It had been a long day. I was working on the next four services, thinking about our upcoming board meeting, and I had just finished attending the fantastic Pacific Masterworks Chorus concert at our church. I was tired and wondering why my list of things to do for Christmas was getting longer.
It was that time when you wonder, why am I doing all this stuff? When will it ever end? Why do I commit myself, or should I say over commit myself to so many things at the time of year when there is already so much to do? What is this life all about?
The drive home had unusually light traffic. The rain had stopped, but the streets were still wet, so I drove a little more cautiously. I noticed a police car in a local parking lot, just waiting, hopefully not for me. Then I saw him. He was just coming up to the intersection pushing his car. This man was all by himself pushing his car all alone. I made a quick turn into the Big 5 parking lot, entering at the exit sign, hopefully I won’t get a ticket for that, I thought. I jumped out of my truck and ran across the road to lend a hand. I shouted as I crossed the street, “Did you run out of gas?” “Yes,” he laughed, “can you believe it, my Prius ran out of gas.” He was a security guard on the way home or off to I am not sure which, but he was pushing his car toward the Safeway gas station.
We came to the intersection when the light turned from green to red, but with no cars in sight and the momentum on our side we barreled through at a quick three miles an hour. I actually tried to get the attention of the police car a half a block away thinking he or she might be willing to help. As we moved through the intersection I was praying that any cars coming would see the silver car moving at a slow clip against the light.
We came to the Safeway driveway, I told him to jump in to steer, I was hoping with our momentum to at least make it up the driveway off the street. Just as we got passed the incline a car pulled up along side and two more guys jumped out of their car to help us. I was sucking air, realizing I needed to get back to my morning workouts. We found a decline in the parking lot and used it to make it up the incline to the first pump.
Everyone was thanked for their help. I gave him a hand clasp and quick “manly” hug. He was so thankful for the help and I was thankful for the reminder that this time of year how important it is to help when you can. We all have enough stress to get things done, but it is those special times when we can let someone go in front of us in line, or we can offer them the parking space that is closest to the store, or we can offer to pick something off the shelf that they are desperately trying to reach. I also thought about how others jumped in once one pusher turned into two. Sometimes we just need to be the first one to jump in.
Relationships, that is what life is all about. Especially this season when we celebrate God sending his son to us, so we could regain our relationship with our creator and could establish closer relationships with those around us. I wasn’t so tired any more, the rest of the drive home was actually enjoyable. I looked forward to sharing with Joan about my good Samaritan act and knew we would both be encouraged by it. What a great opportunity for me that night. It was definitely a highlight from my day. Hopefully I will be ready when others come.
I hope this Christmas season you have some similar opportunities and can make those times more merry than they would have been if you just passed them by.
Blessings to all and blessings for a great Christmas,
Pastor Randy
