God Knows Exactly Where You Are

While on a trip to the mountains to visit The Homestead about four years ago, I received an opportunity to be a Good Samaritan. I was on my way to get quiet within, to soak up the scenery and to cleanse my soul. It's a ritual that is like pressing a reset button in my life. I was looking forward to thinking, writing, and "just being". The scenery was so beautiful. While I was driving I got the urge to stop in a small town to go the Dollar General Store to buy a couple of my favorite colored writing tables. These tablets inspire me and the colors seem to be able to pull the words right through me.

I got off at the Lexington exit and saw a Dollar Tree Store, but no Dollar General. I had never shopped at Dollar Tree and I didn't know if I would find the tablets I wanted there. I almost decided to drive on and stop at the next exit, but I decided to have some lunch instead and stop by the store anyway. I did find three pretty writing tablets that I thought would inspire me and was eager to get back on the road to get to my destination. When I went to pay for them, I realized I only had $8.00 in cash. I had left my cash at home, but I had my credit cards. My purchase came to $7.28. That was ironic because of what happened next.

As I was pulling out of the parking lot and approaching the stop sign, there stood a woman holding a sign that said "Stranded - need money to get back to Michigan." I read the sign and briefly our eyes me. I drove of, but instantly I knew that this was the real reason that I was prompted to get off at that exit. I went to the nearest gas station and explained to the attendant that I wanted to help the lady just down the street who was stranded. I would charge the gas to my credit card, give her the receipt and he was to accept the receipt and give her the gas. He tried to discourage me, saying that somebody had a similar sign to that on a camper a couple of days before. That did not matter to me. I was sure in my heart that I was the person who was supposed to help this woman. I would rather be counted as an angel in God's eyes, than a fool in the gas attendant's eyes. Besides many many years ago in the cold of winter I passed by a lady without a coat as I was going into the newspaper building to place an ad. The still small voice said "give her your coat." I only had one winter coat myself, but I did have an all weather coat at home. I kept going, but once inside I decided that it had to be God nudging me to do this and I decided to do it. I was only in the building for a few minutes, but when I came out she was no where to be found. I felt awful. I wondered if she would freeze that night if no one else offered her a coat. I felt disappointed in myself that I didn't act on the impulse to help, even though I didn't quite understand it. I made a decision from then on that I would always honor that still small voice.

I imagined what this woman must have felt like to be miles away from home, a stranger, counting on the goodness of others to extend you a helping hand. I felt a warm feeling inside knowing that I would be the bridge to get her back on the road and back "home". All I did was put myself in her place. I remembered being stranded with just a flat tire, but that can be a stressful time if you don't have a spare. It took 45 minutes before someone stopped to help me. I knew that someone would; I just had to be patient. I knew this because I have always tried to sow good seeds and be generous and I knew that in my time of need, someone would step up to the plate and help me.

I also remembered a time in my life when times were hard. Strangers whom I call "angels" appeared to help me and they didn't even know me. They were generous, gracious and caring. I even remembered the recent incident of being in the store and away from home discovering that I only had $8.00 with me. What if I didn't have the credit cards with me?

This lady was miles from home and stranded. Yet God knew exactly where she was. I left home thinking I was going on vacation and I got off the exit thinking I was going to buy some writing tablets, but God had another assignment for me that day. Suppose I had listened to the gas attendant for fear that I was being taken advantage of? Suppose she really was taking advantage of me? I may never know. This I do know, if you have never been in that place in your life, it's easy to dismiss a person who is reaching out for help. But if you have been at a low place in life, you will always rise to the occasion because you remember "when" and the old saying "there but for the grace of God go I."

You never know how God will use you to answer the whispered prayer of someone else. When you are gently urged to be a Good Samaritan, rise to the occasion. Or if YOU are stranded at an unfamiliar location in your life like the woman was, remember God knows exactly where you are and will send you the help you need. Don't be discouraged if people are passing you by. The right person with the right heart is on their way to you. A Good Samaritan is coming your way. And when things get better for you, it's your turn to be one.

Copyright 2008 by Sharmaine L. Hobbs

Sharmaine Hobbs is a writer and speaker and Founder of The Metamorphosis Movement which is a transformational movement reaching 100,000 women in 2008 to inspire, uplift and empower them to become the woman they were born to be. She reaches women through her speaking engagements, inspirational writings, womens workshops, teleclasses, mentoring program and her website. "When Women Awaken, Mountains Move!" To have her speak at your event or to awaken and transform your life, visit online at http://www.whenwomenawaken.com and email her at sharmaine@comcast.net.

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