Stories: Evening Conversation
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| Yesterday evening, I had the opportunity to go to the Bishops Store house to file some food orders for two needy families in our ward. I took my Ford Escort on a 1 hour drive to Tucker, even though the night before I felt impressed not drive that vehicle for the long trip, being that several issues exist making the car only fit for local driving.
I felt great. I purchase gas for less than two dollars a gallon and had a smooth drive amidst all the traffic to my destination.
Once I had all the food separated and loaded for each family in the car, it started to happen. The thing that happens to signal everything is about to go wrong. For me, it was the tire going flat. I figured it no problem. I would just go to the nearest petrol station and fill the tire up. The tire completely deflated before I reach the nearest petrol station forcing me to pull over at a school to change the tire. I removed all the food from the boot only to fine out that the tire iron was missing. I thought I could just scream, but I did not. I loaded the groceries into the boot again and went farther on the now destroyed tire to the Chevron Petrol Station. As I pulled up a greasy man whisked by with the words, “We are closed,” apathetically leaving his mouth. I felt aghast. Here I was, hours away from home in a strange city at 7:30 pm, and the Petrol attendant says the station is closed. I told him I had a flat tire. He did not care. I asked to borrow a tire iron. He would not do so. I ask to use some air at least. He agreed, but failed to mention when the station closes air pressure also shuts off.
I parked my car at an insurance office next to the station and followed directions to a store given by another attendant at the petrol station. I walked about a half-mile or almost a kilometer to the store just to find it closed. I said a quick prayer and noticed an Advanced Auto Shop further down the street in the opposite direction. I entered the store confident I would be on my way. I only had $9 in my pocket and the tool I needed cost 10. I felt as deflated as the tire. The technician behind the counter kindly searched my vehicle on the computer and matched his personal tire iron to my car. He told me I could borrow, but I must bring it back or God would get me. For some strange reason I showed him my Temple recommend to assure him I would deal honestly with him. I doubt he knew for what purpose I showed my recommend. I walked the long way back only to see a tow truck leaving with a car that resembled mine. My heart sank and I wanted to cry. Of course, I did not cry encouraging myself saying, you are a big Black man walking down the street in a shirt and tie with a tire iron, get it together. I have not idea why, but that stopped the tears.
Luckily, for me, some other poor soul's car rode atop the hauler. I prepared all the equipment to get the tire changed only for disappointment. The tire iron did not fit the car tire bolts! I blamed the Chevron Station and vowed never to go to that company for business. Then I put the blame on myself where it belongs for forgetting to place the tire iron in the car in the first place. I did not know what else to do so I prayed.
I specifically asked God to send someone to rescue me from my then dilemma. After I prayed, the Spirit instructed me to stand outside of my car and wait, just stand there. I was fine with that because I would not have been content with sitting in the car and waiting, my mind was racing with the issue of getting the iron back to the gracious man in the store and getting the food to its destination in a timely manner.
I stood for too many minutes then began to question the wisdom of standing there. I thought to myself “Who of all these people going by will be touched by the spirit to help me.” I thought it a long shot being that I am Black man in a strange city. I thought the stereotype of being Black would discourage anyone but a Black person to help me. I was wrong, and Lord tried to tell me
The Spirit told me that the person that would assist me would be unlikely to me. I assumed that a police officer would stop or something. Every time I saw a tow truck, I sensed I should take notice of it.
After standing near my car so long, I grew antsy and the spirit told me to walk back to the Store. Again, my heart sunk thinking of the long walk. I also thought, well what was the reason for me waiting, standing outside my car? I shrugged it off thinking that it must have been necessary for something and I began the long trek. For some reason, the spirit directed me down a strange road. I almost did not go because I am unfamiliar to Tucker, GA. I lamented walking so far. I did not have to. The road the spirit directed me on took me to another street that lead straight to Advanced Auto. I was so grateful to get to the shop in such short time.
I noticed a tow truck in front of the shop and it reminded me that the person that helped me would not be a likely candidate in my estimation. Once inside I related my mournful tale. The clerk that lent me the tire iron then spoke to a customer about me as I returned his tire iron. I went to purchase some fix-a-flat because I knew I could not afford another tire iron.
The customer, a small, wiry White man, with tough dirty hands and dirty clothes told the clerk he would help me. I did not pay much attention to his answer because both the customer and the clerk seemed to be saying, “I would help, but…” in their responses. I was so sure I would be walking home that night. I determined not to call my wife to come and get me because by this time, it was 9 pm and my kids were in bed.
I asked the clerk to direct me to the Washroom and upon my return, which was brief; the customer who agreed to help me with my car tire issue was gone. I thought to my self, “I knew he wouldn’t help me.”
I went to the count to purchase the fix-a-flat and the clerk said, “What are you doing. The guy said he would help you. He will at least give you a ride back to the Chevron station and let you use his tire iron.”
“Oh,” I said surprised and delighted.
“Go on,’ the clerk insisted. “You don’t need that stuff,” he said referring to the fix-a-flat. “You have a spare. Go on, you’re holding my man up, he’s helping you.”
I rushed out to his vehicle and discovered it to be the tow truck. The man took me to my car with friendly conversation the entire way. He old me the clerk is a good friend of his. When we got to the car, the man changed my tire for me, and saw me safely off. I was impressed with this man. He smelled of cigarettes and oil, and was dingy, but his help was free and heart was full of goodwill.
He said, “You’re good to go sir,” and gave me his business card when I asked his name, Mr. Lee Roberts.
When entered my car a vision occurred to me while I pulled away from the insurance building. I saw the reason the God wanted me to stand outside of my car and wait so long. He took into consideration that in my then nervous state I would worry myself to sickness unless I stood up and breathe in the fresh air around me outside the car. I had to wait because if I had taken off at that time I would have made it to the Shop before Lee showed, and missed my rescuer. I saw that my rescuer was someone who I would not expect, a cigarette smoking tow truck driver.
I thought that I should introduce Lee to the gospel, but the spirit told me, “Not now,” for him. He then helped me to see how someone unseemingly to me could show God’s mercy without making the covenants that I made. I understood that before, but now I have a witness that God works through who is available and willing, no matter their station in life. Though Lee has no authority to officiate in ordinances, he has charity, which is the greatest of all gifts from God. Though a man may have revelations, and prophesy of great things, and command things in God’s holy name, except he has charity, he is nothing, and will not abide the Lord at the last day. The spirit let me know that now was my time to receive a blessing at the hands of another, and not seek to bless at that time.
I took his card, and will send Lee the Book of Mormon with my testimony in it. Because of his kindness, he has won my business with his Tow Truck Company if ever I need such. |
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