Wayne Price was working full-time in ministry when a friend, who used to be a principal, encouraged him to become a bus driver.

“I was just amazed at how quick I fell in love with the kids,” Wayne shares. “I work with teenagers and college-aged students for most of time dealing with youth ministry, but God developed a love in me for all the ages.”

Now a driver in Montevallo, Wayne makes sure the elementary, middle and high schoolers he drives have a pleasant and safe ride in each morning.

Wayne says, “You do not have long to talk to them on the bus, but you have a lot of time to influence them.” He continues, “It is amazing what a kind word, just a smile can do. You get to set the example when they have struggles and frustrations of responding differently than what the world tends to train people to respond.”

One morning last week, Wayne received a text message that Shelby County Schools would be on a two hour delay, which meant breakfast wouldn’t be served at the Montevallo Elementary School.

When Wayne stopped to pick up some morning nourishment, he thought about the kinds that wouldn’t me getting their hot breakfast either, and decided to add 50 more breakfast sandwiches to his order.

Fifth grader Elizabeth Lopez said, “I was just so surprised that he did that. I did not think he was going to do it. I am really thankful for having him as a bus driver, and he feels like a dad to me.”

Wayne continues to share, “I truly believe that I love them, and I know love because Christ loved me. We get caught up in materialistic things, even buying biscuits to a certain element is a little materialistic, but Christmas is giving. Christmas is showing love. Christmas is esteem in others greater than yourself, but Christmas is the purpose that God sent his son. My love for my kids is purely a reflection of the love that originated in God and Christ.”

(ABC-3340)