You know that moment when your “check engine” light goes on during a 3,000 mile trek across the country and you are in the middle of Kansas?
Now I do.
On Day 4 of a thirteen-day whirlwind trip, 1,700 miles in, this warning light flashed LOUD and CLEAR! Slight panic coursed through my veins as we were supposed to be picking up my daughter’s friend at the Denver Airport at 6 pm and there were 7 more hours to go and the time read 10 am.
With tears leaking out the corner of my eyes and fear beginning to creep slowly, I made a phone call to a random mechanic that Google Maps said was “along the route.”
You know what happened? KINDNESS answered the phone!
KINDNESS in the form of a young man (maybe 20 years old) who works at J & R Automotive in Junction City, Kansas.
KINDNESS in his voice that he would take care of us and run a diagnostic test for FREE.
KINDNESS as he called back and asked the make, model and year of the car so he would be able to take care of us immediately as we arrived only 20 minutes later.
KINDNESS as greeted us and asked if we needed something to drink.
KINDNESS as he spoke about what was wrong and how they could fix it in the next three to four hours.
KINDNESS as he called for the part and assured us it would be here within minutes from the local parts store and he would NOT charge a mark up.
KINDNESS as he offered to drive us to the local library where there is free WiFi and air conditioning.
KINDNESS as he did EVERYTHING he could to get us on our way again.
You know what happened? THAT PANIC, THAT FEAR, that feeling of “who is going to help two women traveling alone in the middle of nowhere?” is gone! My heart is resting in peace. My Word of the Year, Shalom, is reigning in the middle of the mess.
All because of this young man. And his KINDNESS.
One more aside! Praise music blasted in the background as the mechanics worked on the car.
God knew exactly what I would need. I didn’t need to go to the Wizard of Oz Museum in Kansas. I needed KINDNESS.
“Clothe yourselves with kindness.” Colossians 3:12
The Dolly Mama 
…although the Wizard of Oz Museum sounds pretty rad—
What a huge blessing that young man was!
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Believe me! I wanted to go
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