I pulled into Gainesville, Georgia with an hour to spare before needing to be at the Adventures in Missions headquarters for training camp. I was excited to have time to pick up some snacks and get everything neatly organized in my bag. I’d felt led to go to the Target that was closer to town, even though it was further away from where I was when I used GPS to look up Target destinations.
I got my snacks (who knows what to expect food-wise when you are going to training for an international mission trip) and some other items I needed. I got back to my car and started arranging things so the last-minute purchases would fit in my pack. I was digging through my trunk when I heard the sound of an engine trying to turn over. Someone had cranked it a few times, but it wasn’t starting. I looked over to see a woman in a white car attempting once again to get the car to start. “God, please help her get her car started,” I prayed quickly and silently, without much thought. I continued to pack and realized it was time for me to go; I had a 25 minute drive ahead of me and I needed to be at AIM in 30 minutes.
If we have not met, something you should know about me is I like to be on time. I value being a timely person. Especially in the case of meeting new people and setting the standard of what they can expect from me for the next year. This was a time to make a good first impression.
“Excuse me,” I hear. I turn to face the woman who has now walked up to my car. “Will you help me jump my car? I can’t get it started.” My heart starts thumping. “I’m sorry ma’am, I would love to, but I have to go, I’m going to be late.” She says okay and turns away to walk back to her car. I could hear the disappointment in her voice. I close my trunk and get in my car. “God, no. No God. Really God? Really?” I sit and have this conversation in my car. I’m going to be late! I can’t do this right now. I have to leave right now in order to make it on time! What do I do?
It suddenly hits me, “You’re going to be a missionary! Why are you going to be a missionary? To HELP people! There is an opportunity right in front of you to help someone; what are you going to do about it?” I sigh, pull out my phone, and dial the number of the person I am supposed to be meeting when I arrive at camp. “Um, yeah, hi. I’m at Target and this lady needs someone to jump start her car. I am going to be a little late this evening.” I pull into the empty parking spot alongside the woman’s car and tap on her window. Needless to say she looked surprised. “I want to help you.” She gets out of her car and thanks me. We get the cables hooked up and her car started, only for it to die again when she backs out of the parking spot. We jump it again, she drives a few circles before yelling thank you and taking off.
It’s difficult for me to admit I got back in my car. It’s hard for me to tell you that I said no, but I did. I placed value on my impression and ranked it higher than her need. Thankfully I snapped out of it quickly and realized what was important. I had to die to myself that day. This was a huge learning lesson for me.
The funny thing? As I was driving to my destination I heard God say, “You prayed for me to help her get her car started.”
