I read the following story about a hospice physician living in Denver, Colorado and his experience in showing God’s kindness to a desperate mother.

I was driving home from a meeting this evening, got stuck in traffic, and the car died - I barely managed to coast into a gas station. At least I wouldn’t be blocking traffic and would have a spot to wait for the tow truck. Before I could make the call, I saw a woman walking out of the gas station mart, she slipped on some ice and fell into a gas pump, so I went to see if she was okay.

When I got there, she was sobbing, but not from the fall. She was a young woman who looked overwhelmed with dark circles under her eyes. She dropped something as I helped her up, and I picked it up to give it to her. It was a nickel.

At that moment, everything came into focus for me: the crying woman, the old suburban crammed full of stuff with 3 kids in the back (1 in a car seat), and the gas pump reading $4.95. I asked if she was okay, and she kept saying "I don’t want my kids to see me crying," so we stood on the other side of the pump from her car. She said she was driving to California and that things were very hard for her right now. I asked, "You were praying right?" That made her back away from me a little, but I assured her I was not a crazy person and said, "He heard you, and He sent me."

I took out my card and swiped it through the card reader on the pump so she could fill up her car, and while it was fueling, walked to McDonald’s and bought 2 bags of food, gift certificates for more, and a cup of coffee. She gave the food to the kids in the car, who devoured it, and we stood by the pump eating fries and talking a little.

She lived in Kansas City. Her spouse had left 2 months ago, and she had not been able to make ends meet. She knew she wouldn’t have money to pay rent on the first, and in desperation, called her parents, with whom she had not spoken in about 5 years. They lived in California and said she could come live with them until she got on her feet.

I gave her my gloves and said a quick prayer with her for safety on the road. As I was walking over to my car, she said, "So, are you like an angel or something?"

This made me cry. I said, "Angels are really busy, so sometimes God uses regular people." When I got in my car it started right away and got me home with no problem.²

Suggested prayer: Lord, use me to be part of your greater plan. Help me be aware of how you want to use me, even when it causes an interruption in my plans. Your ways are always great than mine. Use me to bless someone today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

1.    Psalm 55:22 (NLT).

2.    www.sermoncentral.com

Today’s Encounter was written by: Crystal B.