This morning I decided to get out in the car with Nora, even if it was just to drop a package off at the post office mailbox. Sometimes just getting out of the house for a change of scenery can make all the difference in the world. With the leaves changing the scenery around here is breathtaking. On my way back home I noticed my gas tank was a little low, so I extended our away time by stopping to get gas. Who ever thought filling the car up with gas would be something fun to do?? I entered my rewards card, entered my credit card, entered zip code, and selected gas type. Do I want a car wash? No. Do I want a receipt? No. “SEE CASHIER,” blinks up on the screen. In exasperation I hung up the nozzle and proceeded to hastily re-enter all of the aforementioned information. I did NOT want to go inside to wait in line for 20 minutes while “everyone and their uncle” purchased hot dogs, cigarettes, singing Elvis clocks, and lotto tickets. “SEE CASHIER,” popped up again. I slammed the nozzle back onto the pump and quickly stormed inside. “Slow to anger. Slow to anger. Slow to anger. Slow to anger,” I repeated over and over again to myself. It wasn’t the cashier’s fault, no need to scream at her. The cashier reset the pump and suggested I try it again. I went back out and tried the whole thing again. It worked. “Amazing!” I muttered under my breath, “Had I known it was going to be so (dang) difficult I never would have stopped!!!” Just as the tank had filled up and I was about to set off on my merry way, a soft spoken girl came from around the back of my car. “Excuse me,” she said nervously,”I’m so sorry, I’m on my way to a doctor’s appointment and I don’t have enough money for gas…”
“Yes, I’ll help you,” I responded and reached into the car to get my purse. She was only asking for a couple of dollars, but a couple dollars might have gotten her to the other side of the parking lot. I had no cash on me anyway. I walked with her over to the next pump, swiped my credit card, and told her she could fill her tank up. As I stood there talking to her, she shared with me that she’s pregnant and that’s what the doctor’s visit was about. A beautiful blonde haired little girl smiled at me from the back seat. Her husband had lost his job a few months back and hasn’t been able to find work. On top of that her doctors are fearful that her baby might have something wrong. An extra chromosome, she explained. Tears welled up in my eyes as I realized EXACTLY why my credit card transaction hadn’t initiated a few moments ago. I told her about Nora and what a treasured gift she is. I told her how my faith in God is what has pulled me through all of this, no doubt He is there for her too. She said she knows that full well, but she’s very confused as to why God would add a complicated pregnancy to an already trying situation. “He didn’t cause this. These are the things that draw us closer to him,” I told her. The gas pump shut off indicating that her tank was full. “Thank you so much,” she said with tears in her eyes. I hugged her and promised I would be praying for her, her family and her precious unborn baby. I got back in the car and the tears just started streaming. God’s ways are really, really, really OBVIOUS sometimes!!!!!!!!!!!
As I started the car, “Fall Apart” by Josh Wilson started playing on the radio. The words to the song confirmed what I’d just told her:
Why in the world did I think I could
Only get to know you when my life was good
When everything just falls in place
The easiest thing is to give You praise
Now it all seems upside down
‘Cause my whole world is caving in
But I feel You now more than I did then How can I come to the end of me
And somehow still have all I need
God, I want to know You more
Maybe this is how it starts
I find You when I fall apart
Blessed are the ones who understand We’ve got nothing to bring but empty hands
Nothing to hide and nothing to prove Our heartbreak brings us back to You
And it all seems upside down
‘Cause my whole world is caving in
But I feel You now more than I did then How can I come to the end of me
And somehow still have all I need
God, I want to know You more
Maybe this is how it starts
I find You when I fall apart
I don’t know how long this will last
I’m praying for the pain to pass
But maybe this is the best thing that
Has ever happened to me
My whole world is caving in
But I feel You now more than I did then How can I come to the end of me
And somehow still have all I need
God, I want to know You more
Maybe this is how it starts
I find You when You will find me when
I fall apart
===========
She flashed her brights at me before turning onto the highway, each of us heading our separate ways. I’ll probably never see her again, but I love how God orchestrated our “chance” meeting. I was blessed by the opportunity to be God’s hands and feet.
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
(Luke 6:38 NIV)
Pictures of Nora today:



