Sometimes the most random turn of events can take us to just the right spot in just the right moment.
I walked into my apartment at 9 pm on January 31st and suddenly remembered I had $50 of Build Then Bless money that wasn’t going to roll over into the next month, so I ran to the grocery store and bought a restaurant gift card. I tucked it into my purse and planned to keep an eye out for someone who needed it over the next few days.
The next afternoon, I was coming home from a walk with my roommates when I remembered that my beloved baby blue Subaru, Alice, was on her last quarter tank of gas. I walk almost everywhere I go (or happily serve as my roommate’s passenger princess), and I didn’t have plans for any big trips. For whatever reason, though, my dad’s voice kept echoing in the back of my head with his classic advice: “Always drive off of the top half of your gas tank.” I love my dad and highly value his wisdom, but I’ve never been good about sticking to that tip. In that moment though, I felt like I needed to go fill up my tank. Right then.
I’ve Never Taken Longer to Check My Oil
My roommates and I hopped in Alice and headed to the nearest gas station. As I got out of my car, the man on the other side of the pump gave me a friendly smile and hello, and I instantly knew the gift card was for him. As I paid for my gas, I started working up the courage to talk to him. I was so sad when he finished pumping his gas and got in his car before I had the chance.
I dejectedly started washing my windows as my car filled up, but he didn’t leave. After each window, I told myself, “Go give him the gift card before he leaves.” And after each window, my socially anxious side won out, and I just kept squeegeeing. After several minutes of making Alice spotless, checking the oil, and hyping myself up, the tank was finally full, and I was ready to go. And my new friend was miraculously still sitting in his car, typing something on his phone.
Going for the Build Then Bless
With my roommates acting as my bodyguards from the car, I hesitantly tapped on his window. I explained that I get money from my job each month to do something nice for someone and held out the gift card. “I just saw you and said, ‘Oh that’s for you!'” I told him. He looked surprised, but quickly smiled and thanked me.
We didn’t chat long, and I’ll never know why he needed that pick-me-up, but I feel pretty certain that he did. Sometimes the most random turn of events can take us to just the right spot in just the right moment. Sometimes we just need to have the courage to step out of our comfort zone and seize those simple, perfect moments to bless those around us. And I’m grateful for Build Then Bless and the resources it gives me to make these meaningful experiences possible.
