The Hitchhiker

So, I was driving to the church to drop off some goodies for a memorial service we are having there for a church members family when along the side of the road I saw a man. He was hitchhiking and he looked awful tired and sweaty from all the walking. Before I knew what I was doing I was stopping and letting this man into my car. My heart raced as I recalled every Criminal Minds show I had ever watched and prayed to the Lord for protection over myself and my fourteen year old son. He told us what had happened in his life to bring him to this point. Same old story. We talked a little bit about God. When we got to the highway, I asked if I could pray for him before he got out. He said yes. I prayed. I thanked God for this man, I asked God to make the rest of his journey smooth and for this mans safety. I never did get his name. As we turned around to go to the church, our prior destination, I began to cry. It had suddenly dawned on me that this is exactly what my real father had to do ALL of his adult life. My real father was hit by a car while riding his bike when he was a young teen. Because of that accident he suffered with epilepsy. This prevented him from ever being able to drive. Everywhere he went he had to hitchhike. My mom told us stories how he used to have to hitchhike every morning to work. In the rain, in the snow...we lived in Des Moines Iowa then, so the weather could get pretty bad. I thought of my father and how many times someone...like me, had stopped and helped him out. The feelings were pretty deep and so, I decided to do what I normally do when I learn something new about me or about God or about life. WRITE. Moral of the story? Don't live your life motivated by fear. You never know what you'll miss out on. Me, I would have missed out on a much needed connection to my biological father. I hope your day is filled with surprises. The scripture; Hebrews 13:2

"Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels." came to my mind. I stopped crying and have since gone about my day. I continue to pray for the man. I pray that he continues to get a ride from a friendly stranger along his way. I pray too, that if he doesn't know God. He will.


the TRUTH in LOVE, Heidi