Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: CONTROL (02/18/21)
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TITLE: A Trucker or Angel of Mercy | Previous Challenge Entry
By Carolyn Ahrens
02/24/21 -
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Checking every crevice in her purse, she came up with only three one-dollar bills and change. “This isn’t nearly enough for gas,” she said out loud. Searching throughout the car brought forth additional coins. As she added it up, a smile came across her face. There were eight dollars and seventy-two cents… five dollars for gas and three for bread and peanut butter.
Buckling up the children, she hurried to a truck stop at the next exit. She’d been there many times before. Employees and some of the regular truckers had given her a nickname.
“Hey little mama,” shouted the cashier, “Glad to see you again.”
Giving a smile and wave, she practically ran to the restroom. All she wanted to do at that moment was to warm the children under the hand dryer after running through the snowy, bitter cold. When they had warmed up, she grabbed a loaf of bread and peanut butter, then went to pay.
“It’ll be four dollars and ten cents,” the cashier said.
“Oh no,” the young mother replied. “I just put gas in my car and I’m a little short.” Embarrassed, she asked, “Do you have a smaller jar of peanut butter?” The cashier sadly shook her head no… then looking down at the floor, little mama said, “I’ll put it back.”
Turning around, she bumped into a tall burly man. Looking up, she recognized him as one of the truckers she’d talked with on several occasions. He wasn’t just a trucker to her; he was an angel of mercy. “Well, hello little mama. Let me get that peanut butter for you. We all run a little short sometimes,” he said with a smile. “Here’s twenty dollars to get more goodies for those babies,” he concluded.
She thanked him as he winked and walked away.
This wasn’t the first time God had intervened when she had no control over a situation. Many of the truckers had helped her in the past. Grabbing more food, she made sure to keep ten dollars back for gas, then headed back to the rest stop.
When the children were fed, they got settled in for the night. Sleeping bags and quilts kept everyone warm enough to turn off the car’s engine for a while. Fighting back tears, she kissed each goodnight and reassured them that things would get better…but she had no idea how. Her world had spun out of control when her husband walked away, taking all their money except what she’d hidden. It wasn’t long before they were living in the car. Each day she and the children, made a game of looking for coins on the ground. She had little money left; thankfully, truckers, (her angels of mercy) had come to her rescue several times.
As days turned into weeks, she began feeling hopeless. Truckers noticed how frail she was looking. One particular day while waiting to pay for gas, she fainted. Just as she was placed on a couch in the trucker’s lounge, she awoke.
“You passed out,” said an employee.
“Little mama, when is the last time you eat a hot meal?” a trucker asked.
“I don’t know,” she replied.
“I’m calling my friend. He might can help you out,” he said. Though she shook her head no, he continued talking. “He’s a pastor and has a guest cottage on the premises,” he explained. “You might stay there until you feel better.”
With strength gone and spirit broken, she agreed. It turned out to be a great blessing. She grew close to the pastor and his wife. They gave her a job within the church and led her to Jesus.
Many nights she had cried while her children slept…but the pastor helped her see that God was in control, even then. He’d been watching over her all along…lining up the right people for just the right moment.
When we’re faced with difficulties, stay close to God and he’ll stay close to you. He’s working even in the worst of times…He’ll carry you through the storm.
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