Last night was cold and clear. I was driving alone through the night. Driving down an old familiar stretch of road I remembered a frigid morning along that same stretch of road a few years ago. I was driving a car that was new to me. It was very early in the morning and I was eager for the car to warm up and looking forward to wrapping my hands around the free cup of coffee they would give me when I gassed up out on the Interstate. It was unusually cold the kind of morning you feel like getting to work is a struggle for survival against the elements.
Suddenly the engine sputtered and died. Out of gas. “Deceptive gauge,” I thought. I coasted to the side of the read and braced myself for a very cold walk. I wished I had brought a warmer coat, hat and gloves. Then I smiled. My younger brothers, Kevin and Nathan commuted to work along this same stretch of road. They would have to pass this spot within fifteen minutes riding to work together. The thought warmed and relieved me.
In a few minutes their little car came purring down the road and I stuck out my thumb. They pulled alongside and rolled down the window. “Did you forget to buy gas,” Nate teased, “for twenty bucks we’ll take you to get some.”
In a little while I waved good-bye to my dear little brothers and was warm and secure feeling the heat warm my feet, listening to news on the radio.
It’s nice to know that because of Jesus, no matter how dark and cold the night is, no matter how lonely or frightened or vulnerable we become, no matter what bad things happen to us, if we trust the Lord and wait patiently, help is on the way.
We have brothers out there somewhere in the darkness and we are traveling the same road. We have the same Father. That is a warm thought on a cold winter night.
Ken Pierpont
Granville Cottage
Riverview, Michigan
December 1, 2017
