For the past year, I’ve had the blessing of being a Bus Aide for our local public school district.  What that means, is that I’m the air traffic controller, bouncer, and overall chief wrangler of bus load of students, allowing the Bus Driver to focus specifically on the route.  Ours happens to be one of the largest, and one of the farthest routes in the school system. 

I initially began riding in the afternoons, as we were taking the students home.  But recently, that has transitioned to the mornings.  Honestly, I’m enjoying the mornings way better.

Our extra-large yellow monstrosity of a bus fires up at 6:00AM Monday through Friday mornings, then we pull out of the bus yard headed east, across the ridge and out into the rural flatlands as our morning adventure begins.  Each morning as we dodge pot holes, navigate through the fog, and avoid numerous critters we make our 25 mile trip to pick up our first group of students, I get to see the rising of the morning sun, stretching its rays across the fertile farmlands of the Arkansas Delta.  There is not a day goes by that it doesn’t take my breath away.   

One by one, our bus soon fills to capacity and quickly evolves into a melting pot of students of every shape, size, color and personality one could imagine.  By the time we make our last stop, we managed to be the primary mode of transportation for well over 60 students age 5 through 16, and are making our morning trek back for a full day of learning.

Once on board, our older students have landed face first into their phones and devices…each with headphones on, signaling ‘do not disturb.’  Our junior high students are sometimes on their phones as well, but, are more interested in the latest hall gossip involving proms, dances, class projects, and who needs to be the next target is for a boyfriend/girlfriend.  It’s easy to notice that hormones are in full bloom.  Intermediate students are quirky.  Some are still in their ‘shy stage’, never engaging in conversation whatsoever…some are playing video games…but most are trying to come into their own, still struggling with childish emotions all the way to who are we going to hang out with on the playground at recess.  Our primary kiddos are the life of the party.  Never a dull moment around these guys!  I try to keep all of this group sitting in the front of the bus in order to keep a closer eye on them, and, to keep them out of meanness.  These little guys and gals are fearless.  They know no stranger, and they don’t have a clue about boundaries!  Sometimes, a couple of them will go back to sleep once they climb into their seats.  But the overwhelming majority of the time, these guys are busier that a bee hive jumping around in their seats like jack-in-the-boxes…trying to take something away from the person sitting beside them…and always wanting someone else’s food…and asking THOUSANDS OF QUESTIONS!  (Yes, there is ALWAYS food on the bus!  It’s the first thing out of everybody’s backpacks once they land in their seats.  Interesting to note…chips and candy is the morning snack of choice for our crew.  Yes, chips and candy at 6:30AM in the mornings!)  By the time we finish unloading, I’m totally drained from herding these little peeps.  But I have to say this, these little guys are hilarious.  Trust me, there are NO SECRETS WHATSOEVER with these kiddos!  I know so much stuff about these kids and their families, it’s terrifying…and hilarious!  LOL!!  Oh, the sermon illustrations…

As we make our journey back to our campuses, our bus has morphed into a metal menagerie hauling an island of misfit toys…and many times, unwanted toys…back across the ridge and past houses, trailer parks, farms and fields.  Our bus is a safe zone for these students.  In reality, our bus is its own community.  Everybody knows everybody…no matter their age.  It’s also a small window of time during the day when these students get to escape the many times skullduggery disfunctionalness of home and not having to worry just yet about the stress and struggles of the classroom.  You can almost see the weight of life’s burdens leave, once they get in their seats.   

I’ve learned a lot about students over this past year by riding this bus.  I will tell you this, students today are nowhere near the same as students were when I was their age.  These kids know and have experienced more in their brief life time than I ever did by the age of 30.  Not.  Even.  Kidding.  But even in the toughest of situations, these kids are resilient…life has galvanized them.  And even though I’ve often seen the look of ‘just-trying-to-survive’ scrolling across their faces, the core of these students is comprised of will power, determination, and  desire.  I’m proud of these guys…but their struggle is real. 

Every day, I pray for these kids.  My heart breaks for some of them.  My prayer is that I’ll be a glimpse of Jesus as they start their day.  Some days I succeed.  Some days I don’t…

But no matter the age, gender or color of these students, one commonality screams through.  Through the stress, struggles and the street smarts, it’s their innocence that rises above it all.  From the youngest to the oldest, their innocence is prevalent. Once they hit the bus in the mornings…this goes for every single student on our bus…one question is more important than anything else going on in their world.  That question is simple this, “Where am I going to sit?”  Seriously.  The greatest issue each of these guys and gals have, is trying to figure out where on the bus they are going to land.  It has to be one of the most innocent things I’ve ever witnessed. 

Think about it…to wonder ‘where I’m going to sit on the school bus’ being the greatest and most important worry on a students mind.  Oh, the innocence of a child…no matter the age. 

The Bible talks about child-like faith.  Child-like faith is sometimes described as, ‘faith that does not doubt, question, or seek explanations;  it just believes.’  It’s also described as, ‘having the confidence in the promises of Christ and faith even in situations where we cannot see or control.’  Jesus said this in Matthew 18:2-4, “Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.  Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”                  

 The Bible also talks about where we as Christians need to make sure we’re sitting.  In Luke 10, Jesus was in the home of Martha and her younger sister Mary.  After the meal was served, Mary “sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word.”  Meanwhile, Martha was too busy cleaning the kitchen and washing dishes.  To the point, where Martha was somewhat ticked off at her sister.  She was so angry, that she fussed at Jesus to get on to her sister to get up and help her.  Look at Luke 10:40, “But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone?  Therefore tell her to help me.””   

I can’t even with Martha…

But yet, don’t we all suffer and struggle with being a ‘Martha’?  I mean it’s so easy to point fingers, yet all the while here we are being a ‘Martha’ ourselves. 

Jesus’ response to Martha and her disgust was perfect…and a gut-check moment all at the same time…”Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.  But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”

I’ll be honest, I have to read and apply that Scripture by putting MY name in it…”Jim, Jim, you are worried and troubled about many things…”

Mary gives us the innocence of a child by simply sitting on the floor beside Jesus and focusing on Him…making Him the priority above all other daily distractions…

Martha, is worried about dirty dishes and why no one will help her…

Tomorrow morning, our bus is going to make its way off the bus yard and back out through the delta.  And tomorrow morning, dozens of students are going to hop on, and make decisions about where they’re going to land with their backpacks, hoping the ride will last just a bit longer keeping reality at bay, somewhere in the distance.

And tomorrow morning, you and I are also going to be boarding a bus…where we are going to be spending the day making life decisions.  And when you do, just remember the greatest decision you’re going to make is also deciding where you’re going to sit. 

No matter the bus…there’s a perfect seat available, waiting just for you…