no gas = time to think

so, on my way to work, i ran out of gas... i was so frustrated! i kept thinking about how if i hadn't waited and had gotten it when i first thought about it, it wouldn't have happened! so, since i had thirty minutes until my sister got there with gas, i updated my facebook status. the first time it was something along the lines of, "why do i procrastinate? maybe one of these days i will learn..."

i text my mom and told her that i couldn't believe that no one had stopped to see if they could help. i text a friend and told her i was stuck and how bad it sucked. and after about twenty-five minutes and thirty cars later, a nice older man stopped to see if he could help. i told him that i had someone coming to help me and that i appreciated the offer. he said to me, "hey, i've been there. i know what it's like and i try to stop when i can because that's what i would want of someone else."

my heart sank a little. i felt eternally grateful! i thanked him at least ten times and waved as he pulled away. my hope in people was redeemed. my whole attitude changed. it reminded me that i am just like all of those other people who just drive pass those who are broken down. how many people could i have helped? how many people had to just sit there because they weren't as lucky as i was to have a cell phone?

from now on, i want to try to have the courage to stop and help those who are stranded. i want to be more aware of what is going on around me. i know that if jesus was walking the earth right now, he would stop. he would give money or food to the homeless and the hitchhikers. he wouldn't think about how late he was going to be to places or how hungry he himself was. he would sacrifice for the good of those around him.

i know i can't save the world or touch everyone with the love of christ. however, i do know that i can make a difference and if that means letting someone borrow a cell phone or handing out cookies to the homeless or those hitchhiking, then i'll do it! sign me up now! i want to do as much as i can while i still have time to do it.

god has given me but a short time on earth. so, i want to use my time wisely. i challenge you, are you using your time and resources wisely? here's one final thought before i let you go:
"2 Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it." Hebrews 13:2