Sunday, July 4, 2010

My Sunday Blessings

Flag Wave Smiley Fireworks Flags

Happy 4th of July!

God Bless America!


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An oldie, but a goodie...


I was driving home from a meeting this evening about 5 p.m., stuck in traffic on Colorado Blvd., and the car started to choke and splutter and die - I barely managed to coast, cursing, into a gas station, glad only that I would not be blocking traffic and would have a somewhat warm spot to wait for the tow truck. It wouldn't even turn over. Before I could make the call, I saw a woman walking out of the 'quickie mart' building, and it looked like she slipped on some ice and fell into a gas pump, so I got out to see if she was okay.

When I got there, it looked more like she had been overcome by sobs than that she had fallen. She was a young woman who looked really haggard with dark circles under her eyes. She dropped something as I helped her up, and I picked it up to give it to her. It was a nickel.

At that moment, everything came into focus for me: the crying woman, the ancient Suburban crammed full of stuff with 3 kids in the back (1 in a car seat), and the gas pump reading $4.95.

I asked her if she was okay and if she needed help, and she just kept saying 'don't want my kids to see me crying,' so we stood on the other side of the pump from her car. She said she was driving to California and that things were very hard for her right now. So I asked, 'And you were praying?' That made her back away from me a little, but I assured her I was not a crazy person and said, 'He heard you, and He sent me.'

I took out my card and swiped it through the card reader on the pump so she could fill up her car completely, and while it was fuelling, walked to the next door McDonald's and bought 2 big bags of food, some gift certificates for more, and a big cup of coffee. She gave the food to the kids in the
car, who attacked it like wolves, and we stood by the pump eating fries and talking a little.

She told me her name, and that she lived in Kansas City. Her boyfriend left 2 months ago and she had not been able to make ends meet. She knew she wouldn't have money to pay rent Jan 1, and finally in desperation had finally called her parents, with whom she had not spoken to in about 5 years. They lived in California and said she could come live with them and try to get on her feet there.

She told the kids they were going to California for Christmas, but not that they were going to live there.

I gave her my gloves, a little hug and said a quick prayer with her for safety on the road. As I was walking over to my car, she said, 'So, are you like an angel or something?'

This definitely made me cry. I said, 'Sweetie, at this time of year angels are really busy, so sometimes God uses regular people.'

It was so incredible to be a part of someone else's miracle. And of course, you guessed it, when I got in my car it started right away and got me home with no problem. I'll put it in the shop tomorrow to check, but I suspect the mechanic won't find anything wrong.

Sometimes the angels fly close enough to you that you can hear the flutter of their wings...

Psalms 55:22 'Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee. He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.'

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God loves it when we become a part of someone else's blessing!

10 comments:

AliceKay said...

I've read this one several times before, but you know what? It still brings tears to my eyes. Wonderful story.

Happy 4th of July to you, too. I hope you're doing okay. *hugs*

God Bless America.

LindyLouMac said...

Happy July 4th, Good Samaritan and all the very best for your move.

I will be looking forward to hearing from you when you are back online.

Take Care.

STILLMAGNOLIA said...

What a wonderful story. Thank you for sharing it with us. I am missing you already and you have not even left the states. Have a safe 4th. P.S. I took that word scramble thing off....just for you.

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful story, it brought tears to my eyes as well, if only everyone could really be that good and caring, thanks! Hope you are having a good weekend, HUGS

Maxine said...

You blog is AMAZING!!! Did you design it yourself? It is really put together in a GREAT way. I'm now a follower.
www.maxinestamps.blogspot.com

Mimi said...

Great post!

I hope you and your handsome husband soldier have a great 4th. Thanks for both of your service to our country. I hope Italy is everything you dream it will be!

Love you!

CB said...

Thank goodness there are still good people in this world!

Happy 4th of July to you! I hope you are whooping it up since you won't have one of these again for quite a few years!!!!

Faye said...

Beautiful reminder to us about Who is really in charge.

Intense Guy said...

Psalms 55:22 'Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee. He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.'

Deanna said...

Hun, I am hoping you take a moment to read back to this post and realize your real value. You are a wonderful person!