Just yesterday I read a post on a friend's blog about how she bought a drunk man soup and the cashier couldn't believe that she would do that. I was humbled by her sincere words and her ever-present heart of service to Christ and those for whom he weeps. Last night, on our way out of the wealthy developments of Forest Lake, where we had just met with a small group from our church, we were approached by a young couple, looking (and smelling) exhausted and beat. Their car had broken down on 29N and they were looking for the nearest gas station or something. So, we told them to hop in and we'd take them. I was nervous at first and kept slyly glancing to make sure I could see the man's hands at all times, because, you know, we are supposed to be afraid of strangers, especially strangers who look poor and worn out. Anyway...they proceeded to tell us how they need 3 quarts of oil, but don't have any money because it was all stolen while they were in Lynchburg. They had just moved from Tennessee to Baltimore and spent the weekend getting more of their stuff from TN when they stopped to see a friend in Lynchburg and all of their money was stolen. So, we bought them oil and water and took them back to their car. As Josh stuck around to make sure they got the car started, they told him about how they had to sell their wedding bands to a pawn shop to get enough money to make it home...then had to stop at a church to ask for more when they needed more gas. We saw them off and wished them luck getting to Baltimore.

More than anything else, what has stuck in my head is the fact that they sold their wedding bands. I told Joshua this morning that I don't know if I would do that, which is proof positive that I don't really know what desperation is. I have mixed emotions about that. I am blessed beyond measure to know that all my needs are provided for, yet, I can't help but think that a certain amount of desperation would be good for us all. If I knew true need, I wouldn't care so much about a diamond and some white gold on my finger. Material goods would not have value in and of themselves. The whole experience has left me feeling like the materialist greed-mongers I trash talk so often.

Anyway...last night was the kind of reminder we all need from time to time that we aren't doing so badly afterall. Josh said it best when, as the couple pulled away in their beater Pontiac that very well might not have made it back to Baltimore, he said "The Explorer is the best car ever and I should never complain about having it."