Jenna looked down at her gas gauge and didn't like what she was seeing. The old car was eating gas much faster than she'd expected and the needle was already getting far too cozy with the big red E on the wrong end of the dial. She looked up in the rear view mirror and saw that her two children, much to her relief, were now sound asleep. The stress of the day had apparently caught up with them and they'd decided to power nap in the back seat while mom took them to wherever God was leading.
Not sure what she would do next, especially given how late it was, she pulled off the highway and headed for the first gas station she could find. But it was closed for repairs. So she tried pulling into several others, but was again blocked, despite her best efforts. Eventually she was able to find a station she could pull into and soon pulled up to a pump. She then stopped and turned off the car, lowered her head, and began to pray.
"Lord, you've taken us this far, and you've told us to go all the way to Michigan. But you know our situation. We have no money, no gas, and nor do we have a place to stay for the night. Lord, please, for the sake of my children and for Your great and mighty name, please bless us with the things we need, be that food or shelter or fuel, or all of the above. I don't know how you will bless us tonight, but I leave this in your loving hands."
Just then she felt a nudge on her heart.
"Fuel your car," a still, small voice seemed to say to her.
But her mind rejected its summons.
"I have no money, Lord," her thoughts replied, almost seeming to refute the claims of faith she'd just demonstrated.
"Fuel your car," came the urging again.
Jenny nodded slightly, almost by instinct, and obeyed the urging. She had no idea how they would pay for their gas, but if God wanted her to fill her tank, one way or another they would get the gas they needed. So she climbed out, lifted the nozzle off the pump, and stuck it in the gas tank. But much to her shock and surprise, as soon as she pressed the button to select the 86 octane gas, the pump went nuts. Its TV like advertising display screen began to flash "Winner!" over and over again almost as though she'd just hit the jackpot in Vegas. A moment later the PA system crackled to life.
"Pump nine, I'm sorry for the inconvenience. Please wait one moment while we figure out what's the matter," came a voice over the PA system.
Jenna only nodded. She wasn't sure what'd happened or what to think about her current situation. She stood patiently by the pump for what seemed like forever, waiting on the attendant to tell her what to do next. Eventually the PA crackled to life again.
"Pump nine, please hang up your nozzle and report to the service counter. Pump nine, please hang up your nozzle and report to the service counter, please."
Jenna's heart leapt with fear. Had she gotten in trouble? Did they know she didn't have any money? Was she about to be arrested and separated from her children? Not wanting to incriminate herself she did as she was told and then stepped inside. As soon as she did she locked eyes with one of the cashiers who cocked an eyebrow slightly.
"Are you from pump nine?" they asked.
"I am," replied Jenna sheepishly.
The cashier nodded.
"Just a moment, please. The manager will be right out," they said.
Jenna's mind began to reel.
"The manager!?" she thought in horror.
Just then two men walked out of the back office and approached the counter. One of them brushed the cashier aside and began playing with the terminal for a few moments. He then turned to an envelope in his hands and began digging through it, eventually producing an envelope with several items in it. Upon opening it the man's brow went up.
"Wow, are you the lucky one today," he said.
"What do you mean?" asked Jenna.
"Well, you're the winner in our surprise giveaway. According to this, not only do you get a free tank of gas, but you also get a hundred dollars cash and a certificate for a free room and dinner at the Budget Inn just down the street."
Jenna looked at him in shock!
"Dinner and a hotel room!?" she squeaked.
"Yeah, and a hundred dollars free spending cash and a tank of free gas."
It was at that moment that a river of tears broke forth from Jenna's eyes as she cried with joy, and then hugged one of the men, whom she later discovered was the store manager, before eventually backing up apologetically and smiling sheepishly. The man laughed.
"If only all my customers were as grateful as you," he chuckled.
"Well, shall we get the picture?" asked the other man.
The manager nodded, grabbed $100 out of the till, and then with all of her prize items in hand Jenna stood with the two men and got her picture taken. After she regained her composure, and was able to refuel her car, she climbed in and immediately headed down the road towards the local hotel, tears still streaming down her face. Once again God had come through for her, and in ways she'd never expected. She then desperately wiped the tears from her eyes as she tried to see the road ahead.
"You are so wonderful, Lord, and yet I am so unworthy of your grace."
"You are more than worthy, my child," came a still, small voice within her heart.
"But why me, Lord?"
"Because I love you."
Jenna smiled.
"Thank you, Lord."