Angels among us…

All week long I checked the weather.

When you have kids that live in different cities, you keep an eye on those towns just as much as you keep an eye on the local weather. IF not more.

So far, so good.

It looked like the hurricane was heading in a different direction than Augusta, where my son goes to school.

By Thursday evening, I was concerned. I told him, I begged him to keep an eye out and to stay inside.

I am sure I must have sounded like the nagging wife often spoke of in Proverbs! Little did I care, I just wanted to make sure he knew to be aware.

Augusta, Georgia ended up being hit very hard by Hurricane Helene.

I have heard story after story of tragedies there in that sweet little historic town.

Joseph left early Friday morning to come back home, a 2 hour drive.

Little did he know the amount of destruction the hurricane had left in its mighty path.

He needed gas. No gas anywhere.

He needed cell service. No cell service.

He made his way down interstate 20 and came to a road closure. It was sending him on a detour.

Little to no knowledge of these back roads, he found himself lost.

His gas tank was nearing empty and he had no phone service or map service on his phone.

I was back home trying desperately to locate him on my life 360 app.

Nothing. Nothing. Nothing.

Finally, an hour later, he called.

I frantically answered as he was talking so fast, fearing losing cell service.

He had pulled into a strangers driveway and asked him for help.

“WHAT????” I tried to be calm, but was worried about this stranger that he asked to help him. My mind was racing with thoughts.

Joseph had asked the man if he had any gas he could use.

The gentleman pondered and then replied, “I may have a couple of gallons in my lawn mower.”

They went to get the gas and the man discovered he had a full container of gas and gladly gave it to Joseph.

Joseph was overwhelmed with gratitude, as you can imagine.

He called me and I spoke with the man that was helping Joseph.

“Sir, I cannot thank you enough for helping my son. You are an angel to us today. I want to pay you for your trouble. Do you have venmo, cash app, or paypal?””

The man replied, ‘Ummmm, no m’amm. I don’t know anything about those things. But, I do have a mailing address if you want to mail something to me.”

I giggled and said, “That will work!”

Not only did the man give Joseph gas that day, but he hopped in his truck and told Joseph to follow him, and he showed Joseph the way back.

I am so grateful to this gentleman that lives in Thomson, Georgia. I am overwhelmed by his kindness to Joseph.

In a world that seems like it is falling apart at the seams, God showed us a glimpse of His Love and Kindness and Goodness in a perfect stranger.

As days went by, I kept thinking of how grateful I was to this stranger that helped my son.

I mean, he gave him ALL the gas he had. Surely, this man could have given him a little and kept the rest for himself. All of the gas stations were closed, he could use that gas.

My momma heart wants to lavish this stranger in gifts. I want to meet him and hug him and show him my gratitude!

Surely, God feels this way about us when we help His children, right??

When we take the time to reach out to those in need…sacrificing our time, our resources, our money…to help someone….God must be feeling the same way I do about this perfect stranger.

Surely, God wants to lavish us with blessings when we help his weary children in need.

This picture just keeps coming back into my heart….a Father who loves their child so much and wants to just bless the socks off those who act on His kids behalf.

Exactly like I want to bless this man that helped my son.

Joseph was lost and without resources.

A stranger jumped in and showed Joseph the way back.

I pray my eyes will always be as open and as willing as this man.

I pray I will not ever count the cost when it comes to helping someone in need.

I pray that I will always be in the right place at the right time to help someone.

I pray that I will be looking for opportunities to do this. Expectant and prepared to help.

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:38

We all need each other. God made us for community.

We may feel safe and self-reliant and may feel like we don’t need help.

But, there may be a time when we need a hand from a stranger. There may be a time when we are lost and cannot find our way back.

Let’s fulfill our purpose here on earth to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ.

Just like this stranger from Thomson, Georgia.

“Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.” Philippians 2:4

spilling gratitude,

jill