The Good Samaritans

Greetings!

Yesterday we were stuck in a gas station.  We could not start the car after we filled up the gas.

About 3 months ago, we had a similar incident in the parking lot of a store.  After shopping for groceries, we could not start our car.  The insurance company sent someone out to jump start the car, but it didn't work.  It took another hour for a tow truck to come out.  Our car was towed to an auto shop.  A couple of days later, we were relieved to learn everything had checked out to be fine, and all we needed was a new battery.

With a new battery, we did not expect this to happen again so soon, but I supposed what happened was pretty much part of life.  No matter we expected it of not, things simply unfolded and called for our attention.  

Seeing what happened, a young man who was getting gas in the next lane came to help us.  He spent quite some time looking into the possibilities of the problem, but could not make the car start.  He helped pushing our car to the side.  Before he left, he said he was sorry he could not help us.  We thanked him for he had already helped the best he could.  His willingness to help had already made our day.

What happened reminded me of an exceptional good Samaritan whom we met in 2007.  That day he went out of his way to help us to the best that he could.

Before we moved to another state in 2007, we went to see a relative to say goodbye.  He lived in a city which was about an hour away from where we lived.  While we talked, we told him we wanted to bring our car to an auto repair shop for a complete inspection before the long drive to another state.  Immediately, he recommended the auto shop next to his business.  He knew them well.  He was sure they could do a good job.  After the inspection, we agreed to the works they recommended.  When the work was done, they assured us that our car was now in sound condition to go long distance.

Two days later, we went to the post office to mail some letters.  When we came out of the post office, my husband could not start the car.  We had AAA car insurance, but we knew it took an hour or more for a tow truck to come.  Furthermore, the auto shop was much farther away than what was covered by the insurance.  Therefore, my husband wished someone could jump start the car so that we could drive over there by ourselves.

It was a hot, hot summer day.  Understandably, many people walked past, and nobody seemed to want to help.  Then a car parked next to ours.  A man rushed inside the post office.  When he came out, he looked at us.  The hood of our car was up.  He came over to see if he could help.  He told us the battery was empty, and we needed a new one.  Knowing we had AAA insurance, he said, "Call AAA.  They will come with a new battery.  They will install it for you."

We thanked him.  As he was walking back to his car, he changed his mind.  He offered to drive us to an auto parts store to buy a new battery.  He said it would be cheaper to install it ourselves instead of having AAA did that.  "It is very easy (to install a battery)," he said.  "Besides, you will get $8 back when you bring the old battery to the store where you purchase a new one."

When he learned we had never installed a battery before, he drove us to the store.  Then he drove to his house, and came out with a tool box.  Under the hot sun, he removed the old battery and installed the new one.  When it was done, his face was covered with sweat, and his shirt was wet.

We started the car, and found out the radio and other parts of the car had some problems.  He checked the car again.  He told us the possible cause of the problem.  He said we should bring the car back to the auto shop where the work was done.  He assured us it was safe for us to drive to the auto shop.  Then he left.  He would not accept anything in return.

"May I know your name?" I asked.  He said he was Eric.  

Later at the auto shop, they checked our car again.  They admitted the mechanic must have accidentally break something while fixing a part of the car.  They replaced some fuses and fixed the problem.

Looking back, the angels and guides were really watching over us.  Earlier, the auto shop had assured us that the car was good for the long drive.  However, the Divine let us know it was not.  It could be very stressful if our car broke down on the highway instead of parking lots.  Guides and angels, thank you.

I dedicate this post to all the good Samaritans such as Eric and the young man at the gas station.  As I mention, goodwill and good deeds never go unnoticed by the loving Divine. Though they ask for nothing in return, the good they do will return to them tenfold.  So it is.

With gratitude and love,
Q of D