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"Lots of Heavy Stuff"
It’s quite frustrating. A day doesn’t pass when we don’t encounter multiple pieces of construction equipment being unloaded or transported across the Chapel’s property, unrelated to Chapel business or projects. Why so much traffic? The Chapel is the only property large enough to handle large vehicles and equipment within several miles. The heavy trucks, trailers, and equipment constantly load, unload, and turn around in our driveways. Unfortunately, it destroys the Chapel’s driveways, creating a significant, costly, and frequent maintenance issue that the Chapel is forced to address periodically.
Don’t be alarmed or too upset. It's not the contractor’s fault, though they are the ones that we are constantly speaking with. Instead, the home or business owners who are engaging the contractors should be responsible. We think that our neighbors should at least make us aware when they are beginning projects so that we won't be alarmed when the equipment arrives. We also think it would be very easy for these folks to make a charitable contribution to the Chapel if they need us for their equipment needs.
Aren’t we correct in our assumption of responsibility? Is it our (The Chapel’s) responsibility to ask our neighbors to be courteous when they begin projects so that we can expect the equipment’s arrival? Should we put notices in everyone’s mailbox about the issue, or should we post signs all over the Chapel’s grounds, “Heavy trucks and construction equipment prohibited without Chapel office approval?”
Given the continuing cleanup of the storms, it would seem unkind to not allow ANYONE to access our driveways whenever they need it. The issue, instead, is really more about manners than anything else. I’m sure we would feel much differently if folks would only ask.
Our frustrations about this topic only grow with time. The town occasionally needs access to our property to help stage their equipment. The county sometimes needs us for the same reason, as do plenty of worthwhile organizations and groups. Car haulers and dealerships don’t need access (although they are guilty of bad manners, too).
Unless the Chapel Staff and I do something we are going to drive ourselves crazy on this topic. We spend a lot of time checking and double-checking, and doing it all for what reason? To discover that a neighbor has a need? To find out that one of our community partners is about to begin a big project?
Yes, it seems that once again, God is right and I’m wrong. Yes, people should have better manners and tell us when they are going to be using the Chapel’s grounds for their equipment and material loading and unloading. Yes, people should probably even help us to pay for our parking lot maintenance! But will they do either of these things? Probably not. So unless I take dramatic action making the Chapel off limits to all rule-breakers (which would guarantee that nobody would ever come to the Chapel), I suppose it’s time to swallow the hard pill and let this one go.
I hate being the “home team” when I see people taking advantage of God’s hospitality. But I also know that in many ways, being a child of God means that I should be ready to do something for the sake of good, and not for permission slips, toll fees, or public acknowledgment.
As usual, God is right.
God Bless, Brock.
"Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you." (Matthew 5:42, NRSV)
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