thanks, but no thanks!

Just a few days ago I took a jog to the beach. It was warm and sunny with a slight breeze, which was just enough to cool things off a little from the "dog days of August." As I was cruising along (actually suckin' wind) I noticed a small truck coast past me. The driver was trying to start the truck as he quietly coasted by. The grinding of the starter continued, but the effort was to no avail. So he began to pull somewhat off to the side of the road but not completely and kept coasting.

At this point, as I continued my jog, I realized I had a decision to make. Should I help him push the truck to a nearby gas station, of which there was one within sight. Assuming he was just out of gas and nothing more serious. Of course the reason I assumed he was out of gas was simply my astute reasoning. He was a teenager. Oh, I know that's not fair, hey I ran out of gas a time or two as a teen, or was that oil........I don't know it was one of those. I hope that doesn't sound irresponsible, but after all, we were the teens that decided to light a pack of firecrackers in the back of a car one school night and neglected to roll down the window first. ("you can guess what happened next, just to give you an idea of how responsible WE were")


So, do I keep jogging (actually by now I can't find any wind to suck) or break my stride and help this kid push his truck to the station. Well, of course, I do the "Christian thing" and I show him what a good Samaritan I am. I then jump in behind and start pushing with all the strength I could muster. Suddenly, almost out of nowhere, the truck somehow produces another teen to help push. I guess he was slumped over in the front as a maneuver to help garner more support for the perceived lone driver. We all seemed to be joining in the effort. I almost felt that kumbaya thing happenin'. It actually did not seem that difficult. Though as time went on, it seemed, suspiciously like I was carrying more and more of the load. I looked up from my endeavors and observed the teens had semi-mounted the front seat of the truck as their other leg dangled out of the truck above the pavement. Indicating, much to my dismay, (and wind suckin')that I was carrying all the load. At this point we were close enough to the gas station to abandon my efforts. Which I did as the teens" gleefully" coasted in next to the pumps.

Then I veered slightly over towards their direction to receive my much deserved thank you. To my surprise the teens looked at me and then turned away, seeming to imply, thanks, but you get "no thanks".

Wow, I went out of my way to show these guys what a good Samaritan I was and they wouldn't even acknowledge my sincere efforts. After all, wasn't I being the hands and feet of Jesus! I was about to let them know how inconsiderate it was to not "pat me on the back", when I then began to realize my true motives for helping. I get to help, then someone thanks me, and I have done my duty for the day and I feel good all over. How convenient........you know that reward thing.

He came to serve, not to be served. All He did, was done without expectation. It has been said, "character is what you do when no one is around". Matthew 6:1- Hey, don't do your good deeds publicy to be admired by others, for you will lose your reward from your Father in heaven.

Help me to serve, humbly and intentionally expecting nothing in return.

In Christ,
gerald

more new tech stuff

OK, another new techno day. I guess I ain't got much learnin' in me after all. Reckon' I'll figure it out eventually.............Look for a real blog in a day or two. I'm quittin for now and get some sleep, since I finally got this thing up and running.

In Christ,
gerald