Three Good Samaritans

It was just “one of those days” for Kaye. The so-called “Murphy’s Law” (if anything can go wrong, it will) seemed to be in full swing. Later, she contacted our Pastoral Department with a special praise for the way the Lord turned things around.

“I hadn’t been feeling well for some time,” she began, “and after several blood tests and a physical exam, my doctor scheduled an ultrasound on my thyroid.

“When I arrived at the hospital, the parking garage was completely full—not one spot was open. I drove around and around—worried I would be late for my procedure. Finally, a car was backing out, but as I waited to nab the spot, I noticed an emergency light flashing on my dashboard—‘Check Your Battery.’ I wasn’t worried. My car had always been reliable.”

Ignoring the warning, she parked and rushed to the radiology registration area. Following the procedure, she returned to her vehicle, and—wouldn’t you know it?—the battery was deader than a doornail.

“I was so thankful my phone was charged, and I could simply call the front desk to explain my situation rather than trudging all the way back inside. A guy from their maintenance department showed up, boosted my battery, and I was off and running. Well, at least until I reached a red stop light about a mile from the hospital.”

Yep, idling at the traffic light, the battery died again. It was pouring rain and very cold, so Kaye remained in her car and called the police. A police tow truck soon arrived, moved her vehicle to the side of the road, and took her as far as a nearby service station.

“I felt miserable, but wasn’t worried because I have roadside assistance service through my insurance,” she said. “So I called, and they ordered a tow truck, but said the service didn’t allow passengers to ride with them. I’d have to find a ride to my home—nearly 30 miles away.”

Still Kaye was not discouraged. She sought the Lord for help and called a church member she knew worked at the same hospital she had just left. Praise God, her brother-in-Christ answered, saying he had gotten off work early and was still in the parking lot. Within minutes, he arrived at the service station and together they waited in his car for the tow truck to arrive.

“Our conversation was lively at first, but began to diminish as the minutes ticked into hours. We waited and waited. Three hours later, the tow truck company called.”

A man with a rather brusque voice said, “Hey, lady, I’m sorry, but we’ve had too many calls tonight. We won’t be able to help you.”

Kay quickly called her insurance company again. The representative explained that one of their two tow trucks was damaged by a hit-and-run driver, and the second truck was out of service. They called yet another company and Kaye and her faithful friend from church continued to wait for the arrival of the rescue vehicle.

Finally, after 9:00 p.m., the truck arrived. Kay and her church brother said simultaneously, “Thank You, Lord!”

“I felt so badly about inconveniencing my friend from church for so long,” Kaye said. “It was late and he had to get up early the next day for work. If he had to drive me home, the round-trip to get back to his house would have delayed him yet another hour or more. So I asked the tow-truck driver if he could allow me to ride with him, instead, and he graciously agreed.”

On the way home, with her car in tow, the driver told her he had five more days of fasting for Ramadan, explaining that Muslims keep the religious holiday by fasting for a month. No food or drink—even water—each day until sundown. He had finished his fast for the day and was celebrating his fifth wedding anniversary with his wife when he received the service call to help Kaye. His comments opened the conversation for discussion of spiritual matters, so she shared that she often sent out spiritually encouraging text messages to friends.

“When we finally arrived at my house, he put my car in the garage.” Kaye added,
“and I was impressed to offer him the book, The Great Controversy, as a gift. He was very interested and asked me to sign it. He was so happy.”

“I thank you for this book,” he had said appreciatively. “I will read it. Let me put my phone number in your contacts, and if you ever need anything, just call me. I will come to help you. And I would be very much happy to be included in your text messages, if it isn’t too much trouble for you.”

Bubbling with enthusiasm as she recounted the events to me, Kaye concluded, “God is so good. Although it was after 10:00 p.m. when I arrived home, it was worth the wait for the very person God wanted me to meet. My car and I arrived safely, and I had a chance to minister to this special man. And I intend to continue ministering to him by text. God is so good—He is concerned for this precious soul.”

Her adventure reminds me in some way of the story of the Good Samaritan found in Luke 10:30–37. But I’m not sure who I would cast in the role of the compassionate Samaritan. It seems God sent three people to the rescue that day, all of whom demonstrated hearts filled with tenderness toward their fellow human beings. The church friend selflessly provided Kaye comfort, companionship, and shelter in the storm while they waited for a tow-truck. Kaye and the Muslim truck driver reached out offering brotherly love and compassionate friendship to each other.

All I know is that God can take tender hearts and work all things together for their eternal benefit. He is our refuge and strength—a very present help in times of trouble! (Psalm 46:1).