Miracles in the Rain, Part 1 (New Material!!!!)

On an early afternoon in the fall of 1990, I was about to leave the cafeteria at the commons on the Texas A&M campus. It was a fairly long walk to my dorm, then across campus to my next class. As soon as I stepped outside, the clouds sent forth a flood, comparable to the days of Noah. We didn’t stand a chance, instant drenching. Running for cover would do no good, for there was no cover that could protect us from the magnitude of this kind of deluge. So I kept walking. Five seconds latter, I could not get any wetter if I were fish food. Totally drenched.

About 5 minutes latter, a car pulled up next to me, the driver rolling down the passenger window and shouting, “Hey, do you need a ride?!”

How do you respond to that? I mean, what’s the point. I’m soaked, dude. A ride is not going to help at this point. One second after the flood started, maybe, but now, you’re a bit too late.

But, after a moments hesitation, something within led me to accept his kind but misguided offer. I got in, adding much moisture to the interior of his Monte Carlo. After he inquired to my destination, we were on our way.

I noticed he had a cross hanging from his rear view mirror, and a sticker of some sort with a pithy Christian saying on the dashboard. (Odd place for a sticker, but, oh well.) He also had one of those HUGE bibles on the seat next to him. He asked me, “Do you know who Michael W. Smith is? That’s him on the radio.” Oh, thanks dude. Haven’t a clue.

He didn’t say another word on the 2 minute drive.

We pulled up to my dorm, I got out and thanked him, He said goodbye, and that’s it. Never saw him again.

The rain let up. Great timing. I went inside my dorm and climbed 4 flights of stairs to the 4th floor. For a big boy, this takes some effort, and I’m winded after the third. As I was ascending, my thoughts started to gel. The cross, the sticker, the Bible. That guy was a Christian. And surprisingly, he was not a jerk. (Keep in mind, at this time in my life, I am in rebel mode. All things Christian were “the enemy” to my lifestyle.) In fact, he didn’t preach to me one bit. He served me. Hmmm. That’s what Christians do. They serve. Or at least they’re supposed to. This one got it right.

It was a God moment. At that point in time, my perspective on what Christians were all about did a 180. I began to see Christians and the church in a more positive light. It was a paradigm shift of the highest order.

I never saw that guy again. But I will see him again. One glorious day, I will have the opportunity to find him, and say, “Hey, do you remember that ride you gave to that random guy during the rain? Well, I’m Here because of you.”

His random act of kindness laid a major brick on the foundation of my faith.

So, never doubt your act of kindness. It may send someone on a new path.



2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.
Hebrews 13:2