This story took place one year ago, during Christmas 2011. That year, we buried my sister the week of Christmas. I was very sick, and getting progressively sicker. My children had visited with their dad on Christmas Day, and so my mother and I went to see a movie.
Just days later, during the week between Christmas and New Years Day, my children and I went to Holy Mass in the morning. We had considered staying at the church to watch the movie showing in the parish hall after Holy Mass, but then at the last minute decided after so many hectic days spending as much time with my sister as possible before God called her into eternity, it would be nice to just go home and relax.
We made a quick stop at a convenience store close by the church, and were still far from our home. Then, we returned to our vehicle. I remember very well the doughnut in my hand, and the fact that the minivan wouldn't start.
Then, we realized that I forgot my cell phone at home.
N o w w h a t , I thought. Nothing at all came to mind.Goodness gracious, the van won't start, and we are so eager to go home and rest. Now what??
Guess what I did.
What would you have done?
I handed the entire situation over to God. Completely. There was no other choice (laugh).
And guess what happened.
The woman parked next to us was about to leave, and noticed that our vehicle was not starting. She was late for work, but had decided to stop at the convenience store anyway. Then, she decided to stay and help us.
She handed me her cell phone, which had the number of a nearby service station on speed dial (if that's what it is still called), and had called it for us. She had been there before, and was very pleased with the service. I spoke to the owner on the phone; he came out and jumped the dead battery, and then I drove to the service station where he replaced it with a new one. How blessed we were that the battery did not die while my sister was in the hospital, during her final days at home, or on the day of her funeral. It didn't die on Christmas Day when I traveled quite a distance from home on a cold winter day to go with my mother to the movies, when most places were closed.
I was not alone when the battery gave out, nor were we stranded. We were at a convenience store with facilities and coffee and doughnuts, and the Lord had that kind woman stop and help us, even though she was late for work.
God bless that woman for being open to His inspirations, and for helping us in imitation of Christ!
While we waited at the service station, which also had a convenience store so my children were able to have snacks and drinks, I had a lovely conversation with a woman whose car was also being serviced that morning. We shared a love for the Lord, exchanged many very profoundly Catholic God moments stories, and she left with a copy of one of the God Moments books the Lord had assigned to Joseph Karl Publishing.Don't ever doubt God's love for you. He is our Father and He cares for us.
See Him in every situation, trust in Him, ask for His help, and don't forget to thank Him, often, for His unfathomable goodness.
Thank You, Lord, for timing that so well, coming to our rescue that cold winter day, the delicious doughnut, the company of my children, nice people who care, a warm place to wait, and the new battery.
Now what is it we can do for You? (smile)
