Man was it cold yesterday morning! The weatherman says we have "artic weather" coming from the north and I do believe he is right. They are predicting freezing temperatures for several days in a row. Since it was so cold I decided to take Kristina to school so that she would not have to ride on a bus for approximately 30 minutes with no heat in temperatures so low.
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As we got into the truck my "low fuel" light was buzzing at me. I looked at the needle trying to gauge how close it was to "E" trying to determine if I could make it all the way to work and back home without refueling. Impossible I thought, I have to get gas.
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I quickly dropped Gabe off at school and went through my plan with Kristina. "I'm going to pull up to the gas pump, you go to the cashier and give him this $20 bill and by the time you get back to the truck I will done pumping the gas and I'll rush you to school." Sounded like a good plan didn't it?
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As I threw the truck into park I handed her the $20 bill. We both jumped out and went to our assigned tasks. The wind was blowing, the nozzle was like touching a block of ice and as I stood there waiting for the pump to start I realized that the cashier was not going to allow me to pump the gas before I paid. I stood there and waited and waited and waited....come on I thought. Finally, I felt the pump release and I began pumping my gas.
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The dial changed to $1 and the nozzle clicked. You know how it does when your tank is full, that clicking noise it does so that no more gas is coming through. I released the handle, backed out the nozzle a little bit and mashed it again. The dial changed to $2 and then click. "Come on!" I said while releasing the handle and backing out the nozzle just a little more. I once again mashed the handle the dial changed to $3 and you guessed it CLICK! "You've got to be kidding me!" I said in frustration. I stood there for a moment trying to compose myself and the thought praise God in everything came through my mind. I began to say "Thank you God for allowing me to have a truck that needs gas. Thank you God for allowing me to live in a country where I can go to the gas station and pump gas any time I want to. Thank you God for the $20 so I could get this gas." I praised God every single time the nozzle clicked and trust me, it was NUMEROUS times!
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After some time (felt like an hour) the dial finally made it to $19.64 and all of a sudden it was as if the pump was shut off. I could feel gas going through the line but it was nothing more than a trickle. The dial began to move even slower to $19.65....$19.66.....$19.67.... I thought I was going to lose my mind! I stood there wanting to kick the pump, stomp my feet, scream in frustration but instead I began to pray again "Lord, bless the people who steal gas so that I have to pre-pay and stand out here in the cold while this pump slowly finishes my sale! Bless them Lord!" There was a man standing on the other side of the pump. He had glanced over a few times but this last time...I think I scared him!
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No matter what the circumstance, situation or frustration we should praise God. Stomping our feet, kicking the gas pump, ramming our buggy into someone's back isn't going to accomplish anything and actually all it will do is enrage us even more. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says "in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
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Some days are tough and will wear you down to your core but always remember that in those times praise God! I can remember singing a song as a kid and I can't remember the name of it but some of the lyrics were...in the good times praise his name, in the bad times do the same, in everything give the King of Kings all the praise!
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