“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)

Thump, thump, thump! Her car was handling like a tank as she pulled to the shoulder of the road. Stepping into the cold rain, Leann stared helplessly at the rear tire. The belts that had been showing for weeks had finally given way. It couldn’t have happened at a worse time.

She had worked late and left the kids with the babysitter a little while longer. Christmas was coming and her three kids were hoping Santa wouldn’t forget them. Little did they know Santa had just had a blowout. The extra money she’d made working overtime was gone with the wind when the tire blew out. She could do nothing but cry and pray as she stood helplessly on the roadside in the cold dark rain. 

“Lord, why this and why now? I’m trying to raise my kids right and keep them fed and in church. I’m doing everything I can do.” Since their dad died in combat two years before, Leann had struggled to be both mom and dad. Now, cold, soaked, and alone, she was on the verge of giving up as she saw headlights come around the curve.

Brian Black pulled his rollback to a stop in front of her car. “Ms. Leann,” he said, “I’m no knight in shining armor, but I am a flunkie with a rollback. How about you get up in my truck while I load your car and I’ll take you home?”  

“Thank you, Brian! I need to call the babysitter and let her know how late I’ll be.”  

“There’s no need for that,” Brian replied. “We’ll swing by and get the kids on the way. They’d probably like riding in my truck. I’ll even put the car seats in the back seat.”

One long hour later and in dry clothes at last, Leann got the kids in bed and collapsed in her chair. Suddenly the door flung open! “Whew, that rain’s not letting up, but I got your tire changed.”  

“How much do I owe you, Brian?” she asked.  

“Well, if you can afford a cup of coffee, we’ll call it even, Ms. Leann.”

Moments later, as she watched the taillights fade in the distance, she thought about her night. She’d only seen Brian a few times at church but hadn’t spoken much more than hello. Yet, this caring stranger had come out of nowhere to rescue her in the rain. All it had cost her was a cup of coffee.

Two years later, as she’s preparing supper, she listens for the sound of Brian’s truck pulling in the drive. With the tap of his airhorn, three little kids come to life and light out the door, hollering, “Momma, Daddy’s home!”

A smile comes on Leann’s face as she brushes back a tear. She can’t help but remember that cold, miserable, rainy night on the roadside with a flat. Who would’ve ever thought it would be that night she obtained mercy? In her mind, Brian was wrong about one thing. He was definitely her knight in shining armor.

Sometimes God may let you hit bottom and experience utter hopelessness, but that doesn’t mean he’s forgotten you. He may have allowed you to get there so you can enjoy it more when you obtain mercy. Have a blessed day in the Lord!

Copyright © 2020 Andy Hollifield, used with permission.

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