“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ…” Gal 6:2

I put my bag of groceries in the passenger seat and walked around the car. I placed the key in the ignition, turned it, and…nothing. I turned the key off, but it didn’t want to come out. I turned it to the on position again, and still nothing. I took the key out this time, and the radio came on, startling me. On the verge of panic, I took a deep breath and called my dad, who was over 100 miles away.

I explained what had happened. “What do I do?” I asked.

“Call AAA,” he said.

I was only two blocks from my house, so I took my bag of groceries and headed home. Thankfully, this had happened on one of the coolest days we’d had all week. The temperature was only in the low 80s, so even though it was hot, it wasn’t a scorcher like the 100+ day before had been.

After I put my groceries away, I called AAA, arranged the tow truck, and walked back to the store. The tow truck arrived a short time later. He jump started the car, but the gear shift was stuck. When he got the gear shift to move, he couldn’t get the key out of the ignition. He towed it to the repair shop, where they looked at it and told me they thought they knew what was wrong: it was the electrical system. I would have to take it to the dealer to be fixed.

I drove the car home and, at the suggestion of a friend, backed my car into the carport in case it died again. Since I couldn’t get the key out, I removed the key fob to lock the car, not realizing that when the battery died, I wouldn’t be able to unlock the car. Sure enough, the battery drained overnight, locking the key in the car. I called AAA again, and a different service tech came out, unlocked the car, and jump started it for me. I drove it to the dealership, where I was told to expect a hefty bill to replace the electrical system. Oh, and I needed new brakes and a fuel filter, too.

Since the repair was going to take a couple of days, a friend picked me up and took me home from the dealership. Another friend offered to loan me his old truck, and another friend took me back to pick up the car when it was fixed.

Throughout this process, I could feel God with me. It may sound strange, but I know that is why I didn’t panic. In the past, every time my car has broken down and left me stranded somewhere, I have panicked. I was humbled and amazed by the number of people who offered to help me.

Later, I found out that one of my friends was praying for me all week. I am constantly amazed at how the Lord sends people to us at just the right time. He provided people to help me through this. I’m so thankful for those who have stepped into the gap, and I pray that I will be able to do the same for someone else.

Dear Jesus, thank you for sending friends to support me and help me through a stressful situation. You always know just what I need when I need it. Amen.