The Woman at the Travel Plaza

The writing prompt for Sunday Scribblings this week is "Fellow Travelers". Through out my traveling, I have met some very interesting people, enough people to fill a book. However, one woman quickly comes to my mind - the woman at the travel plaza. (Travel plazas are service centers along the interstate turnpikes with restaurants, restrooms, and gasoline pumps.)

About 8 years ago, our family made a major move to the East Coast. We drove 3000 miles to a home and town that we had never seen. It was adventurous, but also scary. Moving is expensive and we didn't have much money. So, we planned to keep the travel expenses as low as possible. To save on food and lodging costs, we decided to drive straight through sleeping in the car and buying our food at grocery stores. However, we didn't understand the reality of the facilities available along the turnpikes. There aren't very many towns along the interstates. Instead, motorists stop at travel plazas for food and gas. The prices at travel plazas were higher then we had expected to pay. This added much stress to our trip.

I remember being in a travel plaza in Pennsylvania. My husband and I were anxiously discussing which fast food we should buy for our family. We walked between the different menu boards in the food court, comparing prices. Well, there was a woman who was watching us. She came up to me and handed me $20. She said that she was traveling with a group of women from her church. She noticed the size of our family and knew that traveling could be expensive. She felt like God wanted her to come offer this money to us. I quietly said a thank you. Then she smiled and rushed away. I stood there with my mouth hanging open. Nothing like that had ever happed to me before. Hoping to thank her again, I looked around the crowded room. But, she was already gone.

So, I'd like to express my appreciation to this woman. I'll probably never know your name or see you again. God prompted you to do something and you obeyed Him. You showed my family kindness, in a respectful way. You made a positive impact on me that will effect the rest of my life.

Some may call this a random act of kindness. Some will call this Christian charity. I call it a message from God. He was reminding me that I didn't need to worry about our current situation or the ones we may face in the future. God would always provide for my family.

15 comments:

John and Debbie Poe said...

What a great story! A good reminder for all of us to look for God's blessings in our daily life. Plus a reminder that it is truly better to give than to receive. The story makes me want to go out and find a large family looking for a bargain at dinner time.

Thanks for your post.

Anonymous said...

Quite uplifting!

Keith's Ramblings said...

Restores your faith in human nature! No wonder you've vever forgotten.

Tristi Pinkston said...

What a wonderful story. I love hearing about times when people listen to promptings and bless the lives of people around them.

Barbara said...

Hi Shari,
thanks for visiting my blog and leaving a comment on "Monday Memories". I'll be posting again of course on Monday and I would love to have you participate.
Your Blog looks great, a lot of neat things going on.
Blessings!

Tumblewords: said...

Delightful story!

Sandra.if said...

Beautiful experience!!

The Chatty Housewife said...

This story brought tears to my eyes. Amazing.

rebecca said...

stories on the kindness of strangers.....angels dressed in disguise.

what a beautiful story. very touching and warms the human spirit.

thank you for sharing that.

Anonymous said...

shari, you write so well.


leveller

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful thing to have happened... and for your kids to have seen it... wow!!

Dee
http://pavinganewroad.wordpress.com/

tricia stirling said...

a beautiful story. thanks.

myrtle beached whale said...

great post. there are definitely angels among us.
http://myrtlebeachramblings.blogspot.com/

sandierpastures said...

I'd say you met an angel!

little wing writer said...

awesome...i love to hear stories where the lord reveals his loving care..jehovah jireh...amen