Shortly after my marriage fell apart, my daughter and I were rushing to get to dance troupe practice after school, a daily mission that required the precision of a military operation. We had a short space of time, she would change in the car, and I usually brought a snack so she would have something to eat on the way, just so she wouldn't be late. It was stressful on both of us, and tempers would occasionally flare as we drove as fast as we could to get the half hour drive accomplished on time.
One day, everything went wrong. I was late picking her up, it was pouring rain, I hadn't brought the clothing she wanted, I didn't have her snack so we had to stop and get something, and then it happened.
Ker-thunk. Ker-thunk. Ker-thunk.
I knew as soon as I heard it what was going on. We had a flat tire, which meant she was going to be very late, if she made it at all. It was, as I said, pouring rain, which was not ideal conditions for changing the tire myself, even if I could, which I only vaguely and in theory knew how to do. It was later in the day, so the streets were very busy, and I needed to pull off into a parking lot to be safe. I didn't really know who to call, because everyone was busy with their own activities, and they didn't have time for me and my problems. My daughter was hungry, and impatient for something to eat, and there was nothing close by to stave off the hunger pangs. To top it all off, my cell phone was dead, and I didn't have a charger with me.
I felt overwhelmed by life at that moment. I was the adult, responsible for the precious child in the seat next to me who was starving and late for something that was important to her, and I was totally letting her down. Yet another failure, that would cost me more money I didn't have to get it put right. It was too much. I broke down, sobbing uncontrollably, and just could not stop myself. It was not my finest moment, either as a parent, or as a Christian. I was filled with woe, and very sorry for myself. My entire life had come down to a flat tire in a parking lot, and I was at the end of my rope.
It took a few minutes of hard crying and my poor little daughter trying, as best she could, to comfort me, before I was able to get a grip on myself. I couldn't stay in that parking lot forever. I had to pull myself together and fix the situation, and ultimately I did. I called on God to give me the wisdom and the strength to do whatever I needed to do to get through that moment, and the ones to come, and he was there for me and guided me when I could not even think clearly.
I went into the business whose parking lot we were in and called her dance studio. Then I went back to the car and my daughter, who was now scared and concerned about what would become of us, and tried my best to reassure her that all would be well. It was, after all, simply a flat tire. Not the end of the world. Not even that big of a deal. People change tires all the time. Stuff happens. It was just a tiny bit more stuff. We would change the tire, and it would all be fine. We said a prayer, and decided to tackle the problem and get that tire changed.
Ultimately, a nice guy noticed us looking over the situation in the rain and came to our rescue. I paid attention to what he did, in case I ever needed to change a tire again, and we were soon on our way, a little wetter, and a little wiser, and a lot more thankful for the God that provides what we need when we least expect it, even in the small times.
Why, in the midst of one of the worst times of my life, did that insignificant thing, a flat tire, overwhelm me, whereas I was able to take other, much larger, much more important things in my stride? I don't know. But God used that moment to teach me that I can do anything I need to do, and he is there to help me however I need, no matter what is wrong.
God is not present just for the big stuff. He also shows up in the small stuff, when we need him for the daily grind. When we are emotionally spent, no matter what is the cause, God will be there for us. When we need help, if we just call on him, and sometimes even when we don't, he will provide.
Faith is built on small moments. Today, I am grateful for flat tires. They remind us that God is always present, no matter how small the need, or how great the despair.
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