Mission work is an important part of the church where my family is a member. Last week my husband, Jerry, was asked to take the Associational Disaster Shower Trailer to a small church in Northwest Arkansas. There, it would be used by workers constructing a mission for the church.

This trailer is about 30 feet long and is pulled by a ton extended cab pickup. Needless to say, the gas mileage is not very good. My husband thought he could make it to a town about ten miles further down the interstate, but the truck suddenly came to a standstill and he realized he was out of gas.

Before he and his friend, Don, who was making the trip with him, could even think about what to do next, a vehicle pulled up fairly close to them. The gentleman in the van had seen the Disaster Relief Shower signs on the trailer and wanted to know if he could help them.

After Jerry produced a can, Don made the trip with the gentleman to get gas. On the short trip Don discovered their highway helper was a minister himself. He insisted on paying for the gas because he wanted to be a small part of the mission ministry of the Disaster Shower Trailer.

After returning with the gas and getting the truck started their new found friend asked if he could pray for them and the rest of their mission journey. Then Jerry and Don went on their way thanking God for this divine appointment with a pastor from many miles away in Ohio. A man who was sharing the fruit of his salvation and doing a good thing in Jesus sight.

When you are met with a sudden need from a friend or family or perhaps someone you have never met, do you find yourself bringing praise and glory to God by sharing your character traits flowing from a right relationship to God?

Out of Gas could have meant a long wait on a day when the temperature exceeded 100 degrees. Instead two men on a mission journey were the recipients of the fruit of righteousness from a pastor on vacation. This definitely brought much praise and glory to God.

Melva Cooper, Copyright 2005
Used with permission.