Imitate the Bus Drivers!

In Brazil buses are everywhere. They are punctual, fairly cheap and always careful. If it weren't for buses most of Brazil would come to a standstill. Buses are like the country’s Internet. You can walk a few paces from your front door, catch a bus and literally traverse the country from North to South or East to West. It might take a few days to make such a monumental trip but it is possible. All because of buses.

Of course buses don't move by themselves. Each has its own driver. Sometimes there is a co-pilot when a prolonged trip is the goal. My worst experience on a bus was an overnighter where the driver kept slapping himself in the face to stay awake. It was a nightmare.

However, this article is not about nightmare bus rides. That will be for another time. This is a bus driver commendation. And a special tribute to the bus drives in our city, Sorocaba, São Paulo.

This 600,000 plus metropolis is a virtual knot of roads, avenues and highways. The city just celebrated its 358th birthday and with the name Sorocaba, which means, “torn earth” you can imagine that the streets here weren't created for large vehicles. Horses yes. Mules of course. People walking and bikes again yes and yes. Thirty-five foot buses? NEVER.

I am an impetuous driver. I always believe that the person in front of me is stealing my space. I think that everyone who passes me is trying to beat me to the next red light. If, heaven forbid, that person should blow through that light on the orange, they are indeed the worst of sinners. The person behind me always thinks me a bad guy. And so my imagination runs wild. I think of grenade launchers, heat seeking missiles and oil slick spitting tailpipes.

A recent bus ride changed my perspective. My wife didn't scream one time! Not once!! In fact after five hours on the bus she commented, “Our bus driver must be a very calm person. He drove slowly but steadily. It was such a nice ride.” I was astonished. Usually, with me at the wheel, I can't take a ten minute trip without at least one stifled scream.

Of course she wasn't comparing that unnamed bus driver with me. My wife doesn't do things like that. She was just making a comment. But it stuck.

It made me contemplate and wonder, “Are all of the bus drivers in Sorocaba believers? Are they all walking in Jesus’ footsteps? Or is it that they are all well instructed on the handling of their behemoth?”

There must be some believers for sure, however, I think that they are simply well instructed and obedient to that instruction. Maybe their job is at stake if they break the bus driver’s code. Or maybe it is the gravity of their responsibility and the number of souls in their charge each trip that keeps them from driving like “normal” people.

Whatever the case their example has touched me in a gentle but big way. I see their calm in the traffic tempest. I see them slowly approaching or advancing at a traffic light. I see them wave a friendly “thanks” when I let them get back into the flow ahead of me. I hear no screams or see no heart clutching as clients leave their big ride. Each observance brings this thought, “I don't know that guy but I like him!” That is a good thought.

So, my New Year’s resolution a few days early is to imitate the busdrivers. In doing so I will be a good testimony for my Savior. And I think that I will earn a few brownie points with my wife too!