Somebody (a peer) asked me, “Hey, what do you think of Martin’s Lutheran?” This is what came to mind.
Years ago, I was on my way to work and turned onto 64th Ave S. in Horace. I was following one of the West Fargo School buses, bus 44, to be exact. There is a trailer court at the intersection of 64th and Sheyenne, and bus 44 stopped at the entrance to that trailer court, turned its lights on, and put out its stop sign.
As soon as the bus safely stopped, the door opened. Out jumped what looked like a middle school girl with arms flailing wide as she ran lickety-split for her home. I smiled because I knew what had transpired moments before on that bus.
That little girl sat right behind Bus Driver 44, and it went something like this…
“I forgot my homework! Please, oh please, oh please, can we stop? I promise I will run as fast as I can. Please, oh pleeease!
Bus Driver 44 had a choice to make. He could stick to the rules. Rules are rules, after all. Do not back traffic up more than you have too. Do not be late getting kids to school. Keep to the schedule. Hold kids responsible. The list goes on. Or he could save the little girl from having to stand in front of a teacher and explain that she forgot her homework.
He chose to save the girl! Cars were seven deep behind the bus when the girl finally returned to her seat. Seven adults were inconvenienced a little later than they would have been, but a little girl had a good day.
So, let me say this. Praise the Lord for Bus Driver 44 and the entire legion of Bus Driver 44’s in the world. I have smiled every time I have driven by that location for a long time. I am happy to know that Bus Driver 44 is on the job. It makes me smile to know that Bus Driver 44 cares more about children than he does about his schedule. It delights me that Bus Driver 44 acts like Jesus.
So, Martin’s Lutheran, “Listen closely!” You are Bus Driver 44. Month after month and year after year, you deal with many challenges in your life. And in the midst of it all, you serve your families, neighbors, church, and the world. All of this you do because somebody else forgot to do it, could not do it, or would not do it. So, you do it – sometimes at great cost.
You represent God very well. So, to answer the question, “Hey, what do you think of Martin’s Lutheran?” I would say, “Martin’s Lutheran is doing God’s work!” And I just wanted to say…
Thank You
-Pastor Corey
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