Yesterday’s journey was a rollercoaster of challenges, decisions, and ultimately, a profound lesson in faith and grace. As a trucker, navigating California’s strict bridge law regulations is always a delicate balance between following the rules and being legal, and the strenuous requirements we truckers face in following compliance. Here’s what happened:
We began our day at Cambell’s Soup in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, ready to haul a load to Hermiston, Oregon. However, delays ensued when we discovered severe rust on our trailer tandems, rendering them immovable. The shipper kindly assisted us by transloading the cargo onto a different trailer, a process that took several hours but eventually got us on our way.
Arriving at the Flying J in Fontana, we scaled out on the cat scale, only to discover that our trailer was over the 34,000-pound weight limit by 250 pounds. Despite setting the tandems at the 40-foot mark for California regulations, I faced a tough decision. We had already lost considerable time at the shipper, and I made a judgment call to adjust the tandems slightly beyond the legal mark to ensure compliance with weight limits. It was a risky move, as it put us in violation of bridge law regulations, but I deemed it necessary to proceed.
Realizing the potential consequences of our decision, we wasted no time in getting out of California. We took the I-15 north to Victorville, then the 395 through Lone Pine and Bishop on our way to Reno. With each mile, the weight of uncertainty bore down on me, and I turned to prayer for guidance and protection.
As we approached the weigh station in Victorville, my anxiety peaked. What if we were caught? What if our risk-taking backfired? In that moment, I felt the full weight of my choices and pleaded with God for mercy and intervention. I kept praying over and over, pouring my heart and soul into each petition, begging for a sign, for help, for mercy.
In the intensity of that moment, I couldn’t help but wonder: why don’t I pray like this for other matters in my life? Why don’t I approach every challenge, every decision, with the same fervor and desperation? Perhaps it’s the immediacy of the situation, the tangible consequences looming large, that drives me to such depths of prayer. Or perhaps it’s a reminder that I should carry this level of faith and urgency into every aspect of my life, not just when faced with crisis on the road.
Finally we approached the scale. It was open. I rolled across the Weigh on motion sensor and got the red-light on my pre-pass. I had to go into the scale. Lord have mercy! As I got closer to the scale, the large overhead marquee sign said “ALL TRUCKS ENTER SCALE” I thought this is it, my prayers weren’t heard and I’m gonna have to deal with my choices. I mentally prepared for the worst.
But then, just as we neared the scale, the overhead marquee sign switched to “SCALE CLOSED DO NOT ENTER.” It was a moment of divine intervention, a clear sign that our prayers had been heard and answered. The relief washed over me, and I felt the weight of anxiety and guilt lifted from my shoulders.
Reflecting on this experience, I realized the parallels between our journey on the road and our spiritual journey in life. Just as risky decisions on the road can lead to anxiety and consequences, so too can sins and moral compromises burden our souls with shame and guilt. But just as divine intervention spared us from trouble on the road, so too can repentance and redemption free us from the chains of sin.
As I move forward, I’m going to hold onto my promise to take Lent seriously this year, to honor my commitment, and to embrace the blessings and struggles that lie ahead. I hope my journey on the road and in faith continues to be guided by trust, and any risk talong tempered with wisdom, and the ever-present grace of God.
In the quiet moments of reflection, I marvel at the wonder of God’s providence and the power of prayer. Our Lenten struggle is not just a period of sacrifice and repentance but a journey of transformation, guided by God.
I hope your Lenten journey is going well, and that your pascha preparations are fruitful! Thank you for reading my friends.
– Orthodox Trucker
Orthodox Trucker 