Yesterday morning I was driving by my house and hit some train tracks at a bad angle. I had to immediately pull over and call AAA to come tow my car to the Firestone by my office. A few hours later I got a call from the mechanic with more bad news – I had completely bent my tie rod and the cost for parts and labor was going to be a whopping SIX HUNDRED DOLLARS.
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| The sweet man from AAA loading my car onto his tow truck at 7 a.m. |
Like any good 22-year-old, I called my dad immediately. I tried to play the “I’m-poor-and-I-need-you-to-take-care-of-me” card that worked quite a bit in college. Unfortunately, it didn’t work this time. I got the “you’re-graduated-and-have-a-job-now-and-this-is-your-responsibility” speech instead of the “of course I’ll spoil you!” speech I was praying for. While a completely legitimate and valid point (and honestly I agree with him), what it really came down to is the fact that I just don’t have $600 laying around in my bank account to pay to fix my car, and without a car in Nashville I would literally be stranded. I had thought that God would use my dad to help me. I began to doubt His provision in this situation and couldn't understand what lesson the Lord was trying to teach me.
It was at this point that the Lord started to bless me tremendously.
All of a sudden everyone in my office started coming to my rescue. Coworkers I hardly even know were reaching out to me. People were offering anything they could, from driving miles and miles out of their way to get me to and from work, to praying that God would provide in my time of need. And God did provide! One of the women I work with handed me her car keys and her debit card, told me to go to the ATM and take out as much money as I needed, and said I could pay her back whenever I was able to (Ridiculous, I know -- who does that?? Only at Mercy!).
Now any of y’all who know me know that I get SO UNCOMFORTABLE when people try to give me gifts or do me favors. The thought of inconveniencing anyone for my benefit makes me cringe. All my life I have taken care of myself, and I often do things the hard way just because I don’t want to have to ask for help. Recently though, God has really been convicting me of my pride. I personally get a lot of joy out of being able to do things for my friends and giving them gifts – why wouldn’t I want to let others serve me in a similar way?
Since getting to Nashville I’ve often been overcome by feelings of gratitude and unworthiness. God has repeatedly put me in the most amazing circumstances and has repeatedly surrounded me with the most amazing people. This situation was just another reminder of His grace and mercy. I’ve only been at Mercy Ministries for a month, yet my entire office was covering me with their love when I was in a tough situation. As much as I absolutely love Nashville, it has been quite a transition going from having my group of 20 best friends who are all believers in addition to my 283 sorority sisters, to starting to form random friendships that haven’t yet had the proper time to develop and grow deeper. I sometimes feel pretty alone here, but yesterday God proved to me that I am not. He taught me I have a family at Mercy that loves me and will take care of me, and for that I am so thankful!
Praising Jesus for his wonderful provision!
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