Let Your Light Shine

I believe God intended for our paths to cross. There is no other explanation for the turn of events.

After finding a hotel just outside Oklahoma City that allowed dogs, we checked in. Just after getting into the room, however, we discovered that it was not clean at all. We checked out and decided to drive a little longer. The first gas station we found was closed, and our gas tank was nearing empty. So we found another.

God meant for us to pull into the second gas station at that very moment.

"Sir, please, can you help me?" The woman who approached Lars on the driver's side of our van appeared to be in her early 50's with short, red, windblown hair. "I'm broke down and I need to replace my water pump. I found a mechanic who will do it, but I need the money to buy the pump. Anything you could give me would be so appreciated."

It's sad that we live in a society where we have to question someone's motives when they ask for help. Our natural first instinct was to be suspicious. The truth is, so many people out there try to take advantage of kindness, you have to be cautious.

"Where are you traveling to?" Lars asked. I don't remember where she said she was headed, but she explained that she had just come from seeing her first grandchild being born prematurely. She had spent a week with her daughter, who was still in the hospital. She was on her way home when the vehicle had broken down.

"I've been here all day," she said, "and I only have $6.00."

Her husband was with her, also trying to come up with the money to replace the water pump. They had approached several other drivers throughout the day, offering to sell different items they had with them. One trucker had bought a DVD from them, and that was where the $6.00 had come from. The pump cost $52.00.

We sat in the van together for a moment, and Lars looked at me. "What should I do?" he asked. "I feel like I want to help them."

"I'd rather do good than not," was my feeling. Lars took $46.00 out of his wallet, got out of the van, and gave it to them. I watched the gratitude that lit the woman's face. It was money for our trip, money that would have been helpful to have, but money given to help someone in Jesus' name.

I thought back to a message one of our teaching pastors had preached several months ago, talking about our responsibility as believers to help those who are in need. He is the same pastor who led the missions trip Lars took to Siberia in the winter of 2007. I touched Lars' arm. "Wally would be proud of you," I said.

This morning when I woke up, that couple was on my mind. I prayed for their safe return home, for their daughter and new grandchild, and for them to see Jesus in what we did to help them.

If they were con artists, they got more than they bargained for - they got a woman praying for their salvation!

I don't know their names or anything about them, but I believe God put them in my life for a reason.

"Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your father in Heaven." -Matthew 5:16