I Failed the test but Passed the Make Up Exam.

There I was, faced with a decision of whether to help or not help and I chose “not”. I was eating lunch in Albany and needed to get to Salem by 1:15. I looked at my watch as I headed out the door and it read 1:00. I’m probably 20 miles from my next meeting. As I get to my car a guy sitting in his beat-up red Toyota Pickup gets out and says, “Hey can you help me by giving my car a jump?”

At that moment my mind starts to whirl. I know I should, I know if I were him I’d want someone parked right next to me, our car batteries only inches from each other, to simply take the time to help me out. I looked at the guy and said, in a really nice voice, I’m sorry I can’t I have a meeting to get to in Salem.”

I jumped in my car and took off. I drove for about a mile. The whole time I’m thinking that was a really bad thing to do. I kept digging around in my excuse file that’s actually quite well developed in my brain for reasons to back up my decision. There were plenty to choose from. I had to be at this meeting on time. I couldn’t be late. Hey, I was meeting a very important person about a very important project and could not be late.

As I started to pass Home Depot (no significance just a land mark) I slammed on the break, turned my car around, and went back to the guy in the red truck. He was still sitting there as If he knew I’d be back. I said to him I just couldn’t do it. I need to help you. He smiled, helped me find the latch to open my hood (not something I do all that often) and within five minutes I was on my way.

I was about 10 minutes late to my meeting. I explained to the guy I was meeting with what happened to which he replied, “you did the right thing.”  I wish I did the right thing more often. I wish I could hear God more clearly when those really difficult moments arise and those voices lie to me and say it’s okay when I know it’s not.

I failed the test but passed the make up exam, this time.

3 Comments

• 
  Jake Ray October 29, 2009 at 7:12 am

  Thanks for that bro. I know your busy but I would love to get together for lunch again sometime soon if your open!
• 
  Denise DeHart October 29, 2009 at 9:47 am

  Rick you are a good person, we all might need a little help sometime in our busy life. We all should pay it forward!
• 
  Denise DeHart October 29, 2009 at 11:47 am

  Rick you are a good person, we all might need a little help sometime in our busy life. We all should pay it forward!