A Flat Tire

I was out on my morning walk in my neighborhood when I noticed a man working on his small Toyota truck. I didn’t get a good look at first because I was walking on the opposite side of the street and several parked cars blocked my view. But when I looked again, I realized he was trying to change a flat tire.

At first I just kept on walking. I wasn’t sure if there was anything I could do. I felt bad for him. He was probably going to be late for work. But a few moments later I realized I shouldn’t keep on walking. I should try to help this stranger. I turned around and crossed the street to see what I could do.

He had jacked up the car and was trying to loosen the lug nuts so he could remove the tire. But he wasn’t having much luck. I’ve changed a lot tires over the years and lug nuts can get corroded and hard to remove on older cars. He didn’t speak English and I didn’t speak Chinese but with both understood the problem.

I decided to walk back to my house and see if I could get some tools and a pair of gloves. Roads are dirty and so are tires. But, on my way to my house I realized I could do more. I could call my roadside service provider. I walked back to his truck and offered to call AAA. He agreed we lacked the tools to get the tire off and we needed air for the spare tire.

The AAA serviceman arrived in about 30 minutes. He used a long piece of pipe to extend the tire iron, loosen the lug nuts and remove the tire. My neighbor’s wife came out to see how we were doing. She spoke some English and expressed their appreciation for my help. I really hadn’t done much. Just made a phone call to get some help.

The story of the Good Samaritan is found in Luke 10:25-37. Jesus told the story of a man who was traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho. He was confronted and beaten by robbers. Several people saw the injured man by the side of the road but they didn’t stop to help. They just kept on walking. However, one man did. He went out of his way to help the injured stranger. There are a lot more details in the story that you can read for yourself. Honestly, I think I am more like those who kept on walking. I don’t know what prompted me to stop.

I think we all face unexpected situations in life. Do we see them as interruptions or opportunities? Do we stop and help or do we keep on walking? Let me encourage you to watch for an unexpected opportunity to stop and help someone this week. You will be glad you did and they will too.

About two weeks later, a stranger came to our house. I didn’t recognize the woman with her mask on but she explained in broken English that she was the wife of the man with the flat tire. I had met her briefly that morning but I didn’t recognize her in the dark. I don’t know how she knew where I lived but she brought me a tasty gift to express their thanks for my help. I feel like I have made some new friends in our neighborhood and it all started with a flat tire!

You can read 365 more stories and articles – one for every day of the year – in Mark’s book Let Me Encourage You. On sale now – 2 books for $30 plus postage. Order a copy for yourself and a give a gift to a friend at markh@efreedb.org.