75.9
I usually look forward to the two weeks I get off for Christmas holidays as a
perfect time to get caught up on my many not-so-routine tasks that I would
otherwise have no time to accomplish. Sometimes these non-so-routine tasks are
also non-so-pleasant. Like, for example, that routine trip to the dentist . . .
That's where my two boys and I were headed when I noticed the gas station off to
my left. I had been engaged in contemplating the "joys" of sitting with my jaw
stretched to its maximum while someone worked in my mouth for 60 minutes, and if
I had been alone, I would probably have continued my little "pity party" and not
given the gas station any further thought. After all, this wasn't where I
generally buy gas! But I was forced to push aside my morbid thoughts when my son
cried out: "Look papa! Gas has jumped 6.4 cents a liter!" (For those in the
US,
that's about 25 cents a gallon!)
I couldn't believe my eyes. Just yesterday gas was still 69.5 cents per liter,
but now it was 75.9! I had been planning on stopping on my way home from the
dentist to fill not only my van, but also several gas cans. How could it have
jumped 6.4 cents in just one day??? "I should have filled up yesterday," I
muttered angrily. I'm sure that the much "anticipated" dentist visit wasn't
helping my mood in the least.
But then, to our right, we passed another gas station, and its prices were still
the same as yesterday. I momentarily pondered stopping then and there to fill
up, for once prices at one station in this town begin to go up, every other
station is usually only moments behind. Besides, buying gas now would delay my
dentist visit by at least 15 minutes . . .
But as I was getting ready to pull off the road, I heard God's voice whispering
to me: "Go to the dentist!"
"But," I started to complain. "The prices will have gone up by the time I
leave!"
"Don't make them wait for you. Just trust Me."
As I contemplated this, I felt peace filling my heart, and with just one last
wistful glance at the only thing that now stood between me and the dreaded
dentist's chair, I passed the gas station.
As expected, my visit stretched my jaw muscles to new limits. The dental
hygienist was friendly, however, and that, along with the realization that I
wouldn't have to worry about my teeth again for several more months, helped to
dampen the pain somewhat. Nonetheless, I was happy enough to drive away from my
place of torment. But when we arrived back at the gas station we had seen on our
way, the price had already jumped to 75.9 cents per liter!
"But, but..." Needless to say, my tone was somewhat less than joyful. "Didn't
You tell me that the price would still be the same when I left the dentist's
office?"
His response was annoying: "Just trust Me. This isn't where you usually buy
gas!"
I didn't have much faith, but I obediently drove to the gas station I usually
use. Sure enough, the price was still marked 69.5 cents! THANK YOU LORD!
Unfortunately however, I wasn't the only one who had driven across town to buy
gas where it was still cheaper! A long line of cars strung out across the
parking lot. The price would surely jump up long before I reached the pump!
"Trust me!"
I didn't have much choice, did I? In between drumming my fingers on the steering
wheel, I tried to engage my boys in a conversation of sorts, but it didn't help
much. Their responses went like this:
"Boy that car is sure slow!"
"I don't think we will make it, Papa. We have been waiting in line for twenty
minutes already."
We did make it, however, and as I slid my credit card in the slot and started
pumping gas, I began praising God that He even cared about the price I paid for
gas. But why had I doubted this? Hadn't God given me the reassurance I needed?
The announcement came before I had pumped even 10 liters of gas: "We apologize
for all of you waiting in line, but the price of gas is about to change."
Sure enough, before our eyes, the numbers on the electronic sign jumped to 75.9
cents per liter! But I was locked in at 69.5 cents! Boy was I glad that I had
all those gas cans with me!
Why do I spend so much time worrying? Jesus Himself told us not to! Matthew 6:
25-34: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or
drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than
food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air;
they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father
feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can
add a single hour to his life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the
lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not
even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how
God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown
into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do
not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall
we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father
knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and
all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about
tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of
its own." NIV
When God speaks, you can be assured that what He promises will come to pass!
Circumstances may seem to contradict His promises, but His Word will not fail.
If we are more important to God than the lilies in the valley or sparrows in the
air, we have nothing to fear. Not with a friend like God.
Let's place all of our worries at the feet of our Maker so that instead of
worrying, we can be blessed by His constant fellowship. Worry won't solve our
problems, but God sure will. Jesus promised: Mat 11:28 "Come to me, all you who
are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
The next time you go to a gas station to find the prices have hiked 6.4 cents a
liter, remember you have a friend in Jesus!
Rob Chaffart