20th September, 2011

PAUL CLARK

It might seem a strange thing for a tractor to drive to worship every Sunday morning. After all, tractors don’t go very fast and they don’t like to go very far from home. 

The truth is that Tony Tractor lives very close to his church in Westbrooke. A Sunday morning trip isn’t too bad. But one Sunday Tony Tractor and his friends had to go further than ever before.

Tony and the rest of the cars had just arrived at the church and were settling in, when Old Mr T started his engine. “What are you doing Mr T?” asked a curious Lin Su. Old Mr T had never started his engine during worship before.

Old Mr T smiled and said, “Come, follow me.” With that he jumped into gear and drove out of the car park.

Muscles the Motorcycle was struggling to get kick started, “But where are we going?” he asked.

Frieda the Family car was expecting visitors for lunch. “And, when will we be back?”

Old Mr T winked a headlight and said, “Follow me.”

As the church faded into the distance, Tony Tractor asked, “How far are we going Mr T? I’m not used to this!”

Hot-headed Harry didn’t want to run out of fuel in the middle of no-where “I haven’t got much petrol!” he said.

Old Mr T looked at them in his mirror and simply said, “Follow me!”

Impossible Issi was loving the trip, “Let’s go faster!” he said as he zoomed past Tony Tractor.

”Don’t go too fast, I can’t keep up!” Tony tooted

Issi even overtook Old Mr T! “Faster, faster!” he roared as he raced on ahead of them all.

But Old Mr T turned a corner, and Issi nearly got left behind.  “Follow me,” he shouted...

Next they came to an old, dark tunnel. Frieda almost stopped, “Do we really need to go that way? I can’t see anything?”

Trevor Truck agreed, “What if I hit my head on the roof?”

Old Mr T flashed his lights and simply said, “Follow me!”

After the tunnel the road turned to gravel, and got very dusty.  Luxurious Lucy slowed right down, “I’ve never driven off road before.”

Hot-headed Harry slowed down as well. “I’ve just had my bonnet polished!”

Old Mr T flicked up some dust and said, “Follow me.”

The road started up a very steep hill. Lin Su the electric car looked up. “I’m not sure I can make it up that hill.” Trevor Truck agreed, “I’m too wide for such a narrow way. What if I slip over the edge?”

Old Mr T drove on slowly and said, “Follow me.”

Finally the road opened up to a parking area overlooking a magnificent view. The cars forgot all about their troubles. “Wow, look at that!” said Frieda, “Can you believe all of those colours?”

 “You can see all the way to the sea!” exclaimed Lin Su.

Tony Tractor had a tear on his headlight. “I’ve never seen the ocean before.”

Luxurious Lucy was on top of the World, “Look at that eagle, soaring below us!”...

Old Mr T smiled.

Muscles the Motorcycle thought for a moment. “But what about worship Mr T? Aren’t we missing out?”

Old Mr T looked out at the scene. “Does this look like missing out?” As the psalmist says, ‘The heaven’s declare the glory of the Lord.’

They all relaxed.

“And besides, today’s journey has been a lesson in itself...

What was the lesson that old Mr T showed them? Find out by purchasing the book, ‘Follow Me’ and discover the whole world of Car Park Parables from www.carparkparables.com - or your local Christian bookstore.