The lights were all on but the gas station had closed. “Uh God, now what?” He said keep driving. So I started it back up and kept on. I was almost to the exit when it happened, cur plunk, dead and gone. I had sucked every last fume of gas out of it.
I called Sarah laughing with the news that I made it as far as the Lord wanted.
Why here God?
Sarah showed up a couple minutes later with no gas can and no gas. “Where is the gas?” I asked. “I was supposed to get that first?” she replied. That would make sense… except if the Lord wanted to do something different. (6th miracle)
With no idea where a gas station was we drove only to find one right up the road. (7th miracle). Instead of having to buy a can I thought maybe I would ask to borrow one. Sure enough the lady behind the counter was kind enough to lend us her own with a promise to return. (8th miracle) She asked why I let the gas run out. I took a deep breath and told her I was a Christian and had felt like God wanted me to drive with no gas. She looked at me like I was crazy. I told her it had worked for 2 hours but for some reason stopped a minute from her store.
After filling her can up we headed to revive my car. I wanted to bless her so I just put a gallon in my car and left the rest for her. (8th miracle)
As I drove back I simply asked “God what do you want to do?”
When we arrived I gave her the gas can and told her I left her some. That made way for conversation. She just so happened to be closing up. I told her that I didn’t believe my car had stopped before her station for no reason. I asked if we could pray for her. She began to list out people in her life who needed prayer. Not what I asked, “what about youuuu” I said. She danced around it and a customer interrupted.
I wasn’t ready for what happened next. She came out the door and let us have it. It was her nephew, she watched him every day for her sister but couldn’t this day because she had a test. It was that day that her sisters boyfriend killed her baby nephew. She began to scream “I know it’s my punishment, I should have watched him.” The tears began to pour. “God is punishing me because I wasn’t there”, she cried. She believed the lie that since she wasn’t there God wasn’t allowing her to have her own kids. She is still barren at 34 after trying for 12 years.
From her mouth came lie after lie. I could see it so clearly. The devil had told her these lies and she was carrying the weight of them. Satan was stealing her life, killing her joy, and destroying everything she put her hand to.
After listening to her for a while we began to speak the truth. “It is not your fault”, “God is not punishing you”, and “God loves you”. She didn’t want to hear it and told us there was nothing we could say that would convince her that God wasn’t punishing her. She was right. We couldn’t… but God could.
After praying for her I knew what I was supposed to do. Hand that garage sale money over. I told her God was going to bless her and I wanted to be the first to do so. When I handed her the money something shook. She began to weep in my arms and I mean weep. Sobbing. It was finally clear. God really did care FOR HER! You see she had been only eating cheese and crackers all week because she didn’t have any money for food. She didn’t have money for gas or to fix her car. God knew. By meeting her physical needs God did a work spiritually that brought her true FREEDOM. She stopped believing the web of lies satan had perfectly constructed to distort her view of God and started believing the TRUTH about who He is. He loves her, so much so to orchestrate 8 miracles to prove it to her.
1. I was late which allowed us to arrive perfectly at her closing time so that we could talk with her.
2. Because I took the $100 I had it to give to her. Which was the final breaking point that proved to her God really did care and love her.
3. Since I turned right to get on the road instead of getting gas I was able to believe God to literally “take the wheel”.
4. Because I was obedient to the spirits nudge not to get gas I was able to arrive needing gas just a minute from her station.
5. God made my empty gas tank last 2 whole hours going 60mph!!!!!
6. Because Sarah didn’t get the gas on her way to get me (what I thought we decided on the phone) we had to ask for the gas can which brought us the open door to talk with her.
7. I was literally up a hill and to the right from her gas station.
8. Because I left gas in her can it provided a couple gallons for her when she had none. It also made way for our conversation.
What to take away from this story?
-God created ALL things and can do ANYTHING despite what is seen(gas light on).
-God cares individually for each of us soooo much so that He will basically part the sea to show us. (8 miracles)
-When we are obedient and listen to the spirits leading(cash,gas etc) God will do more than we could EVER expect or imagine!!!
-Living listening to the spirits voice> than living safely and comfortably "in control".
You better bet I was scared. But what better way to live than dependent on the Lord? Now don’t go try to save money by believing God will put the gas in your car for you. But do simply follow His voice. That still small voice becomes stronger and stronger the more you are obedient and listen to it. When you do, get ready to do crazy things that counteract culture or the “norms” or even logic.
What if I had simply stopped and gotten gas? I would have missed out on the breathtaking ride with Jesus! A crazy out of control adventure with my King. And worst of all I would have forfeited getting to be the one used to bring the life altering LOVE of the Father to my friend at the gas station.
Don’t miss out! God uses people that want to be used. Take those little steps of faith and soon they become giant leaps!
