A place worth living: how kindness in strangers restored my faith in society | Opinion
I ran out of gas the other day on I-24 between Nashville and Chattanooga. It’s not the worst thing that’s ever happened, but it did mean a long walk to the next exit to buy gas and then that same walk back to my car.
It wasn’t but three minutes into my journey before someone in an older model Toyota pulled over and offered me a ride.
The strapping bald fellow about my age told me his name as we struck up a conversation during the six minute ride to the gas station. He was in a huge rush or would have been happy to run me back, he said.
Along the way I learned he commuted about 100 miles each way to work where helped assemble and deliver upscale outdoor furniture. He said this was a good job, he had been in prison a couple different times, was in recovery and really making an effort to turn his life around. His name was John.
After buying a gallon of water at the station and refilling the empty container with gas, I began the trek to my car.
It wasn’t but seven minutes before someone in a van pulled over and offered me a ride. The friendly 20something with a shock of hair was wearing a T-shirt, cut-offs and flip-flops.
He managed a band and lived in Colorado. The van belonged to the band and had broken down in Augusta last week. He had arranged for a rental so the band could get where it needed to go. Unfortunately, that meant flying from Colorado to Georgia to get the van and drive it home.
As we drove, he marveled at the beauty of the green hills of Tennessee and wished me well. His name was Lucas.
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The kindness of strangers made my journey easier
I found myself in a difficult position that day, with a long journey ahead of me along a dangerous stretch of road. On both legs of my journey, I had to rely on the kindness of strangers and didn’t have the luxury of picking my rescuers.
The experience reminded me of the time that our family was driving to Chicago to celebrate Christmas with family. It was snowing and my sister and I were excited about the prospect of sledding on our arrival.
I wasn’t really aware my father was white knuckling it down the interstate trying to keep our sub-compact Mazda on the road. My mother was nervous as well.
Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a figure along the road. Mom said, “I think he’s rolling a tire.”
My father, in the split of a second, immediately pulled over.
The gentleman rolled his tire up to the car while dad asked my mom to roll down the window.
A burst of cold air along with snow flurries instantly shot inside. The man said his car had a flat and he was rolling it down the road to see if he could find someone to fix it. Darkness was falling.
Without a word between them, my parents glanced at each other and made an agreement.
Mom got out of the front seat, insisted the fellow sit down and joined us kids in the back. I’ll never forget seeing the enormous snow-encrusted tire on his lap as we drove slowly looking for a repair shop.
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We are all capable of kindness
Tonight, I thank God for John and Lucas, and I pray for each of them. I also thank God for John and Diane Moeller who modeled for my sister and I a similar, unrequited love for the stranger.
Based on what you may see or hear in the media, you may believe that the world is simply dangerous and full of nothing but tortured and anguished people. But, let me tell you that the Spirit of God is still very much at work in the world. There continue to be angels among us who, in the split of a second, act with kindness and generosity toward strangers.
This kind of love continues to make the world a place worth living.
Rev. John R. Moeller, Jr. is president and CEO of Inspiritus
Inspiritus is a nonprofit social service agency that guides individuals and families whose lives have been disrupted on a path from surviving to thriving. In 2019, Lutheran Services in Tennessee and Lutheran Services of Georgia joined forces and became known as Inspiritus.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Restoring faith back in society by acts of random kindness
