Good Samaritans

A couple of weeks ago, my girls and I were on our way to church. While stopped at a red light, the car died and wouldn't start up again. It was dark and cold out. I was sick. We were stuck. I didn't have anyone to call because I don't know many people in this city. I don't have roadside service anymore and couldn't really afford a tow truck to come out. We were stuck, but I didn't panic. I sang. I prayed. And prayed some more. I assured my nervous six year old that we would be fine and that God wouldn't leave us stuck. Even though I really believed that, thoughts of 'oh, crap, what am I gonna do, how am I gonna get my babies home, I don't have the stroller in the car, what if we have to walk somewhere...' I quickly quieted my thoughts by singing and praying more fervently. All the while, turning the key in the ignition hoping the car would start...it didn't.

After few minutes, an older gentleman came to my window and asked if I was okay and offered assistance. I explained what happened. He tried to start the car...nothing. He checked for obvious signs of mechanical failure such as low gas, etc...nothing. He looked under the hood of the car...nothing obviously wrong. Again, he tried to start the car...no such luck.

He looked at me and told me what my options were: they could push the car to the nearby gas station and take me to church, or they could take me home. By this time church had already started and by the time we got there it would soon be over. I was willing to let them push the car to the gas station, but was hesitant to allow them to take me home because in this day and age, it's hard to trust people.

They pushed my car to the gas station. He talked to the station employees and explained that my car had broken down and I needed to park the car there a while. Him, his wife, daughter, son-in-law, and nephew and I all stood around trying to come up with a plan. They weren't going to leave me out there with my kids. Eventually, it was decided that his daughter and son-in-law would give me and the girls a ride home. I felt  completely at ease. I trusted the God sent these people to help me. We exchanged phone numbers. They took us home. My car stayed at the gas station.

A couple of hours later around 10:00 pm, I got a phone call. It was the man whose family interrupted their dinner plans to help me. He said they got a tow truck and would tow my car home for me. Can you believe it? Complete strangers. They could have easily left me at the gas station with my car. Not only did they take me home, but they managed to get a tow truck for me. The son-in-law came all the way back to my house and picked up my car keys.

Thirty minutes later, there was a knock at my door. They brought my car back. And turned out they didn't even have to tow the car because it started.

Had it not been for a kindhearted, God-fearing stranger and his lovely family, who knows how that night might have ended. The fact is, they saw someone in distress and provided assistance. For that, I'm beyond grateful. It's nice to know that in a world saturated with evil, there are still people who are good. It's these kinds of incidents that remind me that you never know what a difference a nice gesture can make in someone's day. Even something as simple as a smile or compliment can go a long long way for someone who can be having a rough day.

I challenge you to do at least four random acts of kindness this week and every week. I promise you, it'll make you feel good, and it will make a difference to someone.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore as we have opportunity let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. ~Galatians 6:9-10