Earlier this week I stopped one evening at the gas station to fill up the car with gas. I was feeling a little frustrated and impatient at the time. There was a lady whom I had never seen before pumping gas at the same pump but on the other side. I smiled at her and said hello. She said hello back and the following is our dialogue after that. I will name her Susan since I have no idea what her name was.
Susan: Gas prices have gone way up.
Me: Yes, they certainly have.
Susan: But we need to be grateful and not complain.
Me: You’re right, we’re not in a hurricane.
Susan: Yes, our home is not flooded.
Me: And we have power (electricity).
Susan: (Quite animated now) Yes, and we have our family and health!
Me: Yes we do, and it’s such a gorgeous evening tonight. (The sun was setting).
Susan: We have a lot to be grateful for.
Me: We sure do.
Then we said good-bye as she got in her car and drove off. Notice the word “God” was never even spoken.
As I drove off I said out loud to God, “Wow, that was something! You sent her to me to draw me into a spirit of gratitude.” So I spent the next minutes continuing to thank God for things. Then I began to pray for all the hurricane victims and all those who are suffering in the world asking for God’s mercy for them.
Later I thought what spirit do I give to people I meet? In a matter of about 2 minutes Susan led me into prayer. This random conversation at the gas pump with someone I had never met changed my whole mood and outlook and set me in a new direction — toward God and gratitude rather than to my silly negative thoughts.
Thank you Jesus for sending me Susan. It was what I needed and a good lesson.
Pass it on!
Maria J. Escamilla says
Mary Ann, thank you for your wonderful experience at the gas station. That happens to me to when I’m in a negative mood. I thought I was the only one. Praise the Lord for all that he teaches us and remind us of his goodness! ???? I want to thank the Lord for the osteoporosis that I was diagnosed a few years ago. I continue to praise him and honor him. All for the glory and honor of the Lord. ????????????