Be The Moon!

Linda Wilson-Allen smiles with a passenger on the San Francisco bus she drives.

 I want to share a story with you about a California woman known as Miss Linda. Miss Linda is not like most other people, she is not looking for attention and yet she has made a difference in the lives of hundreds, if not thousands of people over the years. You might say it is how she rolls.

Linda Wilson-Allen, or Miss Linda, is a bus driver with the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (Muni). She has been at it for more than 25 years. She originally began her career with Muni when a notice of a job opening came in the mail for her then-husband and since he wasn't at home she decided to apply for a job herself.

Drivers are rotated through Muni to different routes and even driving different vehicles. Miss Linda, however, has had an impact everywhere she has gone. She made such an impact recently that a reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle (Sam Whiting) who rides the bus Miss Linda was driving took the time to write a story about her which appeared on the paper's front page.

Miss Linda has a stellar record over the years for being on time and even being able to make up time when she has gotten behind schedule. Her accolades also include awards for being a safe driver. Miss Linda is good at what she does. However, that isn't what has brought her the attention.

Miss Linda takes the time to love on the people who ride her bus. She takes the time to know the names of her regular riders and she will even wait on them if they are running late making up the time later in her route which, as mentioned, she has gotten so good at doing.

At one point at a stop Miss Linda got out of her driver's seat walked out of her bus to help an 80 year-old woman carry her groceries onto the bus. That woman is now on a first name basis with Miss Linda and will sit at the bus stop letting other buses pass her by so that she can make sure to get on Miss Linda's bus. Miss Linda now takes the woman grocery shopping once a month after her shift.

At one point Miss Linda saw a girl, a City College student, sitting in a bus shelter who was trying to get home. It was obvious that she was new in town and was lost. It was close to Thanksgiving and Miss Linda told the girl that she should come to her home and have Thanksgiving with her and her children, which is exactly what she did. The girl eventually finished school and went back home to Georgia. That, however, did not end the friendship. Miss Linda explains that she goes to Atlanta to visit and the girl still comes to visit Miss Linda in San Francisco.

Miss Linda explains that there are two incidents that have motivated her to help others. One was when her mother was on a bus, lost her sense of direction and the bus driver would not help her. The second incident was when one of her twin sons lost his bus pass and the other son tried to share his pass so the two could get home. The driver in that instance put them off the bus and they had to walk several miles to get home. Those two events led Miss Linda to always help the elderly and the young. Her helping everyone else inbetween springs from the person she is.

Regular riders on her route discovered that Miss Linda liked to accessorize her uniforms by wearing scarves so they started to bring them to her as gifts and some have even gone as far as offering Miss Linda the use of their vacation homes. Miss Linda truly has connected with those she serves.

When her shift comes to an end and she leaves the bus to be replaced by another driver, passengers have often applauded her as she rose from her seat to exit. When Miss Linda finished her last shift before transferring to another line she stood in front of the bus and said "That's all. I love you. Take care."

Miss Linda explained that she gets her attitude set at 2:30 each morning when she spends thirty minutes on her knees in prayer. "There is a lot to talk about with the Lord." she says. It is this connection that sets the tone for her day.

Linda Wilson-Allen is an example of how a strong connection to God can impact our lives.  Colossians 4:2 says "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." And Paul writes in Philippians, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." (Phil. 4:6). It is through a constant dialogue with God that we get a better picture of Him and how we might fit into His plan.

For the longest time I thought prayer was just something you did in church. Then after I found a real desire to know God, I realized that prayer is something that is more like an ongoing conversation. And if that's the case, then how would I ever get to know someone by just talking to them for a few minutes a week? I wouldn't.

It is through a connection with God that we can connect with His power and love. When we can make that connection it becomes second nature to let it flow through us onto those around us. Miss Linda has been able to show so much love to those who cross her path because she understands how much she is loved. You have heard that "hurting people, hurt people?" Well the opposite is also true. "Loved people, love people." The key is to understand that love. Because we are all loved, but not everyone understands that. Those that do are like a fountain of love for those around them, like Miss Linda.

I one heard a message where the preacher said that we as followers of Christ should, "Be the moon, reflect the Son." I realize that this is very simplistic, but I don't think that Jesus ever intended following Him to be hard to grasp. As Jesus showed love to all around Him we should also do the same. So I think today and every day, my goal will be to, like Miss Linda, be the moon!

Blessings!
-Bry