People Say They Want A Miracle, But Do They Recognize Same When It Happens? – Sunday Thought For The Day

The length of time we’ve been walking with the Lord isn’t always consistent with our spiritual situation awareness.  Friday evening two weeks ago on the way to church, my wife and I experienced the beginning of just such an experience.

It started with us driving the approximately hour and fifteen minutes to church on a driver’s side front flat tire completely unaware.  This was an ordinary all weather tire, not a run-flat tire.  We drove the 76 miles each way without a wobble, shimmy or vibration of any kind; we were clueless.

The following day she and I left the house midday to run errands.  As I pulled away from the house, for a scant moment the car felt funny; but there was still no noise, shimmy, vibration, swaying or anything to indicate we had a flat tire.  And, by the time we had driven past our neighbor’s property, there was no sensation and still no steering difficulty with the car.

We took the highway several miles to our first stop. The parking lot at that store was filled to overflowing.

At that point my plan, at least I thought it was my plan at that time, was to drive around the parking lot a couple times until a spot became available near the doors.  Mind you, we’re still riding on a flat tire that gave no indication of being flat.

I lapped the parking looking/waiting for parking space near the door no fewer than 7 times!  Three times a spot opened near the door and another driver got it first.  Finally, I muttered, Lord I’m going to park in front of the store, let my wife stay with the car and I’ll run in and grab the three items we needed.

I had yet to exit our car, still unaware of the flat tire, as a group of several women exited their parked vehicle and started walking in our direction.  As they walked toward us, I wasn’t able to make out what they were saying, but I was positive whatever they were saying was about me/us.

The older of the women walked with a cane and fashion jeans that I concluded weren’t complimentary for a woman her age and body style.  So there I was, watching these women and specifically the older woman, watching me watch them, as it became clear they were talking about me.  Finally, the older woman made clear to the other women that she was going to approach me.

I was waiting for the women to pass by before I got out of our car.  The older women haltingly approached our car, stopping several feet from the car.  I lowered my window, not knowing what to expect and the woman said: “Excuse me Mister; do you know you have a flat tire?”  I answered that I had no idea, smiled and graciously thanked her.  At that point she and the women with her smiled and went into the store.

Now, you may be inclined to think I shouldn’t have judged a book by the cover and you’d be correct.  But, it was more than that.  How many of you have driven 76 miles each way the night before and another several miles the next day on a flat tire with no indication that it was flat?

My wife and I concluded the tire had been damaged when I ran over an object in the road just as we were leaving for church the evening before.  We had prayed that no damage was done and that we would make it to church and back safely.  I didn’t check the tire, because it gave no indication of being damaged whatsoever.

While waiting for the service truck to arrive from our roadside service company, my wife and I marveled as it became clear what God had done.

I’ve shared this account several times; sharing, not so much the miracle of driving on a flat tire, but sharing what God had reminded me about in no uncertain terms.  The timing of God was/is impeccable and always perfectly on time.  But, instead of looking at how the older lady was dressed, I should have been focused upon praying for her leg as she limped with her cane.  I was reminded that Jesus had mercy on those with maladies such as hers.  He didn’t focus upon the dress as I had done.

The timing of my parking when I did was God’s perfect timing.  I could have parked anywhere, and certainly anyone could have told me we had a flat tire.  But, God wanted me to interact with that woman.  She was the helping angel God used to bless my wife and I.  We’ve become the intercessory prayer team, praying for the woman I wouldn’t recognize if I were to see her again.

I pray our experience encourages you to pray for people before you think critically of them.  Prayer costs us nothing and we never know how God will use our prayers to the benefit of gospel we proclaim.  And it is possible you might be experiencing a miracle unaware.

READ:

John 5:5-16 (KJV)