If you ask me if my momma is a great cook, I’ll answer, “Yes, she is.”
If you ask if me if mom is fun, I’ll answer, “She’s a hoot.”
If you ask me what is one of my mom’s greatest talents, I’ll answer, “She can drive anything.”
Mom grew up on the same farm I did. Whereas I loved working in the garden, she loved being out in the fields. She was driving farm trucks across them before she had her driver’s license. There were even times she drove the tractor. If it needed to be driven, she’d jump in and go.
Back in the mid-seventies, she agreed to drive a school bus. Of course, she took right to it. That was a good thing because she had to rely on her driving skills to get the kids home.
Her bus route was out in the country around Raccoon Valley Road. One of the roads was a dead end. After she let the last kids on the road out, she drove down to a small graveled area and turned the bus around. On this one particular day, cars were parked in the turn around. Much to her chagrin, she couldn’t see anybody around. There was only one thing to do. She shifted the straight shift into reverse and began to back the full-sized school bus up the road.
This was a big deal for a few reasons. First, the road was very curvy. Or as mom liked to say: “Snakey.” Second, it was uphill all the way. Third, all she had to see where she was going were her mirrors. She backed up for about half a mile before she reached a safe place to turn around. By that time, the engine was running hot.
“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 (KJV)
In this verse, God is referring to more than food and other material needs. He is also taking about training and talents. I believe all the driving mom did while growing up helped her to prepare for that day. Don’t ever forget: He knows what you need before you do.
This story about my mom has always impressed me. There’s no way I could have done what she did without taking out a few mailboxes or going into a ditch. To be honest, I can’t drive a straight shift, so I wouldn’t even have been able to shift the bus into reverse. But I can write about it.
Brooke Cox is an author, speaker, and storyteller. She was a 2016 Selah Awards Finalist for Debut Novel. Her children’s book: “Dinosaur Eggs,” is now available. It is based on Ephesians 6: The Armor of God. Her novel “Until the Moon Rises: A Conniving Cousin Mystery” is also available. Also, she has two books out in her storytelling series: “Saucy Southern Stories.” The Amazon links for her books may be found on her website: brookecoxstories.com. Please feel free to contact her. She would love to hear from you.