The Lil' Red Truck

The Lil' Red Truck has a long history in our family - quite possibly more history than I do, though a little clarification from Dad might help me there.

While its not the doll it was when I was a toddler, (and I do remember it back then - have the "thumb" to prove it - sorry Mom) it ain't a rust bucket either.  I gave up on it years ago.  Family and work, and all the other things that keep us busy have kept me from doing much.  My father in law found out about it and pitched in a little jump start to see if we can get the Lil' Red Truck to the parade in a few weeks.

No promises yet, but lots of progress.  Years of sitting are hard on machines that are meant to operate regularly.  Rubber dries out - hoses, belts and seals fail.  Gas left in the fuel system turns into a nasty, putrid stuff that burns more like deisel - worse yet, condensation builds inside the tank and rust accumulates. 

The gas tank had to be drained - the fuel had turned into a green, nasty substance that didn't smell much like gas any more.  I set it aside for fire starting - with mixed results at actually burning at all.  The tank is being cleaned and treated now to neutralize the rust and then to coat the tank.

As I work on this, I am constantly grattified to find that the old ways were simple and reliable. Bolts, not plastic retainers and clips that break fasten nearly everything - and have lots of access to get a wrench in there - usually.


The radiator checked out great - which was a huge relief.  I cannot find the coolant leak yet though - somewhere there is likely some dried-out old seal that has decided to let go - I hope not, but cannot find much so far.

Electrical on these old trucks was all cloth insulated.  Years have apparenlty taken the flex out of the wires and I am a little nervous to work around them, for fear of breaking a wire.  Worse yet, anywhere that there is a splice, it consists of a couple of twists and a bit of tape.  I used to try that with my headphones when the wires shorted out - with pretty poor results.  Some wires are just going to get replaced regardless, I haven't decided whether I want to tackle the whole harness yet.

Here is the gas tank - attached to the running board still.  Dad and K helped me get the last part of this project out from under the truck - definitely nice to have extra hands!

Real Motivation

It is increasingly apparent to me that no amount of internal or external cajoling is effective in true, personal change.  I have always believed this to one extent or another, but in an ever-increasing reality to me, the only real change that a person can hope for is found in their own personal, life-long discovery of the depths of God.

I am prompted to write this after hearing John MacArthur use the same ides as the basis of worship - the deeper the understanding of God the more intense the desire to worship and praise Him.  Worship, not merely being the sum of our musical talent on Sunday morning, is really the living of our daily lives with Him.

"With Him" is a term that I fear may be unappreciated - I mean to say that each day is taken frequently, and constantly to Him as in a conversation - un-ceasing prayer.  Constant awareness and consideration of His presence.

This, and not the persuasion of well-meaning do-gooders, ought to be the foundation of our lives.  One works from the outside in, which is impossible and terrible to live up to.  The other works from the inside out - which is real change based on the relationship with our Father in heaven.

When I remember this, I know that I truly can do all things through Christ; yet all to often, I forget and I do suffer...

G.K. Chesterton

"God is like the sun. You cannot look at it, but without it, you can see nothing else."