Dad, Help!

Posted bymusingsofmanettekayPosted inChristian Living, Devotional, Memoir, PrayerTags:, , , , , , ,

This week, I had an appointment that was a three-hour drive from home. I packed an overnight bag, uncertain if I would make the return trip back on the same day. Then loaded it and my dogs in the car. Because my tank was half empty, I knew I would need to stop for fuel on my excursion.

To stay alert and stretch my legs, I require frequent stops on trips so the gas level was of no concern. I would meander through plenty of rural towns before reaching my destination. The day started with a light morning fog, but shortly, it gave way to glorious sunshine making it a beautiful drive.

At the halfway point, I pulled into a gas station to fill up my tank. I reached for my purse but discovered it was nowhere in the vehicle. Shock rattled my senses as I became aware I didn’t have any means to purchase gas—no cash (except the loose coins in the center console), no checkbook, credit card, or debit card. I didn’t even have my driver’s license! All were in my purse at home.

My mind raced as I started counting the coins. In irritation, I said, “That’s stupid. There’s little more than a gallon at best.” I quit the futile counting, knowing I was stranded. I didn’t have enough fuel to go back home or enough to get to my destination.

‘This is bad, what are you going to do?’ Fear, panic, and stress tried to overwhelm my brain.

In desperation, I called Dad and told him my plight. Hearing his voice, provided relief, “Dad, I’m in a pinch. I need help. If the station will take your credit card over the phone, will you fill my tank? I’ll pay you back.” His affirmation and assurance offered calm to my hopeless situation.

I entered the station with renewed hope, explained my circumstance, and asked the cashier if he would accept payment from my dad over the phone, “We don’t do that. We’ve never done that. I’d need to ask the manager.”

“Please ask, I’m stuck if you won’t do this.” In an appeal for empathy, I added, “I’m on my way to a doctor’s appointment. Without fuel, I won’t make it, but I can’t make it home either.” The manager appeared and restated what the cashier had said. I retold my situation, and she softened and worked with me. Once on the road again, I was filled with gratitude and relief.

The averted crisis gave room for reflection. Here is what I took away:

• When helpless, cry out to the Heavenly Father.
• When I call upon the LORD, he answers.
• Hearing God’s voice renews hope.
• God’s affirmation and assurance provide calm in the midst of life stress.
• In hopeless situations, God can get me back on the road.

Dear Reader, are you confident of the LORD’s rescue? Do you trust He will answer if you call out to Him? The Scriptures are full of people who called to the LORD in their time of need and God rescued them.

“I called to the LORD in my distress, and I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears” (Psalm 18:6, CSB).

“Call on me in a day of trouble; I will rescue you, and you will honor me” (Psalm 50:15, CSB).

“I love the LORD because he has heard my appeal for mercy. Because he has turned his ear to me, I will call out to him as long as I live” (Psalm 116:1-2, CSB).

“I called on your name, LORD, from deep within the pit. You heard me when I cried, ‘Listen to my pleading! Hear my cry for help!’ Yes, you came when I called; you told me, ‘Do not fear’ ” (Lamentations 3:55-57, NLT).

Prayer:
Dear Father God, thank You for providing help when I call out to You. Thank You for loving me and renewing hope when it is slipping away. You are gracious and benevolent to Your children. Your kindness is undeserved. Let Your name be praised forever more. Amen.

P.S. I want to give a shout-out recommendation for another great Dad story. Gary Fultz, the author of the blog “God’s Ways are Different” has a post titled “Green Rivers” worth checking out. Click the link for a blessed read.

Author Bio
I am a follower of Jesus Christ, grandmother, great-grandmother, foster care parent, and trauma survivor. I enjoy sipping tea, writing devotionals, prayers, short stories, and unburdening my heart to the Lord. Check the About page if you want to read more of my story.

Would you like to know more about the afterlife and how you can be assured of eternity in Heaven? Check the Questions page.

Check the Free Gifts page for downloadable/printable study guides and resources.

Copyright © 2020-2023 Musings of Manette Kay™ All rights reserved. Requests to the author and publisher, Manette Kay, for permission.

Kermit on the phone image by Alexa from Pixabay.

Published by musingsofmanettekay

Sharing bits of memoir in the format of devotionals, prayers, short stories, and occasionally a poem.

19 thoughts on “Dad, Help!”

  1. My goodness Manette that certainly was a tight spot indeed, thank goodness your dad was able to help over the phone. But also praise God for being with you in the moment of need, and softening the heart of the manager. I have been in a similar situation filling my trolley with groceries only to find out I had left my wallet at home, which were boxed by the store for me to pick up later, another manager having compassion too. But in all things we are truly blessed by our Heavenly Father, sometimes unexpectedly.
    May He continue to guide and bless you dear sister. 🙏

    Liked by 3 people

    1. I was so relieved to hear Dad answer, fearing he may be busy or not available at the moment. The fact he was, made it all the more a parallel representation of my Heavenly Father. The God of Heaven is available 24/7, we can cry out to Him day or night.

      Alan, your story is similar. Thanks for sharing. Yehovah bless you.

      Liked by 2 people

  2. I know many of us can relate to your story Manette and what an illustration. I remember getting calls (mostly from my oldest daughter). An engine blew in the desert with not much money to get a new one several states away. I believe God smiles and makes it an adventure sometimes.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Gary, I agree God does give us adventures. As long as we don’t cave into fear and trust Him.

      I’m sending that manager a hand written thank you with a gospel tract included. Maybe the other side of eternity there will be other chapters to the adventure. Yehovah bless you.

      Liked by 3 people

  3. What a powerful story of God’s provision! In Bible story after Bible story, He always shows up when needed. And it’s often after folks have exhausted all their resources. Great post, Manette Kay! God Bless.

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Wow Manette that sure was a difficult situation. I was thinking that it was so good that your phone was not in your handbag, so you could call your dad. Then your dad was available to answer your call right away and the manager to have compassion on your situation.
    God did make a way and was he answered when you called. Amen 🙏🏽
    God bless you.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Manu, I’m glad my phone wasn’t in my bag too, that’s a scary thought. I had it out because I was using it for travel navigation.

      God gives me the best lessons from experience. For the first portion of my drive I had been praying what I should write. The story was clear after this happened. Yehovah bless you.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Pingback: Green Rivers – Gods Ways are…Different

  6. I hope you do not mind Manette. I used this post as sort of a spring board and put a link to this post. You have already read it, like it, but I posted it 10 years ago originally. It just fits so well with this post. It’s posted on my devotional site God’s ways are different

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks, Jo, He is indeed good and in Christ it always works out. It may not be the means or way we expected but it will be for the Father’s glory. The main point I hoped to relate is that people can always call on the name of the LORD. Yehovah bless you.

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Manette, I love the lesson you have given us from your experience. (I’ll admit to holding my breath a bit as read on to learn of the manager’s final decision). My favorite take away you listed was “Hope is renewed when I hear God’s voice.” Reading that brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for a wonderful post.

    Liked by 1 person

  10. I can imagine how your heart must have pounded as you approached the cashier. Praise God for the way he engineered circumstances for you, to overcome that problematic and stressful circumstance! He’s rescued me from some impossible-looking situations too. Our Father is SO very good!

    Liked by 1 person

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