Last night was the only night we had this week that we had nothing scheduled to do. We were certainly looking forward to some casual time alone as a family. Carter spent the afternoon with a friend and Andrew went home with my Mom. Aubrey and I decided to go with Rusty to pick up Carter. We needed to mail a huge stack of Christmas cards and we were going to let the kids go by Redbox to get a movie. We got Carter, dropped off the cards, got gas and then went to another station to get Kerosene. Rusty went in to pay and found a lady who needed help with her car. I pumped the Kerosene while he checked out her car (he is a pretty fantastic shade tree mechanic). Time was passing by.... 10 minutes turned into 20 and before long they rolled her car to a vacant area in the parking lot. Next we were on the way to the parts store. They bought a fuel filter replaced it and still no luck. I (watching from inside of the truck) knew she was going to spend the night with us. The Lord was clear that we were supposed to bring her home. I struggled a bit internally with that revelation but after being in the truck for 1 hour and 45 minutes Rusty opens the door and says, "hey, I can't fix it and I told her she can spend the night with us, is that ok". I was already prepared for that so I said of course. Here was a lady traveling from AR to FL (Atlanta, GA being her half way point) and she was stuck in Murfreesboro at 9:00 at night. She was hoping to make it to Chattanooga. I really have been working on viewing everyone I meet as if they were Jesus himself. I have always said that I would have had room in my home for baby Jesus and/or his expecting parents. Why did I even have to think twice (in my mind) about letting her come? I want to freely give to others. We are so quick to guard ourselves, to not open up or befriend a stranger. Yes, we have to be smart but we as Americans have taken that too far in my opinion.
Anyway, we get to our house, make a pot of coffee, turn on the fireplace (she and Rusty were both freezing since they had been standing outside in 20 degree weather), I changed Aubrey's sheets, got her a towel and we casually chatted. Rusty had to go to the shop to make some ornaments so our guest teaches the kids a new game. It was past their bedtime but how often do we bring a stranger into our home? I'll tell you... seldom and never to spend the night. It was one of those moments that I really wanted them to be a part of and not forget. The kids went to bed at 10:15 and Rusty came in a short time later. We stayed up until 12:15 getting to know our new friend. We were able to witness to her. She believes but is skeptical. So many things had to happen for us to be at a gas station that we never go to at the same time this lady was. We would not have been there if Rusty had not procrastinated in making these ornaments. He had to have Kerosene to fuel the heater in the shop. The Lord put us there for her and we were able to be obedient to Him in helping her out in a very small way. Rusty took her back to her car this morning and called a friend to come pick it up and take it to his shop. He is staying in touch to find out the outcome. We will be praying for her.
Side note... about a hour into the wait the kids guessed they would not get a movie (they have only done it twice before) and I said probably not. They were able to "get it". It is not about us... it is about others and acting as the Lord would in that situation. We had no grumbling or complaining and to them that movie was a VERY big deal!
I have prayed for God to soften my heart and challenge me in news ways... I think he did last night!
Anyway, we get to our house, make a pot of coffee, turn on the fireplace (she and Rusty were both freezing since they had been standing outside in 20 degree weather), I changed Aubrey's sheets, got her a towel and we casually chatted. Rusty had to go to the shop to make some ornaments so our guest teaches the kids a new game. It was past their bedtime but how often do we bring a stranger into our home? I'll tell you... seldom and never to spend the night. It was one of those moments that I really wanted them to be a part of and not forget. The kids went to bed at 10:15 and Rusty came in a short time later. We stayed up until 12:15 getting to know our new friend. We were able to witness to her. She believes but is skeptical. So many things had to happen for us to be at a gas station that we never go to at the same time this lady was. We would not have been there if Rusty had not procrastinated in making these ornaments. He had to have Kerosene to fuel the heater in the shop. The Lord put us there for her and we were able to be obedient to Him in helping her out in a very small way. Rusty took her back to her car this morning and called a friend to come pick it up and take it to his shop. He is staying in touch to find out the outcome. We will be praying for her.
Side note... about a hour into the wait the kids guessed they would not get a movie (they have only done it twice before) and I said probably not. They were able to "get it". It is not about us... it is about others and acting as the Lord would in that situation. We had no grumbling or complaining and to them that movie was a VERY big deal!
I have prayed for God to soften my heart and challenge me in news ways... I think he did last night!
1 comment:
Love this story Elizabeth! Thanks for the reminder. God is really TRYING to teach me to become more flexible. I am realizing how many opportunities I miss because I have things to do or it's not a good time. I am on our schedule rather than God's, it's so important to be aware of God at work.
You are blessed to have such a great Mr. Fix It willing to use his gifts to help others.
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