It’s funny how quickly a day can change around here:
A late start after a few big days, and I *really* wanted to have a lazy day. That sounded a lot better than doing my BAS / tax, but I had every intention of being diligent – until the phone rang…
A stranger on the other end was asking if we did towing as they were bogged. An error with a particular search engine means we get calls for a range of things from the listing they refuse to change or cancel. This same search company map had led these UK tourists along a ‘road’ that was deep sand.
[Sidetrack: It’s so important to follow trustworthy sources…especially for your soul! If you are not following Jesus / what the Bible says – you are lost & will get stuck!]
We normally direct people who ring to other shops but I felt this one was different. I asked a few more questions and felt God prompt me to ask about water. It was gearing up to be a hot & windy day…
“We are nearly out of water – we got stuck yesterday & had to spend the night in the car” !!
I told them to hang tight and we sprang into action – there is no way this was coincidence!
We readied two cars with tools for digging & towing & tyre pumping etc. And of course an esky with some ice & drinks & apples.
To say they were happy to see us is an understatement. Their car buried to it’s belly in powder soft sand. Two of their tyres let down so much they were completely empty and ready to come off the rim.
They could not believe they had cold drinks & apples – it was like we had given them a 5 star meal! It reminded me of a scripture I had listened to just a few hours before:
A person who is full refuses honey,
but even bitter food tastes sweet to the hungry.
Proverbs 27:7 (NLT)
It is amazing and heartwarming to provide something for someone in genuine need: they are really grateful.
Anyway, we got to work pumping up tyres, digging & pushing. The tourists were gobsmacked as they saw 6 children working as a team to rescue them.
We got the vehicle out quite quickly, however there was a *long* way to go before tarmac. We decided not to leave them.
We found a farmers fence broken down, so removed some trees & drove their car into the next field, then fixed the fence. We escorted them back to bitumen and pumped up their tyres. As we did we shared why we helped: not because we are good or kind or helpful, but because Jesus has rescued us.
As people He has rescued, He commands us to be kind & rescue others. (Thankfully He also creates that desire within us). They listened & asked questions as we shared the Good News about Jesus offering eternal life to even the worst sinners. We gave them a Bible & a couple of other things which they gratefully received.
They were *so* happy & thankful – in complete disbelief. In fact, they shared that this had been their highlight of their whole holiday(!). They themselves said:
“It’s like this was meant to be”
I fully agree. It was another divine appointment – with far more than a bogged car or dehydration at stake. But it would have been soooo easy to miss or avoid. Even once we were there it would be easy to shy away from sharing about Jesus – it always feels weird / scary / pointless – but really, without Him we wouldn’t be here and certainly wouldn’t be helping people!
This was an enjoyable adventure for the kids – they loved it. All it cost was less than 2 hours, some fuel & effort but the result could last forever. And, as it turns out – they would not take no for an answer – they insisted on giving the kids some money. Again, God’s economy at work: never a one way transaction, but a situation where both parties come away amazed and happy at the outcome. I love how God works.
And WAAAAAAAAAAAAY better than doing taxes! 😂
#JesusRescues #thankYouJesus #kindness #shareJesus
The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field. You are God’s building. 1 Corinthians 3:8-9 (NLT)
Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (NLT)
Lord, give us the desire to follow You and Your (the only reliable) handbook for Life. Help us to take the opportunities you put before us to share Your love & Truth with others. And help us to be bold about You – the Saviour who saves – the One willing to go through torture & death for us. Thank You.