I suppose even better would be some type of long, drawn out expensive inspection by the Tax Collectors (Satan's money changers).
Pieces of worn tread be upon him.
Re: WWJD In A Truck Stop?
Devin Cole: Dave,
There is always a decision a Christian must make in dealing with offenders. You deal out justice or grace. Christians should do what is best and most loving for the individual in question. Maybe just leaving the gentleman alone could be considered grace. I agree his behavior is obnoxious at first blush and often obnoxious people need justice more than grace. One of my bosses used to say, "we must assume incompetence before maliciousness". Maybe your trucker friend just severely lacks self awareness?
That all said, like Peter, I had to laugh at this story. · Feb 1 at 7:40pm
Yes, perhaps he lacks self awareness, in addition to situational awareness, the ability to read, or the ability to drive well, among other notable shortcomings. Would that he lacked a commercial drivers' license as well. In truth, you're right of course. His type of obnoxiousness can cause very real problems on the road, and that awareness feeds into the general frustration other truckers have with drivers like him.
But I'm glad you enjoyed the humor. I try to never leave home without it.
Jul '10
Re: WWJD In A Truck Stop?
Dave Carter
Kenneth
Dave, you're apparently unaware that Palo Alto has been over-run by rabid wolverines.
Here in (cough) San Rafael, we're safe from the onslaught.... · Feb 1 at 7:27pm
Kenneth, where is Cough in relation to Palo Alto again? By the way, if Dad and I make it to see you, I promise an interesting discussion on your comment #5 above. Some of the finest people I've ever known have been associated with the ministry,..and some of the worst as well. On the whole, I think politics is a safer line of work. · Feb 1 at 7:36pm
Geez, Dave, dontcha have Mapquest? San Rafael is about 50 miles north of Palo Alto, just past the Golden Gate Bridge.
Re: WWJD In A Truck Stop?
Kenneth
Dave Carter
Kenneth
Dave, you're apparently unaware that Palo Alto has been over-run by rabid wolverines.
Here in (cough) San Rafael, we're safe from the onslaught.... · Feb 1 at 7:27pm
Kenneth, where is Cough in relation to Palo Alto again? By the way, if Dad and I make it to see you, I promise an interesting discussion on your comment #5 above. Some of the finest people I've ever known have been associated with the ministry,..and some of the worst as well. On the whole, I think politics is a safer line of work. · Feb 1 at 7:36pm
Geez, Dave, dontcha have Mapquest? San Rafael is about 50 miles north of Palo Alto, just past the Golden Gate Bridge. · Feb 1 at 7:52pm
I use a divining rod.
Jun '10
Re: WWJD In A Truck Stop?
Dave Carter
On the whole, I think politics is a safer line of work. · Feb 1 at 7:36pm
I agree! No more religious forums for me!
Re: WWJD In A Truck Stop?
Perhaps the driver is really annoyed at being assigned a trailer displaying an overt Christian message and is sending a message to his superiors that this is a self-defeating policy. If I'm right, our errant trucker may be hoping to be boxed in tomorrow morning.
Re: WWJD In A Truck Stop?
Good point. Perhaps tomorrow will find him boxed in, eating waffles in the restaurant before retiring to the TV room to watch Oprah. Somehow, it wouldn't surprise me.