“Shortcut” Creates Opportunity to Help

In my family, it's an ongoing joke about how many people's cars break down right in front of my house.  We help push cars to the side of the road, into my driveway, or direct traffic for accidents at an average of almost once per year. But what happened Friday was a bit extraordinary.

Friday, my daughter, my sister and I were on our way to a store across town. Because of the heavy flow of traffic on the main streets, we decided to save a little time and take a shortcut.  When we got onto the side road, we came upon a disabled vehicle with a female driver. We started to just go around the car and continue on our way so we could do what we needed and I could still rest before going to work Friday night. Instead, I looked at my sister; and we knew what we had to do.

We asked the lady if everything was ok and if she needed any help.  She stated that her transmission had locked as she was on her way to work, and she simply asked if she could use a phone to call her family for assistance.  So, we let her use the phone. Eventually, she got in touch with someone who said they'd contact one of her children to let them know what was going on.  Although she anticipated help, we still offered her a ride and took her home.

I don't know who the lady was, and we never told her our names. But what I do know is that I'm glad we were in a position to help and that we didn't just ride past her.  It may have extended our trip when we were deliberately trying to go a shorter route, but at any moment, this could have been my mother, a family member, a friend, or even myself. So, planting that small seed was worth it.  It's a shame that we live in a day and time where offering a perceived needed help is now risky to one's well-being, but it's even more a joy in knowing that there is no risk when listening to that small, still voice that'll never lead us wrong.