Thursday, June 10, 2010

God is with us!

Last Wednesday, we had just returned from a weekend trip to Virginia, had headed off 40 minutes to a homeschool meeting and then had a couple of errands to do on the way home.

We stopped at CVS in hopes of snagging some clearance diapers, but they were not on sale. However, while there I noticed we had a very flat front tire. Fortunately, we were already safely parked in a parking lot and not out on the road, we had already eaten lunch and had quick access to a bathroom!

I sheepishly admit that I have never changed a tire. Have never even looked to see where our spare tire is located in our "new" car that we've had for three years. Ahem.

As usual, the girls thought it was all an adventure! I told them we did not need to be afraid because God was with us. But, in my mind - I had absolutely no idea what we were going to do. We were 30 minutes from home and David was not able to come. I had forgotten my cell phone and a friend who lives close to there had just left town that day. Oh, and one irony - we had an appointment for the next morning to get NEW tires!

First thing I did was go into CVS and ask where the closest tire place was. It was back out on the highway which I knew I could not safely drive to. So, I loaded up Samuel in the stroller and the girls and I walked across the street to a gas station. We called David to get a plan of action!

I did have two cans of Fix-A-Flat in the back of my car. So, that was my first step. To see if that would raise the tire just enough that I could drive across the street to the gas station and the air machine to refill it. The Fix-A-Flat did do what I had hoped and we made it over to the air pump.

But, no air was going in! I quickly noticed that the valve stem was cracked and letting air out as quickly as it was going in. Ok, now I know we're going to need to change the tire. I called David again, and began to get out the manual for how to change the tire and where to find it!

It was quite hot outside, so I kept my car running with the littles seated comfortably inside. Meanwhile, a gentleman pulls up to the air pump behind me and fills his tires. He glances my way and sees me reading the manual, looking in the back of the car, etc...

So, he asks the brave question, "Is everything ok?" I explained I had a flat tire and was trying to find the spare and then admitted I'd never changed a tire.

"You're going to learn right now," he said. And, he proceeded to change our tire while talking me through how to do it.

Over the next fifteen minutes or so, I learned that God had prompted him to ask if we needed help and that he and his wife homeschooled their children. No one loves them like their mama, he said and no takes care of them like their mama.

What a blessing - I told him that I had told my children that God would take care of us even though I had no idea what I was going to do and then I told them about the wonderful man that God sent and how he loved God too! Sweet tears overflowed - as I was again reminded of how God is with us and how He will take care of us even when I am not sure how!

35 comments:

Iron Girl!! said...

Amen! How wonderful it is when we trust the Lord and trust He will take care of us, even when we are not sure how He will do so sometimes. What a wonderful life lesson and faith you showed to your "littles". Love that! Following your beautiful blog. :)

Amy said...

I would have been so scared. I have no idea how to change a tire either.

Crystal said...

Oh what a wonderful story. Thank you.

Tonya Gunn said...

God is always with us - yes!
My first long trip (6 hours) from home with our 12 year old car and six children - we nearly lost our tire - but God led me safely to the Yankee Candle Shop outlet center - complete with public bathrooms and beautiful grounds. God then led us to a man who worked at the Yankee company that happened to also work on cars for his hobby and he guided us about how we could safely get to our destination and put our tire back on (we had lost 4 nuts!).
God is amazing.
Warm wishes, Tonya

Dorothy said...

What a beautiful life lesson for you and your children.
Blessings
Ozzi Dotti <3

Mom said...

I loved this story the first time I heard it and am glad to be reminded of the dear believer who followed God's prompting to offer assistance to you that day! Bless him!! And what a powerful demonstration to you and your sweet children of God's providence and protection. Love you, Mom

Melissa of Churubusco, IN said...

How awesome! :) God answers prayers when we simply utter a word, AND He did part the Red Sea ... a tire seems like a breeze! :) Great encouragement to start my day, thanks Melanie.

ktquilts said...

Thanks for the reminder that He is always there. Your story was a great way to start the day!!

Blessings,

KT

Wendi said...

Great story... God is certainly always with us!

~katie~ said...

What a beautiful testimony of your faith and of God's provision!

Tania said...

Wow what a wonderful story. Everyone is in such a hurry now a days, it is such a blessing he was able to take the time to help you. Thanks for sharing!

Cheryl said...

I love it when you share these moments with us. So often we don't look to God first when we are in times of trouble or need; but you did and you were blessed. Don't you love God's timing when we are open to let him work in our lives?

Nancy at EmbroideryIt.com said...

Oh Monica, what a beautiful story. God works in such amazing ways. In my mind I always picture God's angels floating over us giving assistance and nudges to help us and those around us do the right thing. I can picture the angels having something similar to a telephone tree where one sees that you need assistance and then spreads the word.
I confess I've never had to change a tire either and I'm 46.
Hugs and Blessings,
Nancy

Carrie said...

