If you missed earlier posts, and desire to read them, click below.
Introduction “From Mishaps to Mission”
Part 1 “The Journey Begins With Surprises”
Part 2 “Double Trouble”
Part 3 “Out of my Comfort Zone”
Ready to Serve
Fidgety and frustrated from arriving to chaos, Steve scurried to the bus counter. “I thought my connecting bus was supposed to be here when I arrived, but I haven’t seen it yet, and I’ve been here thirty minutes.”
“Sir, I’m sorry. Your bus is already full and we’re trying to get another one. We’re working on it right now. All bus lines are rerouting due to the hurricane expected to hit the Carolinas tomorrow.” the man shared while he tapped his finger on the countertop.
Shoulders sagging, Steve slowed his pace as he found a seat near the entrance. He quickly phoned his wife to let her know of his delay and all his crazy encounters.
“I can’t believe all you went through,” Jena replied setting aside her computer keyboard to listen more intently. “I’ll pray your bus comes quickly and things settle down.”
“I’m sure they will. Love you” He then clicked the end button on his phone.
A man with bags under his eyes carrying a duffel bag in one hand approached him. “Would you mind watching my bag?” the tired man inquired.
“Sure,” Steve responded, believing it would help pass the time. A handful of passengers followed suit, catching him a bit off-guard. Staring at the bags surrounding his feet, some with nice phones on top, he began wondering what could be tattooed on his forehead to compel them to do so.
Knowing he could see the luggage at the ticket counter, he hopped over for an update. He learned a bus should arrive by noon. That’s what time I was supposed to arrive at my last destination and be done with this ride, he thought.
He called his wife to let her know the new schedule. Concerned and fearful, Jena tried to suggest other methods for him to travel so he could leave this dangerous place. Imagining what could happen to him made her voice grow weak.
He reassured her, “it’ll be okay. I’m a big boy and God has seen me through this far.”
Hanging up, Steve noticed a man appearing to have a seizure. The man’s lips turned blue. Jumping over the pile of bags to reach him, the man clasp his throat as his face paled. Realizing the man was choking, Steve slipped behind him and performed the heimlich maneuver. A grape skin shot out of his mouth. Steve was grateful it didn’t land on someone’s head.
The gentleman’s color and breathing returned to normal. So Steve jaunted over to continue his luggage-babysitting.
Eagerly awaiting his next bus, he glanced at the time on his phone. Thirty more minutes. His eyelids were growing heavy, so he decided to revisit the bus counter.
Sighing,, the clerk informed him, “Your bus is here, but won’t do you any good. No driver. Dallas has a driver, but no bus. This hurricane is driving us all crazy. All I can say is check back later.”
On his way back, Steve spotted the man who got hit with the iron pipe enter the depot with other passengers. That didn’t take long, Steve mused as he folded his body into his seat behind the luggage pile he was guarding. To his surprise, the injured man perched right across from the growing luggage pile.
Steve returned to his Bible listening as his eyes observed the going-ons out the window, occasionally speaking to passers-by.
Another bus pulled up and a few plucked their bags and filed onto the bus. Returning his gaze indoors, Steve’s eyes stopped on the injured man whose pale face grew as white as a sheet. His eyes were shaking like an earthquake, and his body teetered.
Steve immediately leapt over the luggage to catch the falling man. Any guy who had been hit by an iron pipe in the back of the head definitely didn’t need to flatten his face on the floor, Steve reasoned to himself.
Sweeping him upward, Steve steadied him in an upright position as he spoke, “Be still. Are you okay, or do you want me to call for an ambulance?”
“No! the man shrieked. “They didn’t do anything for me the first time. I just want to get home.”
Security rushed over and repeated the same question. When he refused their assistance, they just looked at Steve. Steve remained quiet a moment before speaking, “I can’t do anything for you physically, but I’d be glad to pray with you.”
“Sounds better than the hospital.”
Steve rested his hand on the man’s shoulder, then prayed. The man’s color immediately returned. He stood up and told Steve, “Think I’ll go get me something to drink,” and walked away as steady as a surgeon’s hand.
I’m back. I just love happy endings, and we’re not finished yet. I know God wants us to be ready to serve, no matter how tired or cranky we are – someone’s life could be depending on it.
From coordinating volunteers in our ministry, I’ve noticed some truly have an inborn ability to serve. It comes natural while others of us have to work hard to develop this skill. Steve is one of those born servants. Please keep that in mind. May we all be more inspired to serve and do the right thing wherever God places us.
If you enjoyed this, please remember to share with others and come back for an even more compelling ending.
QUESTION. Have you been rescued? Have you ever been a rescuer? Please Share your story with us in the comments below. We love hearing from you.
© 2018, Jena Fellers. All rights reserved.
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