A Sabbath lesson…the kindness of a stranger

“What is that?” I asked my wife as we got on to highway 67, “It can’t be a flat tire!” But, of course, it was. We pulled over to the side of the road as far as possible and I jumped out to investigate. The rear drivers side tire was as flat as a pancake. We had just left Sabbath service and I was in a suit, the car was loaded with all our traveling gear so even getting to the spare and jack was going to be a pain. The peace of the day left me and I was letting this situation get me upset.
Opening the hatch on my Toyota Yaris, I started moving stuff and pulling things out of the car so I could get to the tire compartment. As soon as I opened it I saw that what was there was one of those temporary tires and my state of mind grew darker. This would mean we needed to get a new tire as soon as possible but this was the Lord’s day, it won’t get done today. I started to pull the tire out and could not remember where the jack was. Then it came to me, it is under the driver’s seat. I would have to kneel on the roadway in my suit pants. “Where was a rag?” I thought. When I did reach under the seat the jack was full of grease and sure enough I got some on my white shirt sleeve. “I can’t believe this!” I mumbled under my breath. Anger welled up inside me.
As I dropped the jack next to the rear and was looking for the lug wrench, I heard a voice behind me. “Can I give you a hand?” I looked up to see a white pickup had pulled up and a man had gotten out. As he came up, in my anger I said, “No it is ok I can handle this.” But he just dropped to his knees and started to look under the car to find the jacking location. He said, “Naww, you’re in your good clothes, let me do this.” I grumpily agreed, but was not happy. He found where the jack should go and went to work. Soon enough the flat was off and he had mounted the spare and was tightening down the lug nuts. Getting up off his knees, he said, “There you go.” And as I was lifting the tire into the car he hopped into his truck and was gone. No thanks necessary, even though I had grudgedly offered it.
As I put everything back into the car, I started to feel shame and regret. Here I was a Christian on the Sabbath day but it was the kindness of a stranger that had truly shown me Christian love and I had been angry about it. I wished that I could do it all over again take back the things I had said and thought but, of course, I could not. Once again, I had fallen short of the glory of God.
As we drove toward the friend’s house we are staying at in Texas my mind wandered and I thought about the parable that Jesus had told of the Good Samaritan. These circumstances certainly did not fit the story too well but the result was the same. We were in distress and a man came to our aid without being asked and without seeking recompense.
It was ironic to me. I think of myself as a follower of Jesus, study His word daily. Yet on the very day when I should be the closest to Him, I found myself far from the peace or humble love He has shown me.
The amazing thing about being a follower of Jesus is that we, “though the righteous fall seven times they rise again…” (Proverbs 24:16) The path to sanctification is a day to day and minute to minute process. And I thank God for that. And I am also thankful today that when we do stumble and “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) We can continue to learn, continue to grow.
Last Sabbath, I allowed something as minor as I flat tire to take away the joy of the Sabbath day. But the kindness of a stranger taught me once again that it is not about me, it is about showing others the love Jesus has shown me. And as we arrived at our friend house my Sabbath spirit had been restored.
I will probably never meet that stranger again. I have no idea if he is a follower of Jesus. But I send my thanks to him this morning for his kindness. And today, as every day, I should be seeking to do the same. Jesus said it this way, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16) Good advice from the master, today I hope to do so. How about you?
Blessings John
6/19/17