THAT is an INCREDIBLY awesome story! Thank you so much for taking the time to share it. How encouraging!

rachel@thecupcakesprinklesinlife said...

2 GREAT LESSONS!!!
1. You got to show your children that indeed God is with us...
2. You learned to put on a spare tire!

:) Lovely post... I love how God helps us along in spreading his words and messages to our littles!

Janeen Daftary said...

How wonderful !!!!! Brought tears to my eyes !! Thanks so much for sharing and YES, God is with us !!!! So wonderful how HE cares for every detail. It is so humbling to think that with the whole universe in his hands, HE still cares for each of our concerns !! What an awesome thing for your kids to see. I know things my mom pointed out to me as a kid were crucial in my own faith walk !!

Bevy @ Treasured Up and Pondered said...

Tears are falling...


You know. I've had a similiar experience (way too long to share here) and since then Prayer and MY FAITH over the seemingly little things (more times the not-so-little)makes a HUGE difference first to us personally and then to others as we share to encourage.

That is a beautiful story, memory and life lesson.

Amy @ Hope Is the Word said...

Thank you for sharing such a sweet story of God's provision, Monica!

asnipofgoodness said...

great story Monica, our God is good all the time! Thanks for sharing that story, such an encouraging reminder!

Elise said...

What a great story. I just got a little teary-eyed-not hard for this pregnant girl, but still...Wow!!
Elise

Tammy said...

That brought tears to my eyes.

I have watched my husband change tires several times but I don't know that I could do it on my own!

~Babychaser~ said...

What a sweet story... thanks for sharing!

Christy said...

How sweet, God does take such good care of us. Once we were stranded on a deserted highway in the middle of the night, when a "rough" looking guy pulled up on a motorcycle. He helped us and we knew God sent him our way. He talked about how he was a struggling Christian and asked us to pray for him. We were so blessed and thankful that God helped us and allowed us to encourage someone else at the same time. God is so awesome like that!

Robin said...

Wow! How wonderful to see God work in your life! What a lesson for your children (and anybody). Tears came in my eyes as I read about God's providing a way for your tire to be changed.

Thanks for sharing!

Rachel Renee said...

Wow, what a touching story! Thank God for amazing things like this. Once years ago when we didn't have a cell phone, we had a flat tire. We were on the side of the road wondering what we were going to do and praying. My dad drove up in his car... he wasn't even supposed to be in this area, but somehow he ended up right there when we needed help.

A few days ago a friend and I got to be on the other end, helping a sweet little lady who was on the verge of panicing because her car wouldn't start. My friend and I were able to help her jump-start her car and tell her what the problem was. The sweet lady was SO appreciative and it was wonderful to be able to help her.

Thank you for sharing this heart-warming story. Things like this remind us how wonderful God is to us. What a wonderful blessing!

angie said...

He is omnipresent! Thanks be to God for his presence in all of our affairs.
Today, we were in an elevator of a children's hospital, going to a neurology appt for our daughter. A woman who was sharing the elevator with us looked to be one with a kind heart. I had a strange feeling that she was the dr. who we were scheduled to see, even though she was dressed very casually. Yes, indeed, she was the neurologist that we were to see

Angela said...

Thank you so much for sharing this Monica! What a blessing and a great testimony! :) God is amazing. God is GOOD!

Michelle said...

I also have never changed a tire, and have been helped by a stranger. God is so good! :)

Mrs. K said...

What a blessing and testimony. Before I got to the end of the story I was asking myself "Yes, but how did she say that without crying?" Because I was tearing up just reading it. Thanks for sharing and praise His holy name - he cares about the littlest things!

Heather's Blog-o-rama said...

What a great story. When my father and I still hd the bvan, it got a flat tire in the parking lot of our apartment complex..We were ble to get it over to Les Schwab...They were so nice and they patched the tire for us for FREE. We didn't ask them to do it..but we really couldn't afford anything at the time...and we NEEDED the van to get to/from work. They must have sensed something and did the repair for free :) :) I tell you...I really love that place for that kindness they extended towards us.

Unknown said...

Tears are in my eyes. All while you are telling the story, I was thinking God is for sure with you and he has sent someone to help. What an awesome example of God's power!! What an awesome example for your children to see. Amen, sister.
Shelley :)

Marie said...

God is Good! My husband has MS and I am disabled. I can walk enough to get us into the car but not enough to get us out when we get to the store. We have always been blessed with the most wonderful people coming by our car and helping us into a store. Thank goodness for people that are not too busy to care. I am glad that God sent the perfect person to help you and your family.
Love,
Marie

Jenny said...

Such a sweet reminder that he does hear and answer prayers.Then give thanks for his gift of answering your prayers.

Jenny's Vegcafe said...

This is a lovely story.

Jenn said...

awww...brought tears to my eyes as well. I'm so glad that dear man was listening and willing to offer a helping hand. Honestly, I've never changed a tire either.....so glad everything happened the way that it did!