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The $5 Angel “Lord if you can just get me to the next gas station I will love you forever!” Ever said that before? Two weeks ago I was praying that little ditty for three or four miles until I saw the wonderful lights of QT on the horizon and smiled my thank yous to the Lord. I pulled to the first pump and noticed a white piece of paper taped to the middle of the pump. “Great,” I mouthed, thinking it was out of order, and pulled to the next pump. I fumbled out of my car and made my way to the pump. As I began pumping gas into my car it clicked in my head that the note on the pump didn’t say “Out of order.” I forced the automatic button on the pump and made my way back to the first pump. The paper was folded in half and the words “Take me” were scribbled in pencil on the front. I peeked in between the sides of the paper and there was a $5 bill folded inside with these words: I hope you had a good day. If not I hope this makes it better. We will probably never meet but I will think of you and pray for you. Love, An Angel I was so stunned that I didn’t notice the little rusted red car trying to pull up to the pump. I shoved the money back in the note and re-taped it to the pump and scooted back to my car. As I was walking back, I was reminded of an article that I read on ninetyandnine.com about someone finding $10 and posting it on a message board. Now to find money and try to give it back to its owner is grand, but to freely give money to a total stranger that was beyond me; even if Jesus exhorts, “…freely ye have received, freely give.” (Matthew 10:8) I knew I had to relay this experience, but I wanted that note as proof—more for myself than anyone else. I went back to the free money pump and asked the nice couple if they minded if I kept the note. I explained my reason and then she asked if she could relay a story to me. “Sure” I happily responded. “Ugh,” I quietly shouted to myself. I had nothing better to do than stand at a gas pump and listen to a total stranger’s story? “This morning,” she began, “I was driving in a part of town I was unfamiliar with and I kept going in the wrong direction. I finally figured out where to go and as I was sitting at the light to get on the highway to get me home I noticed a man standing on the side of the street with a sign asking for money. Now I normally don’t give money to just anyone, but as I passed him I felt the Lord tell me to give him something. I told the Lord that I really didn’t think I had any money in my purse but I dug around in my change purse and my cup holder hoping to give him something. After I finally got turned around I was able to find him again and give him the five dollars I had gathered together. “And look here,” she pulled the money out of the paper and waved it in the air, “The Lord just gave me back my five dollars. He is good!” By this time she was almost preaching at me and I was smiling as big as the sun. “Praise God! Ya know, I think God is trying to show you that He is and will be faithful to. Sounds like he is trying to build your faith,” I blurted out before I could stop myself. I was expecting a piercing look or punch in the arm from her husband. But to my surprise she said, “Sista, I think you are absolutely right!” After we exchanged pleasantries and I got my note, I was walking back to my car and behind me she shouted out, “God bless you my sister, God richly bless you!” It was almost too much for my brain to process. The mystery angel leaving $5, the rusted red car lady gave $5 and got it back and she knew it was God trying to show her something. Oh the things that can happen at a gas station! I don’t want to sound like I am bragging, but I do consider myself a giving person. ■ I understand the words of Jesus, “If you give, you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use in giving--large or small--it will be used to measure what is given back to you” (Luke 6:38). ■ I buy little presents for my friends for their birthdays. ■ I give cards when I feel a friend is having a rough day. ■ I try to exhibit Christ in my world. Then I began thinking, God expand the borders of my mind to really grasp was it means to be like you. Not only to give to my little world of family and friends, but to give to your world as well. Because the scripture that matters is straightforward, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35).
ninetyandnine.com ©2001, Tiffini Smelser ------- Tiffini Smelser’s favorite candy is tart-N-tiny's, which she can only find on road trips in small towns in the middle of everywhere. |
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