Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Second Chances

"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” Matthew 7-21

It was nearing the end of a busy work day when I saw him walk through the door and toward my desk. He wore a blue and white bandanna tied round his shoulder length hair, his jeans were ripped at the knees and his arms were full of grease. He looked pretty scruffy, but it was the spider web tattoos on his arms and neck that made me a little uneasy.


I set my pen aside as he came closer. “Can I help you?” I asked. “I’ve run out of gas”, he said. “Do you have any gas or a gas can that I could use?” “No, I’m sorry I don’t”, I replied, hoping that he would leave. He smiled humbly, as if he knew that I would say no. He thanked me, turned around and left.

It was in that moment, when he smiled and turned away, that I remembered my morning prayer, “Father, help me to see your face in everyone I meet this day and use me as you will”.

My heart sunk. The Lord had answered my prayer and I had just blown it big time because I was frightened by someone's appearance!

I got up and looked out the window to see if I could see the man whom I had just sent away. He was nowhere to be found, but I did see a beat up old truck loaded down with cardboard. You see, my office is down the street from a recycle center and many hard working folks bring their findings up and down our street all day just hoping to earn enough money to make ends meet. This man had almost made it there when his truck had run out of gas.

I quickly went out to our warehouse and managed to find a gas can. As I walked out the door he mysteriously reappeared. And when we saw each other, I am not sure which one of us was happier, him or me! He thanked me for helping him; I apologized for not giving him the time he deserved. Continuing  to smile, he  took the gas can and went about his business.

A little while later I heard his truck start up. God had given me a second chance and I was so grateful!

14 comments:

kam said...

A random act of kindness, an opportunity given to us by God, a moment for us to make a difference. It's hard to know who the act of kindness helps more, the reciever or the giver...I always believe that a single solitary act of kindness does much more than we will ever know. A good deed, on so many levels...

Daily Grace said...

KAM,
An opportunity given to us by God,indeed.

Peace friend.

Unknown said...

I have to agree with kam- those seemingly small acts of kindness have far reaching effects. The prayer you prayed that morning is one I find God loves to answer, may we have the grace to see and hear His answer.
Thanks for sharing this.
God bless!

Daily Grace said...

Yes, it is God's grace that allows us to see and hear his voice. Thank you Karinann.

Victor S E Moubarak said...

Thank you for praying for me when I was not well.

God bless.

Daily Grace said...

Victor!!!It is so WONDERFUL to hear from you my friend! Welcome back and God bless!

Michael said...

Good for you! I remember a few times when this happened to me ... without the happy ending that you experienced. Someday I will learn ..

God Bless you

Julie Cragon said...

Oh how many times I've missed those opportunities. God is good. Great story.

Anonymous said...

This is a very powerful story, Daily. The important part is that you remembered your prayer and did something about it. I hope you left work with a smile yesterday. May we all see Jesus' face in others...imagine how our world would be.
Andie

Daily Grace said...

Ah Andie, how true your comment is. May we all see Jesus' face in others!

Mary N. said...

Thank you, DG, for this wonderful post. You helped someone in need despite your fear and this isn't always easy to do!

Elizabeth said...

Beautiful, just beautiful. I love this story.
Peace,
Elizabeth

the booklady said...

That's a wonderful story! And better because it's true! Thanks so much for sharing it with us DG. I've found that to be the case too. When I 'blow it' -- as I often do, in missing a chance to act as Christ would -- if I ask Him to give me another chance, He DOES! He is SO good!

Brandee Shafer said...

I am so happy for your second chance. I messed up an opportunity to help a woman find black-eyes peas at the grocery store on December 31st. Still thinking about it.