America Needs A TIME OUT
I was driving from South Carolina to Virginia on Saturday, September 12, 2015 to take my son a car that I helped him purchase. The car drove excellent for the first 260 miles when suddenly the electrical system started to cut the car on and off, until finally it cut off and never started again. I said “OH GOD PLEASE NO, HELP ME.” With approximately 70 miles left to travel I pulled the car to the shoulder of the road and got out to inspect it. I tried to start it several times, it did absolutely nothing. So I decided to call a tow truck to get the car and take me to the next city. I tried several numbers from my internet search too no avail. All of a sudden I turned to walk back to the front of the car and behold, there was a white gentleman standing directly behind me. He actually scared me, but I contained my composure and said “Oh Hello Sir,” He responded and said that he was passing by and saw me and felt that I needed help. Although I was a little nervous that this complete stranger stopped to help me I proceeded to tell him what happened to the car. He without hesitation took out his cell phone and placed a call to AAA Road Side Service. This stranger who randomly stopped by me had just arranged for his roadside service to pick up my car and take it to the nearest shop for repairs. We exchanged names his being Mr. Gary Limer, then he invited me to wait in his truck for the tow truck because on the shoulder of I-95 can be very dangerous.
After about 15 minutes of waiting on the tow truck to arrive, I looked in the mirror and there was a North Carolina State Trooper parked behind my disabled vehicle. I exited the truck and walked over to him. He said, “I noticed the two vehicles parked here and I was just checking to see if anyone needed help.” I told him that my vehicles Theft light started blinking and shut the car off. Immediately after I mentioned the word THEFT I thought to myself, ARE YOU CRAZY? You are a black man telling a white state trooper that your vehicles THEFT light came on. I thought to myself he may think I stole the car and this could get very bad really fast. But the officer didn’t react at all to what I had said; he just asked me if I needed anything? By that time, Mr. Gary walked back and introduced himself to Trooper Rizzuto and began to engage him into conversation. My father passed away several years ago, but I remembered thinking that Mr. Gary reminded me so much of my dad. He could talk to anyone about anything. It was at that time that I began to start feeling safe and that everything would be alright.
I remember standing there as the Trooper and Mr. Gary were talking and thinking to myself not all policemen are bad. With all the recent hype in the media putting blacks people and policemen against each other it was very refreshing to have a positive encounter with two white gentlemen who stopped to help me. So at this time, I would like to give a shot out to Trooper Rizzuto, for helping me and making me feel truly safe while stranded on the side of the road. Finally, after about an hour the tow truck arrive and picked up the car. Mr. Gary then offered to take me to Rocky Mount, North Carolina to catch the train back home which was almost 20 miles opposite the direction he was traveling. I thought to myself why is this guy doing so much for a stranger? As we were traveling, I decided that I needed to ask him that very question. He said that he normally does not stop at strangers but as he was passing by me, the LORD spoke to him and said that he needed to stop and help me. I was totally blown away by that statement. We continued talking about our families the entire trip to Rocky Mount. I told him how God had blessed me to adopt five children (three brothers and their two nephews) and how they had traveled all across the country ministering the art of mime though music. We exchanged information and vowed to keep in touch after I arrived at the train station. Mr. Gary Limer refused to take any type of compensation for his inconveniences. I thanked him again for everything he had done for me this day. During the ride on the train home I had the opportunity to reflect back on what had occurred. When the vehicle stopped I said to myself this is going to be a bad day for me because:
1. I am 260 miles away from Home.
2. The car I am driving stopped.
3. I am in the middle of nowhere.
4. No Tow Service appears open
5. Who will help me?
6. How will I get the car fixed?
7. How will I get the car to my son?
8. How will I get home because I missed my scheduled train?
My questions were answered when God placed it in a gentlemen heart to help. All of my worries were taken care of by one word: GOD To my new friend Gary Limer, thank you for everything that you did for a stranger that you met. I’m reminded of the parable in the scriptures that talks about the Good Samaritan.
Gospel of Luke (10:29–37).