Sunday on our way home from church our van died. Like died died. Not “it needs a jump to start” or “it’s out of gas” but like really kicked the bucket. Nearly 250,000 miles, over 15 years old, it lived a good long life and went to that big junkyard in the sky right in the middle of a pretty busy road. We got in a turn lane but the nearest street was up hill. I got behind the wheel and kept the kiddos calm while Tall Cake pushed it during a lull in traffic.
Within moments 3 complete strangers came to his aid to push it all the way up the hill to safety. The first man asked if we wanted assistance and quickly got to work. Seeing what was going on, two more rushed over out of different cars without a word and just started helping. Then a 4th complete stranger, a woman who was from out of town, pulled up behind us and asked if we needed a ride. She saw me, in heels and church clothes, in the snow and slush, talking through the window to the kiddos, and acted selflessly to help.
After I got the car seats in her vehicle, thanked her profusely, and was dropped off with the two little ones at the house, Tall Cake called to tell me the bishop recommended we call one of his counselors, who happens to be our landlord, for a tow because he had the equipment. A few minutes later they were pulling up to our drive. A whole slew of people, without requesting monetary payment or returned favors, without murmuring or complaining, gave of their time and efforts and turned a potentially expensive and possibly dangerous situation into a display of love and service.
So many tender mercies, blessings from Heavenly Father through His children during an otherwise stormy situation. God is good!
