Parable Road #10 (Redemption)

The sun is shining.

It’s hard to believe that it wasn’t that long ago we were sliding our way through a snowstorm in the mountain range towering over us.

That’s how things work in the mountains.

You never know what’ll happen next up there.

I’m tired of it.

It’s been a long hard road.

By the look of it, Harvey has had a good sleep. But, after that episode on the mountainside, I don’t trust him enough to turn the steering wheel over to him.

I shift down and guide the truck onto the road leading to the terminal.

A row of trailers line the side of the building. If all goes well, the one we’re pulling will soon join the lineup.

I can’t wait to be done with this load. Only a few more days of this and I’ll be back home with my wife. The peace of life on the farm is something I could use right now.

“Ben, at least let me back the trailer in,” Harvey mutters.

“Why should I do that?”

“I can do it.”

“Just like you got us through the mountains?”

“I said I was sorry about that.”

“And I accepted your apology.”

“Why won’t you let me drive then?”

“I…I…” What do I say? I can see his apology is sincere. Still, it is hard for me to trust him. He almost got us killed driving through the mountains.

However, God offers everyone a second chance. Why shouldn’t I give Harvey one?

“Alright, “ I say as I guide the truck to a gentle stop. “Give it a shot.”

“Thank you. I won’t let you down.”

“I’ll guide you back,” I push open the door of the truck and jump to the pavement of the lot we find ourselves in. “Don’t hit anything!”

“I’ll be okay. Trust me.”

Harvey moves into the driver’s seat. After a moment, the truck lurches and sways and then starts backing up.

I cringe and grit my teeth as I wave the truck backward toward the line of trailers.

At least Harvey is going slow. He must’ve learned something up in the mountains. Slow and steady wins the race.

The trailer approaches the others. For a moment, it seems about to hit them. “Hey!” I yell as I point at the danger. Then, slowly, the trailer turns away from a possible accident.

The trailer starts moving backward again. Heading toward the loading dock. Sweat forms on my forehead as I envision a disaster. Then, before I know it, the trailer is moving into the dock and I wave at Harvey to stop.

He does. As he does so, I move to turn down the jacks that will hold the trailer up after our truck pulls away.

“See Ben, I did it!”

“I saw you. Good job!” I say. And you know, he did do a good job. Maybe he has some potential after all.

Yes, no matter what we’ve done, everyone can have redemption if they really want it. That’s good news. How will this work out in Harvey’s case? I don’t know.

“Alright, we’re good.”

As I shout this out, the truck pulls away, leaving the trailer behind.

Our load has been delivered. Now, it’s time to talk with Harvey and our boss about what happened in the mountains.

Is Harvey really ready to change?

I guess I’ll soon find out.