Flat Tires and Faithful Service

It is not that I get excited about Camp Mimi each year but I do start planning three months in advance! This year an added benefit was having Sydney (the oldest) take the role of Junior Camp Counselor. She is thirteen and a whiz on the computer and full of more creative ideas than I have had in my entire life. It was going to be a great camp!

But on Monday, Colter was imitating Evil Knieivel on his bike and crashed, thus requiring nine stitches. Tuesday, Syd got new braces (ouch) and then that evening I was rear-ended on the expressway thus totaling my car and stressing my back. Camp was to begin the next day at 8:00 AM.

When I went to the rental car dealer at 8:00 on Wednesday I decided to ask for a car that held 7 passengers. I got one that held nine…a huge luxury extended-cab Suburban (truck!) with every bell and whistle imaginable!! It was the perfect way to travel with five children! So I picked the kids up and we took off for Rock City in Chattanooga. Three hours later, full of great memories we headed for Lake Lanier and our “home” for the next three days. As we were coming across the mountains of North Georgia, on back roads far from what appeared to me civilization, I had a flat tire. I mean FLAT! The lights that came on first said “tire low” and then immediately the car began shaking and making an incredibly loud noise. So what does a girl do in that situation? She prays like crazy and keeps on moving. About a mile down the road we found a Marathon Station. I must say I was greatly relieved, so I pulled in, thanking God all the way. I called the AAA number for that area but got no answer. I went back to the car to try to decide what to do next and there standing by the car was an older gentleman. He was thin and had on work clothes. He hardly said a word, but just climbed under the car, then came out again and lifted the hood and then asked for the car manual.

After reading for a couple of minutes, he got busy. We helped him empty the back of the car that was full of fishing poles, suitcases, bags and boxes and backpacks. He found the tire jack compartment crawled back under the car and for the next forty-five minutes worked in virtual silence, although the kids and I kept thanking him.

Now when I took Drivers Ed in high school (yes, they DID have cars then) I was taught how to change a tire. It was not rocket science. But because of our great innovations and progress now it really DOES take a rocket scientist to change a tire! I simply marveled at the complexity of it all and also the persistence and endurance of the gentleman who pressed on to finish the job. It was back breaking, complicated and difficult. And yet he never showed signs of walking away but just kept on working.

At last the new tire was on, the old tire was in the back and all the bags and poles and suitcases were on top. As we were putting the last of the bags in, the man simply disappeared. I found him back in the gas station paying for some items and again thanked him and told him I did not have cash on me but would so like to send him money for his time, skill and expertise. His reply startled me. “It was the least I could do, Ma’am. No payment necessary.” And with that he walked away.

As I serve Christ, I so want to have that same attitude. When I serve others I want that same attitude. When I serve my family I want that same attitude. Because in essence, when I serve I am doing it in obedience and out of love for Christ and to Him I say, “No payment necessary. It is the least I can do”.

Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

Colossians 3:16-18