The other day, I was driving Whitney to her art class and took a different route because I needed to drop something off at the post office. While driving, I noticed a woman running across the street and up the sidewalk. She wasn't dressed like she was out for a jog, she looked like she was in a hurry to catch a bus or something, and I thought "I wonder if she needs a ride". But I thought this as I was passing her and continued up the street to the post office. As I dropped my parcel in the mailbox I thought "she needs a ride, I'm going back to get her."
So I turned around (Whitney didn't notice any of this as she was concentrating on the school book she was reading out loud to me) to pick up the woman. I pulled up along side the woman and asked her if she needed a ride. She said, "No, I'm just going to the post office." The post office was about 3/4 a mile from where she was and she had been running, so I said, "I'm passing by the post office". Then she happily got into my car and exhaled as she said, "You're an answer to my prayer!" (Kind of funny that she didn't immediately jump at the chance for a ride, she must have been checking us out.)
It turns out she had been frantically driving to the post office to get there by 5:00 (I picked her up at 4:55) and she'd run out of gas and was trying to run the rest of the way. I dropped her off at the post office (she needed to go inside) and told her I'd just take Whitney to art class and then I'd come back and get her.
So I went back to the post office and picked her up. She hadn't brought any money with her when she left home so she wanted me to take her home. I wanted to help her get gas in her car so she wouldn't have the hassle of calling her husband and having him meet her somewhere. So as I was driving her home we were chatting. I said, "Running out of gas, how did that happen?" and then went on talking. Somehow the organizing class came up and it turns out she had taken it last year.
When we got to her house, I said, "So do you want me help you get the gas?" because I didn't understand why she seemed to be wanting to just go home instead of taking me up on my offer to help. I had a gas can at home and everything (she lives near me). Then she said, "I don't have any money for gas, it's the end of the month, we'll figure something out, thanks, bye!" then she got out of the car and ran to her front door.
I felt so stupid! I hadn't even considered the possibility that she had run out of gas because she didn't have any money. I had assumed that because she was a 50ish, normal looking woman that she had somehow just spaced getting gas. I felt like such a chump for asking her how she'd run out of gas (no wonder she hadn't answered my question) and chuckling about it. My heart hurt for her to be in this situation, and for me not considering all the possibilities.
Overall it was a good experience and gave me a chance to talk to Whitney about listening to promptings and being the answer to another person's prayer. But it also taught me to think before I speak and not to assume that I know what's going on in someone else's life just because they look a certain way.
**Thoughts??**
Comment Window Tidbit: I have had a really great Sunday, 2:00 church really agrees with me!
26 comments:
You are a beautiful person Jill.
xoxo-
patsy
This is such a good reminder and a good story. I have done the same thing before and then just wanted to kick myself for talking. That is good you were able to help her out. I don't think you should feel stupid because most of us probably would have said the same thing to her. It is good you listened to the promptings and helped out.
Didn't want to add a heart to your cute garland for Valentine's day?
I think that would be cute!
I love that you listened to that prompting and that YOU were her answer to prayer. It is a great learning experience for both.
Thoughts? Wow. Thank you.
What a beautiful act of service and humbling learning experience. Thank you for sharing this, truly!
WOW.
I would never pick anyone up for fear of what would happen to me so all I can say is WOW. Not only did you do it but you lived to tell a lesson!
Many of my clients live like that woman, it's just a way of life for them. Literally, they will drive to the doctor and hope they don't run out of gas. If they do, they just leave the car wherever and walk the rest of the way. Most of the time I do home visits I bring my clients food as they have none in the house. It always amazes me that they usually eat it all while I am there. I think part of it is they are truly hungry but also they just live in the moment, with no concept of saving 1/2 of the bunch of bananas for their kids to eat tomorrow.
So far I'm not doing well with my word of the year-- maybe this post will be my inspiration.
I love your telling of this experience.
Beautiful.
On a totally unrelated note- how do you adjust to 2:00 schedule?
We have been on it for last year, and this year and I am ready to be done!
this is why I LOVE you Sunday thoughts! What a great learning experience. I admire you for going back and helping her. You'll have to share the story with your primary kids!
So great that you picked her up and listened to the prompting. Did you ever read the story on my sista Lisa's blog about when she picked up the little old lady to give her a ride home? That was a funny story.
I just love this story. It just shows one of the many things I love about you, Jill.
So great that you listened, that you had an eye-opening experience, and that you had a teaching opportuity with Whitney.
What a great story. It feels so good when we actually listen to the Spirit. It makes me realize that I brush those thoughts off a lot because I'm in a hurry or some other stupid reason.
I know I need to be more aware of my surroundings and people around me all the time. I feel like I operate in a bubble half the time, which I like because I never notice a lot of the unsavory things in life but it also keeps me from seeing those in need.
love it. good for you to listen to the prompting you have. thanks for your example.
and how perfect is it that she was going to the post office- and YOU, good mail queen herself, came to her rescue. :)
I would never have done that. I would have thought about it, but been to afraid that maybe they would turn out to be a weirdo/killer/crazy person. That was an amazingly nice thing to do. That story makes me want to annonymously mail that lady some money & tell her there are people who don't know her, but care.
What a wonderful experience! I think that it is beautiful that the Lord trusts us to answer the prayers of His other sons and daughters.
oh missy...sadly this applies to us as of late....putting in 5.00 here and there....my driving radius has reduced 90% ...very sad. You see why I have turned into an ostrich?
WOW! I'm not sure I would have picked up on any of her clues at all. Sometimes I have to remember to not assume that everyone has everything that I have and more. This ties into my word for the year too.
I think listening is HARD! For many reasons. But I'm glad you listened and were able to help the woman. I have definitely been on the receiving end of a similar situation and was so grateful for the help.
That sounds like a wonderful experience! That sounds like one of those instances I might have blown off and realized too late that it was the Spirit prompting me. I never regret acting on promptings of the Holy Ghost but I still find myself too often brushing aside subtle suggestions. While you may feel like you shoved your foot in your mouth, I think this experience was a definite success.
I love that you listened and followed. I need to be better about this. What a great thing for Whitney to see you do!
I've had the 'foot in mouth' feeling so many times. But even with that, I love that she told you that you were an answer to her prayers. What a perfect way to know you were really listening.
Wonderful...Patsy, Jane, and Michelle summed up my thoughts in their comments. Truly wonderful!
This is your best Sunday Thoughts post ever. Way to be brave and involved. Way to be on the lookout. This is such a cool story.
Sometimes it's hard trying to get someone to agree to let you serve them. I've found that acting overly confident and carefree helps in situations where you don't know the person well/at all.
I have had experiences like that as well, your post was a nice reminder. Thank you!
You have a gift for things like this. My heart hurts for that lady...
(This seems like Thursday lunch discussion! What in the world? I must have been to busy whining for you to get a word in...)
Great story and experience Jill!
I totally would have assumed too that she was just spacey about the gas.
How humbling to hear you were an answer to someone's prayer.
And how great to have that teaching moment with Whitney.
Wow, Jill...this is one great story...What a great opportunity teaching opportunity it was to share with Whitney...
I'm so impressed by you...I really mean that...you are as good as they get...
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