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Has The Holy Spirit Nudged You Lately?
I usually buy my gas at the same station and have been doing so for over 4 years. They are the cheapest around and the service is quick. They also sell propane tanks for gas barbecue grills so I get mine there as well. It's a couple of dollars more but I'm familiar with these guys and it's close and convenient. I usually run out in the middle of cooking dinner so it's a quick and easy ride up the main road. I've gotten to know some of the guys who work there even though I'm not sure what country they are from. Someone told me they were from Iran and someone else said India. It didn't really matter to me - or so I thought.
Several months ago they changed personnel. I was a little disappointed but didn't know who the new guys were. Because I don't cook outside in the winter, I recently took two empty propane tanks back to them to get my deposits back. The man I gave them to wasn't happy when I told him I wasn't refilling them. In broken English he told me he'd have to call the manager to ask what to do. I was getting annoyed. He hung up the phone and told me that he couldn't give me the full deposit of $10 per tank, only $15 for the two. I explained that I bought them there but he wouldn't hear of it. The boss told him $15 and that was it.
I got very upset but didn't say anything because I didn't want to cause a scene. So I took the $15 and drove away vowing NEVER to go there again. Plus, I rationalized (rational lies), I could possibly be funding terrorism by buying my gas there which was even more of an incentive to never go back. I was HOT. For the next several months I shopped at other local stations. I paid more for gas but I didn't care. I wasn't going back there.
As the saying goes, time began to heal my wounds. Plus money was getting tight and most of the other stations were 8-10 cents more per gallon and they were out of the way. It was adding up because with 9 kids I do a lot of driving. And I felt ridiculous driving right by there to go two miles down the road for more expensive gas because I was upset about not getting $5 from the propane tanks I returned. So I decided to go back.
My first time back I was running late to somewhere and only wanted to put $10 in the tank so I stopped there. The new guys who had taken over were there, including the one I had the issue with. He didn't serve me but I was cordial to him and with the man who put the gas in my car. I felt good about saving the money and they were cordial so I was ok with it all.
A few days ago I stopped there and the man who usually serves me came up to my window and started talking to me. He pointed to my speedometer and said, "I want that." And I pointed and said, "You want that?" He pointed and said, "No, that." "I don't understand what you're saying," I said. Then he reached into my car and touched the Rosary beads that were hanging from a handle grip near my window. "This," he said. "Oh! Well you can't have these because my wife made them. But would you like me to bring you one?" "Yes! I love them!"
So on Sunday, after Mass, I went in to get gas and I gave him another pair that I had with a brochure on how to pray the Rosary. He had a great big smile on his face and folded his hands in prayer. He kept bowing and saying, "Thank you, thank you. I love her! Every Sunday I pray. Thank you."
I was struck with amazement. I felt guilty for accusing them because of the way they looked and spoke, but more for almost missing out on being a messenger for God and passing on one of the most beautiful traditions and devotions we have as Catholics - the Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary. I am just so pleased because I've increased my devotion to the Blessed Mother these past several months and through this incident she has shown me that she acknowledges that. Thank you Mary!
Dear Lord, help me not to judge others regardless of their race, nationality, or social status. Instill in me the realization that I should stay open to you and pass on the beautiful and true aspects of our faith to anyone who wants to receive them. Amen.
(Special Note: After this incident I never saw that man again at the gas station. It's amazing to me how God puts people into your path. I'm glad I acted on what the Holy Spirit was nudging me to do. )
Views: 139
Comment
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Comment by Singledadof9 on September 16, 2012 at 10:58pm -
Hi Michele, I remember early on driving home and literally screaming and cursing at God at the top of my lungs asking why he let this happen. I think it made me draw closer to him. He understands our pain. And you miss it because he's gently tugging at you. He wants you back. But he wants you to want to be back. His hand is always stretched out toward us but we make the decision to reach out and accept him. Take your time. He's not going anywhere. :) I will pray for you. Read Isaiah 43:1-4 and make that a part of your daily reading. It will give you new insights. God Bless.
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Comment by bad ass widow on September 16, 2012 at 9:54pm -
I am not a religious person by far,(thats another story) but I am always inspired by what you write. Thanks for that.
(((hugs)))
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Comment by Singledadof9 on September 16, 2012 at 7:39pm
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Hi Ali! Thank you. Your comments really warmed my heart. You are right. God can use you anywhere. Even if you don't know it! Then he will turn around and surprise you and let you find out how he used you! I will pray for you. You will overcome. The fact that you want to shows that you're ready for it. :) God Bless You. Isaiah 40:31.
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Comment by AEDforever (Ali) on September 16, 2012 at 9:56am -
that was beautiful singledad. i am a christian, but not a catholic. this story illustrates that no matter where you are, who you are, or how you worship, God can use you. you shine the light of God to others in a special way. amen. i am praying to be relieved of my selfish obsession on my loss, so that i can somehow be of use in this world. pray for me.
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Comment by Singledadof9 on September 14, 2012 at 4:04pm
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Hi Ashleigh! That's a good idea to talk to your priests and keep talking to your therapist as well. Your priest will help you strengthen you relationship with God. Even a Spiritual Director can help some times more than a priest. They are trained in how to see God in your life and how to help your connection with God get stronger. That's more important than anything else (in my humble opinion). If we can get our relationship with God right, everything else will fall into place. I truly believe that. I will pray for you to find someone of the faith who can really help you. God bless. :)
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Comment by Ashleigh on September 14, 2012 at 3:15pm
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That gave me chill bumps. I feel so emotionless. Even must disgust with genes Drs have lost
Their fire. I'm to a point nothing scares me therefore nothing phases me at all.
I need to get with reality of what I have to do with such a young child to
Care for. Thank you for sharing this. I think it's time I had a heart to heart with or priest.
Maybe he can help me where my therapist( however wonderful) can not.
:)
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Comment by Lori on September 14, 2012 at 3:04pm -
My friend who is also a widow heard about this place on our catholic radio station, He makes them here in the northwest but will ship them anywhere. It touched many at Mark's funeral and gave us an opportunity to tell them of this beautiful prayer. here's the link Mariancaskets.com
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Comment by Singledadof9 on September 14, 2012 at 2:12pm
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Oh wow Lori! I didn't even know they made caskets like that. I have a small devotion to the Chaplet every day at 3 p.m. I also was invited to sing the Chaplet on Divine Mercy Sunday this past year. It was an incredible experience.
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Comment by Lori on September 13, 2012 at 9:51pm
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I got him a Marian casket and on it was the divine mercy chaplet it was a pine box. He loved singing the divine mercy chaplet
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Comment by Singledadof9 on September 13, 2012 at 9:38pm
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I bet you did. I almost cry singing it!
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