have lemons? make lemonade

Tonight as I was driving home, the strangest thing occurred. I was shifting into 3rd gear when using my stick shift was doing nothing, I was stuck in neutral. I feared that my transmission or clutch failed. I put on my hazard lights and coasted, praying that my car would make it to the upcoming side street, as I was on a very busy road, it was getting dark and drivers in the DFW area aren’t known for their kindness.

I thank God that I’m built like a pack mule, pushing a car on an incline isn’t my favorite of jobs but when I need to, like I did tonight I’m glad that I can. I got the car and myself situated in a safe side street and I called Kelly. She called her dad to come tow me and I tinkered around. I discovered that what had occurred is that the stick shift somehow became detached from the transmission, probably a pin or a bolt, and I even got the car into gear, 4th, so I was able to discern that the transmission and clutch were OK. And the fix is something I can do pretty easily.

As I waited, I decided that I was really hungry, there was a gas station a couple of blocks up the road so I took a little stroll. As I returned I noticed another car coasting with their hazard lights in about the same place I broke down. It was kinda déjà vuish and I laughed to myself, this can’t really be happening. I went back to my car for a second, and noticed that the other car had come to a full stop on the busy street. I decided that I should check on them and offer a hand. As it turned out, in the car was an older lady, probably in her late 50’s, she had run out of gas and was not able to move the car. She was stuck. I offered to push her out of the way, she was happy to let me.

I was really upset when my car broke down tonight, I told God about it too. When that lady broke down and I was there to help, God showed me that sometimes He needs us to give up a bit of comfort and be flexible so we can be available to assist those in need.

Not sure if my car broke down so I could help that lady but I know that she needed help and I was there to give it. Thank you God for giving us opportunities to help others even in our own times of need.