Many years ago during the very first days I had quit drinking, I joined a support group for help. They initially suggested that I not allow myself to get too hungry, angry, lonely, or tired (remembered as the acronym, HALT — also advice given to parents of small children).
After a card game at their club house I stepped outside to collect my thoughts and to try to calm those first day ‘jitters’. I was trying to decide whether to address my hunger at a burger joint up the street or go back inside and sooth my lonelines….
I then tried the support group’s further advice and said a quick prayer, “God, I really don’t know what to do right now. Help me out, will you?”
Not more than five seconds after my hungry plea to God, I heard a “flump-flump-flump.” A young woman pulled across the street with a flat tire. I looked back up to God and said, “You want me to change a tire? Okay…I guess.”
While changing the tire I was still faced with my immediate personal dilemma. I’m hungry but I don’t want to leave the comfort and safety of the group. Way too soon the tire was fixed.
The young lady then said to me, “Listen, I don’t have any money but I feel like you deserve something for helping me out.”
I replied, “Oh no, it was no bother. It’s done already, glad to help.” I didn’t get into God’s strange reply to my prayer.
But then she surprised me, “I got no money, but here…I do have a cheeseburger you can have.”
Thank you God!
Michael Kannon
Winnipeg Canada
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The Good News Network wishes all of you the blessing of the burgers — translation: ask and it is given — throughout this winter season. Thanks so much to Michael for his “Small World Story”.