#write31days | October 5th

A few weeks ago I went to a dinner for volunteers at my church and was heading home around 9:30pm.  As I was driving a warning light for low tire pressure came on, so of course, what to do started running through my head.

...stop somewhere and check the tire air pressure
...go home and check the tire pressure, then decide
...go home and wait until morning and pray it wasn't flat
...I wish there was someone who could take care of these things for me

It's not often I have that last thought, but at night, by myself and a car issue, I wish there was a someone and that I wasn't S I N G L E. Someone that was mine, who helped me in these types of scenarios and makes sure I was safe.

But, back to reality. 

I had out of town plans for Saturday and was planning to leave pretty early, and I didn't want to get up with a flat tire on my car in my garage.

So, I decided to stop. 

And, I prayed. 

Not because I think things like this are to be hyper-spiritual, but because I believe God knows that I don't like being by myself at night and dealing with a car issue. So, why wouldn't I pray?

Ask for help, Angie, you don't have to do this alone. 

Who's going to help me?

Ask for help, Angie, you don't have to do this alone. 

As I pulled into the gas station, one that holds a memory or 2 for me from a guy I dated, I looked around, by this time, it's getting closer to 10 pm and there's also a group of people loitering around.

Ask for help, Angie, you don't have to do this alone. 

So, I turned in to the gas pumps, parked close to the door, got my tire gauge out (thank you to my Dad for teaching me how to do these things, so if I am alone I am not helpless) and checked the tire air pressure.  I knew according to my OnStar reports it needed to be 32 or 33, and it wasn't. It was low, like in the 20's low, 1/3 less than what that tire needed.

It needs air.

The air machine is in the corner of the parking lot and how I needed to park my car blocks me from anyone really being able to see me.

Ask for help, Angie, you don't have to do this alone. 

So, I did it.  I asked for help. I went inside, got quarters for my dollar, and asked the attendant if he would keep an eye on the air machine as I needed to air up a tire. And, called home so someone knew where I was, even though they were 80 miles away. :)

As I was getting the air started and trying to check if I'd gotten enough in my tire I looked up and there stood the attendant.

"I was just coming out to make sure you were ok."

Thank you, I'm not sure I'm getting air in my tire, could you help me. 

I did it, I asked for help. 

And, within 2 minutes I was back on the road and headed home. 

Of course, this whole scenario has my mind racing, and praying/talking...Lord, these are the times I would really like to NOT be S I N G L E. But, thank you for protecting me on the road for the hundreds of thousands of miles I have driven in my years. And, thank you for all of the people that I know I could call, who would help me. But, none of them are mine. And, I want my own helper. 

Times like these are where "alone" can start to snowball, and if I'm not careful where I will go back to the thought that anyone would be better than no one, because then I wouldn't be alone. 

And, then I am reminded. I am never alone. 

Ask for help, Angie, you don't have to do this alone. 

I don't have to put air in my tire alone. 

I don't have to face difficulty alone. 

I don't have to ______ alone. 

Because even if I had my someone, they alone will never fill my feelings of sometimes being alone, they are human and can't meet that need deep in my heart. Only that one S I N G L E great love will go before me and behind me, knows all the things about me, and brings light to any dark night.  

I am reminded of this from one of my favorite chapters, Psalm 139

...You hem me in, behind and before,

and lay your hand upon me....

...even the darkness is not dark to you;

the night is bright as the day,

for darkness is as light with you.

And, one of my favorite songs, Good Good Father

Oh, I've heard a thousand stories of what they think you're like

But I've heard the tender whispers of love in the dead of night

And you tell me that you're pleased

And that I'm never alone

I just have to ask for help from the One who is waiting for me, no matter what time of day and no matter if it is a car issue or an issue hurting my heart, He is a Good Good Father and knows just what I need.  And, also what you need.  Just ask. 

For the rest of the story, thank you tire store for new set of tires in record time on a Saturday morning so I could get on the road and keep my plans! 

If you're just joining in from #write31days, I'm so glad you're here!
You can {click here} to read previous posts.