Well, almost.
It was time for Allison to start driving and to fill up. I whipped out my iPhone and got GasBuddy cranking as we were rolling into Beaumont. It pulled up some stations, most of which reported $3.68. I zeroed in on the station that said $3.29.
As we arrived at the sketchy looking "Beaumont food mart and gas" the parking lot was empty. Allison went in to get iced coffee and give the attendant $40. I'm out at the pump the whole time waiting for it to start. It beeps, I mash the CHEAP GAS button and start fueling.
$3.29 can you believe it? In the time it takes to open the tank, pop the nozzle in and select the grade I'm leaning against our Honda Accord. Granted it's late in the day, I've been driving for 280 miles and the parking lot is empty because this station is a few miles off I-10. The pump stops @ $20.00. Incredulous, I squeeze the nozzle again trying to pump more gas but nothing happens. I leave the nozzle in my tank and walk inside.
I thought "This guy is trying to stiff me because he's got the cheapest gas in town and we pay cash!!"
"Hey, excuse me" I say in a tough, no contest voice. No one. Clearly this clerk is going to hide out in the back and then pretend like nothing happened. I see Allison in the back of the store picking out her drink.
"Allison, did you give him 20 or 40 dollars?"
"40. Why?"
"He only gave me 20; now he's disappeared" I say, becoming more frustrated.
"He's right behind you" she says in a quieter voice.
Turning around there is a slightly overweight middle-aged gas attendant stocking some snacks. Looking completely oblivious.
"You only gave me twenty dollars of gas" I said firmly, "she gave you forty".
He walked to his terminal and started hitting some buttons.
No contest, protest, or procrastination. This guy honestly made a mistake and then he fixed it. I walked back to the car and finished filling up.
So I learned something about myself today. I am still human, and just a minute away from acting in the flesh. I just had the most refreshing week of Christian speaking and one on one fellowship with several brothers, but I could still miss Christ in a situation not 6 hours later.
I really saw, "God is Spirit (pnuema)" in John 4:24, He is air. Meant to be breathed in. I can't say, "oh, I've been breathing all week so I don't need to breathe after the conference". That is ridiculous. I need the Lord moment by moment. Lord, I need you right now.
I'll keep breathing,
- BE
Location:Ridgeland Ave,Beaumont,United States
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