Recently, I drove home to celebrate my mother’s birthday. While I was visiting her I went to see my brother. On the way back to her place I noticed one of my tires was losing air.

The next morning, I took it to the local Co-op. They said it was just the cold weather and filled up all the tires. I knew that wasn’t the case. I may be blonde and a woman but one thing I am not, is stupid.

The next day, as I expected, the tire was flat as a pancake. I was so angry and frustrated. The following morning was when I was planning to leave. There was bad weather coming in soon and I needed to beat the cold and snow to get home safely.

In the midst of this crisis I heard the Holy Spirit speak. “You know a flat tire in your novel, The Shattered Vase, was used by God to benefit a whole host of people.”

I brushed that aside and with frustration retorted back, “Yeah, but that same novel was nominated for a Christian Literary Award. One of the reasons I need to get home is because the organizers of that event are waiting for a picture of me. I can’t do that in the middle of nowhere, with little to no internet connection.”

I proceeded to have a meltdown in my bedroom. Then I started thinking…I had AAA. I looked in my wallet and realized I didn’t bring the card. My boyfriend was the one who had bought my membership, so I called him and he gave me the info to contact them.

So I got a guy out and he put a donut on my car. The donut would allow me to drive the car back to that stinking local Co-op so they could do the right thing.

The next morning I got packed up and drove to the local Co-op. I had to sit and wait for the tire to be replaced. It took about an hour. A trickle of farmers came in to get donuts and coffee while I was waiting. They were interesting to listen to, and I was amused by their sense of humor.

Soon I was on my way. I was driving through Kansas when I noticed that my car was running low on gas. That is a bit scary because in Kansas, at times, it is quite a stretch to find a gas station. I was relieved when I noticed a travel center coming up. I also wanted to grab a couple of Red Bulls.
I pulled into that travel center, grabbed my two energy drinks, and hopped back in my car forgetting all about the gas I needed. I was on the road when I realized I was almost on empty so I made a U-turn at the Mulvane exit and went back to the travel center.

When I pulled up to the gas pump, I noticed a motorcycle with a milk crate strapped on the back that had two extra helmets tied to the crate. I thought, “there has got to be a story behind that.”

The man from the motorcycle stood outside the gas station and commented on my coat. I started a conversation with him. I found out that his eighteen-year-old son had just died and someone had stolen his son’s motorcycle so he had to get the motorcycle back. Then he told me that God was good, and he had had cancer for three years but was still living. Then he asked me to help him out with buying a gallon of gas.

I had just filled up my car with gas and my mind started turning. The gas was only $2.29 a gallon. I knew I had some small bills in my car. I said, “Wait right here and I will be back.” I rushed to my car and pulled a five-dollar bill out, giving it to the guy.

I was driving on the road again when the Holy Spirit came back. I realized why I had the flat tire and had forgotten to fill up with gas. I was going home to celebrate my mother’s birthday but God had other plans. I needed to be there for that one man at that specific time, to minister to him as Christ would have.
If you are curious as to how a flat tire was used for good in The Shattered Vase by Gracie Lynne click on the following link. https://store.bookbaby.com/book/The-Shattered-Vase