Throughout my recent trip I was met with glaring examples of the type of “Christian” that I pray my children do not grow up to be. I was surrounded by people who claim Christianity, and yet are rude, mean, and uncaring. One of the thoughts that kept swirling through my mind was that I would be writing about this problem that we have. I was ready to write paragraph after paragraph about the many bad people who had irritated me.
However, then I got a flat tire.
Okay, so it was not flat YET. Are you happy Scott?
I was happily driving down 65 south to Ozark on my way to another basketball game when a car pulled up next to me and a man started waving frantically waving and pointing. I had been thinking the car was handling funny, but it was quite windy and the road was pretty rough so I had continued driving. When I pulled over and found the damage, I immediately realized that I had no jack. Under any normal circumstances, I would just change the tired and get moving again, but unless the three little kids were going to lift the car for me, I really needed some help. So I started working the phone.
My first call was to Scott Gill because I knew he was a few minutes behind me going to the game. My second call was to Amy Mixon, because I knew that they were a few minutes ahead of me on the way to the game.
Scott’s first reaction, “We’ll be right there.”
Amy’s first reaction, “I can send John.”
Not a moment’s hesitation. Just an immediate offer of help.
It turned out I had Scott, Coach Anderson, and the boys rescue me because they were soon to be passing me on the highway. I figured John did not need to backtrack to come get me. They found me on the side of the road fishing my spare out from the underside of my car.
They immediately took over and in no time we were all on the road again. We made it to the game, and all was right in the world again. I tried to tell Scott that I could have done it, if I just had had a stinking jack. They could have just let me finish it. I could have… la la la… He said, “I know, but sometimes you just gotta let people help you.”
As I drove down the rode, I got to thinking about the scathing post I was planning on writing. I was going to complain and whine about the stupid people. But, God reminded me of the nice people. There still are nice people in this world.
The nice guy waved frantically at me. If I had not pulled over when I did, that near flat could have become a blowout while I was going 70 mph down the highway.
Friends were willing to come get me, even if it was out of their way.
Friends did come get me.
Nice People!
Then I noticed MY focus changed. Instead of looking at all the irritating people, I started noticing the nice ones. The ones who make sure the door does not slam in your face.
The ones who smile just because.
The friendly people.
The people who make you want to be around them again.
The nice people.
There are still nice people around… You just gotta look for them.
