#108: The Devil Almost Made Me Do It

Some weeks ago on a team site I coordinate, I wrote of passing by a motorist in apparent need, only to have my inner voice tell me to go back and offer help. Turns out the man had things under control and thanked me for stopping.

As I drove away, the feeling of goodness I experienced was far more satisfying than the initial feeling of self-disappointment that enveloped me while I passed the stalled car.

Tonight, the devil almost made me ignore another motorist in need and his wife and young baby.

I left a restaurant with a friend and observed the couple in the parking lot looking around before finally walking across the street to a drug store. That seemed a strange thing for them to do -- why not simply drive there? -- and I suspected they would hit us up for gas money with one sob story or another when they came back.

After my friend and I talked for a few minutes, the couple returned but did not approach us. As I pulled out of the restaurant's parking lot, I saw their car, now with the hood raised, and the man pouring water into the car's radiator as steam bellowed from the engine.

I was two blocks away when my inner voice once again grabbed my attention. I hated the feeling of letting them down and despised myself for not offering to help.

I turned around, stopped behind their car and apologized for not checking with them before I had left. I told them I had a large container of water in the trunk of my car if they needed it. The man said they had just gotten water from the drug store and thought they'd be okay. I offered a jump -- I carry cables in the trunk also -- but he said they'd be alright once he added the water.

I talked with the young mother about her 13-month-old girl, a beautiful baby and finally coaxed a smile from the youngster.

As I pulled away this time, I said a prayer of thanks that I went back to check on them and thanks for them being okay.

I explain this encounter not for a pat on the back or other accolades, but to encourage you to listen to that inner voice that asks, "Wouldn't you want someone to check on you if you were in trouble?

Listen to that inner voice of goodness and compassion and you will surely leave feeling more fulfilled than if you had ignored someone in need.

Just don't let the devil make you leave without offering to help.