Mrs. Coleman balanced her Bible and purse in one hand and gripped the stair rail with the other. She descended into the church parking lot, shuffled her belongings, and pulled out her car keys. As she stuck a key into the lock, she glanced at her threadbare tires.
“Lord, get me home safely.” The octogenarian slid into her seat and headed down the road.
Lela, a great-grandmother, still retained her good eyesight and driver’s license. So far no family member had reprimanded her for driving, and she’d had no accidents. She traveled around Freeport, Texas, to church and ran errands nearby. With God as her co-pilot, Lela planned to stay on the go as long as she could. However, the upkeep of her van was a drain on her fixed income.
Early Monday morning, Lela drove to the Sears Tire Center in Lake Jackson to price new tires. The young man at the counter gave her the grim news.
“Mrs. Coleman, you’re going to need four new tires. I’m not sure how you even got here on the ones you have.”
Lela flinched, and then smiled. “With God’s help, son.” She stared at the invoice and calculated the costs. “But today, I can only buy two tires. I’ll pray about it, and maybe by the first of the month I will be able to come back and get the other two.”
The young man hung his head and dallied over the figures.
Lela realized he was slightly embarrassed. “Don’t worry; the Lord will keep me safe.”
An older man standing behind Lela stepped up to the counter, reached for the invoice, and waved it at the salesman. “I want you to find the four best tires in your store, and put them on this lady’s car.”
Stunned, both Lela and the salesman turned to the stranger.
“Do I know you?” Lela frowned through her bifocals to see the man clearly.
“No, ma’am. This is something I want to do for you.” The man smiled.
“I can’t allow such extravagance,” Lela sputtered.
The salesman beamed. “Maybe in this case you can. Seems like you got an early answer to your prayers.”
Lela tried to persuade the gentleman she would be fine, but he was insistent. Grinning, the salesman grabbed her keys, handed them to a technician, and ordered four new tires. The stranger signed his credit card receipt and left the store.
Within a few minutes, the minivan sat newly fitted in front of the store. Lela Coleman walked out to her car, slid in the front seat and said, “Lord, get me home safely, and bless the angel you sent me this day.”
Please pray for Mrs. Coleman. This story took place several years ago and at this time her health is faltering. We love you, Mrs. C.
