My view of west Texas from behind the wheel of an 18 wheeler

I spent the last half of the past three weeks delivering windows from Ft. Worth to Wichita Falls to Amarillo to Lubbock to Odessa to San Angelo to Abilene back to Ft. Worth. That’s a loop of over 1,000 miles without leaving our great state. I noticed a few details along the way I thought I’d share with y’all.

There’s a good reason some of the towns are named Plainview, Brownfield and Levelland. It’s because that’s pretty much what west Texas is made of.

The arena the Odessa Jackalopes play ice hockey in is referred to as the Colosseum by the locals. I wasn’t sure if I should be looking for a rodeo grounds, a high school football field or what. Ice hockey rink wasn’t even on my list. Now I know.

You’ll be happy to hear the water levels in the fields are decreasing. Some of the wheat is being harvested. Peanuts are being planted, finally.

Swatting flies away from your drinking glass and food is just a part of the ambiance in the restaurants out there. The extra calories you burn are replaced by the food you’re eating. You can listen to both types of music while you eat: Country, and Western.

God is fixin to have a locust plague soon and it’ll begin just northwest of San Angelo. There were quite a few of those buggers on the pavement one evening. They apparently liked the heat coming off it. That and the ability to see each other out of the grass that’s growing very well this year. Those critters are bigger than a man’s thumb. When ya stack one atop the other it makes for something you feel like swerving to keep from runnin’ it over. I was definitely glad I was in such a big rig. Anything smaller and I wouldn’t have felt safe.

Speaking of runnin’ things over–I ran over a tumble weed at one point. I can now cross that off my bucket list. It tried crossing the road in front of me. I couldn’t avoid it even if I wanted to. If there’s a tumbleweed heaven it’s there.

There was something along I-27 between Amarillo and Lubbock I was pretty sure was there the first two times I used that road, but I missed it for some strange reason. I must have been distracted by the solitude of the plain-ness of the scenery. A white cross about 20 feet tall stood there reminding drivers of who is really important to remember.

The way it jumped out at me that time through made me wonder how I ever missed it the first two times. Then I realized that’s how folks treat Jesus all the time. Distractions from everyday life keep our eyes from the important things all the time.

[Tweet “God is reaching out to you all the time. Seeing Him is everything”]

God uses nature to attract our attention, but our minds are on the argument we had earlier.

The deep red sunset in the mirror is too often missed when we stare at the road before us.

The lightning show in the evening clouds is blotted out by the desire to make it to the motel for that night.

So, what about you? Have you seen Jesus, today?

He’s there in your child’s cry for love and attention.

He’s in your pet’s unconditional love even after you take out your frustrations on it.

He’s even in that food you’re preparing to eat. His provision is incredible.

God is reaching out to you all the time. Seeing Him is everything.

Don’t miss Him for the world.

Keep smiling.   Wade

By wadewebster

I'm a truck driver turned writer. My writing drives people to Jesus. I love sunsets/sunrises, dark chocolate, coffee, cats and dogs (as long as their owners pick up after them) and solitude. My relationship with God through Jesus Christ is most important to me, not a religion. This writing gig is all God's idea. I only wish to bring more attention to Jesus with it.

4 comments

  1. Great blog Wade! May our Lord hold you during this season of your life. This gift He has given you…this “assignment” as you call it…is our blessing! I enjoy your reflections on life…they are interesting, personal, and challenge me to think and feel. Thanks brother…pray your day is blessed.

  2. Wade, I think this is one of the best blogs you’ve ever written! I love your voice in the descriptions. Being a little familiar with these highways, I was along for your ride.

    You went to gettin’ personal reminding me of some of the sunsets I’ve missed. Too preoccupied with the mundane to be refreshed by the painting God splashed across the sky that evening…just for you and me. And I love the way you brought all of trips home to Jesus.

    Keep letting us see Wade!

    Bundles of blessings…DiAne

    1. Thanks for letting me know my writing drew you into the cab with me, DiAne.
      God is reaching out to us all the time. Too bad we’re so prone to let gravity pull us down instead of looking up.
      I’ll catch you on the next ride.

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