THE GROUCHY GAS PUMPER conclusion
They looked like the typical modern all-American kids. Short hair, fairly clean and neat clothes, pristine tennis shoes, unshaven cool. As they pushed their car into the gas station I was waiting to fill up mine. I probably unfairly summed them up – the sun was going down and they were coming out… “Probably been playing video games all day,” I thought to myself.
When they asked me for money so they could get gas for their car I began to ask questions. “You go to school”? was one of my first questions. It took some time before I finally got out of them that they attended one of the schools for trouble makers, goof-offs, and the slow learners.
That gave us something in common…My mind jumped back in time to my high school days when I was about their age. Before they had those type of schools they had certain teachers whom the dregs of the school would follow from unused classroom to unused classroom just to keep us from disrupting the regular classrooms. I heard kids threaten the teacher’s life on a regular basis; cussing the teacher was a daily occurrence. It’s hard to see a bright future from those kids perspective…
“You have plans after school is done”? I asked the driver. “I’m gonna work for my dad I guess,” he answered without enthusiasm. “I’m gonna go to a trade school”! the shotgun passenger proudly announced. As I chatted with the young men my heart was grieved for them. I threw out a few pieces of advice before the driver asked a direct question – it was more of a plea, “Can you give me or tell me something that will motivate me”?
“What”?! – I asked, hearing just fine as I continued, “You want me to give you desire, passion, and perseverance”?!!! He knew he’d hit a nerve as he stood respectfully and listened to me rant, all three of them did. “I’ll give you some advice that’s worth light years more than gas for your car,” I spoke earnestly.
I went on to share with them the truths that were shared with me when I was young, the things our generation got from the ones before us that we’ve done a woeful job of passing on to our next generation.
These kids weren’t bad kids, it’s my opinion that they’ve been neglected. Those kids were desperately seeking guidance and acceptance from the older generation. I’ve given the life speech so often, it’s like second nature to me. All the lacrosse girls in years gone by have heard it and a new group of girls are hearing this year.
Most importantly I shared with the three young men about my faith, “Without my faith in God, I’m not me.” – “Don’t believe the lies of the secular world that tell you you’re not special – that you’re here by chance”! – “That’s a lie”! ” – You have a purpose”! … … “You have computers”? I asked. “Yeah,” they answered in stereo… Of course this generation has computers… Just not gas… Sheeeesh.
“Do me a favor, Google “Finding Floyd,” I told them, not that I’m overly eloquent, but I try to write the truth from a Biblical perspective and we were now holding up the line behind us after talking far longer than was appropriate. “I would love to know years from now that you’ll tell someone about the guy you met at a gas station who helped change your life”! I told them.
By then they’ll have learned there is no such thing as a chance meeting in God’s world…Not with this grouchy gas pumper….
April
Friday, June 15, 2012 @ 6:08 am
My heart always breaks for those kids that parents, teacher, life neglects. I pray that these guys will have taken the truth to heart!
Floyd
Friday, June 15, 2012 @ 7:30 am
Thanks April. That’s all we can do… The rest is up to God. I’m with you, it grieves me to see what happens when kids have to raise themselves.
tcavey
Friday, June 15, 2012 @ 7:19 am
So wonderful that you took the time to share, so many of us don’t. We look at our watches and think we don’t have time. But Jesus always made time, it didn’t matter if he was hungry or tired and it shouldn’t matter with us either.
Great lesson to share.
We need to embrace the opportunities God places in front of us- we never know if we have just planted a seed for the next Billy Graham. We also never know the damage we can cause by not being an ambassador for Christ.
I see kids today, you’re right. They want hope, they want guidance and they want love. God provides all that and more!
Floyd
Friday, June 15, 2012 @ 7:33 am
Thanks TC. Not exactly a willing heart, but that’s nothing new for me! The best part is that God always has His way… That’s the best part of all of us. Without structure as children the generations will continue to struggle more and more. Without Christ it’s a losing proposition.
bill (cycleguy)
Friday, June 15, 2012 @ 8:25 am
NEVER a chance meeting Floyd. Well said.
Floyd
Friday, June 15, 2012 @ 9:01 am
Thanks Bill. We have an accord…
Jason Stasyszen
Friday, June 15, 2012 @ 4:15 pm
Totally agree, Floyd. There is nothing chance about meetings like that and we may not understand it all now, but there is an eternal deposit that happens. Thanks sir!
Hazel Moon
Friday, June 15, 2012 @ 6:46 pm
We may question that a word or a lot of words spoken in a “chanch meeting” will do much good. When the youth of today reach out to the older generation, they are searching for truth that they are not hearing elsewhere.
As I read this, I was hoping that you gave them a similar talk that you give to your Lacrosse girls. You did just that. Good for you.!
Floyd
Friday, June 15, 2012 @ 11:34 pm
Thanks Hazel. You’re right, they are reaching out, their souls are reaching out before their minds are completely polluted by the world. Sometimes I think it would be easier for a duck to pull a plow than me to keep my mouth shut!
Floyd
Friday, June 15, 2012 @ 11:05 pm
Thank you Jason. I could use a few more “eternal deposits,” that’s for sure!
Nancy
Friday, June 15, 2012 @ 6:41 pm
Woo Hoo! You go Floyd! God will use us in spite of of ourselves when our hearts are fully committed.
Randy and I have run into such kids and hopefully were a link-in-the-chain to help put them back of track! Glad you didn’t shy away without giving them Motivation!
Floyd
Friday, June 15, 2012 @ 11:31 pm
Thanks Nancy. I can’t! I want so much for these kids! What I wouldn’t give to reach them for His purpose and their understanding…
Ngina Otiende
Friday, June 15, 2012 @ 7:01 pm
Nothing like Chance meeting in God’s world. So true.
Floyd
Friday, June 15, 2012 @ 11:36 pm
Nope, nothing is left up to “chance.” How cool is it to know that our Father is in control and watching out for us and letting us be part of something so significant in the lives of others?
Effie-Alean Gross
Friday, June 15, 2012 @ 8:06 pm
Floyd,
I don’t believe in chance encounters. Have you ever heard the song, “Thank You”? It reveals that when we get to heaven, we’ll discover those whose lives we’ve touched. Thanks for taking time to share your wisdom.
Floyd
Friday, June 15, 2012 @ 11:38 pm
I don’t think I have heard that song? I do believe that God will allow us to see some of the good things we did when we get to heaven. And thank you for taking the time to read some of my ramblings.
Dan Black
Friday, June 15, 2012 @ 9:36 pm
Great story and opportunity. Thank you for sharing.
Floyd
Friday, June 15, 2012 @ 11:41 pm
Thanks for being part of it Dan, I’m honored.
Betty Draper
Sunday, June 17, 2012 @ 4:46 pm
Nothing is wasted my brother…your past is exactly what those kids needed to hear from. You have gained such wisdom and they are seekers whether they know it or not. How sweet of God to set up that little encounter…how sweet. Blessings.
Floyd
Sunday, June 17, 2012 @ 6:37 pm
Thanks Betty. I just need to be a little more open to changing my schedule for the things that truly matter…
Diane
Tuesday, June 19, 2012 @ 4:39 pm
Good reading as always!!! how do you subscribe? do I sound like an idiot? hahahaha keep up the good work Floyd!!!
Floyd
Tuesday, June 19, 2012 @ 5:09 pm
Thanks Diane. No you don’t sound like an idiot… and that comes from someone that knows a bit about idiots! Click on the envelope just to the right of the “F” for Facebook and follow the prompts. I’ll do my best to keep it up and the same to you now! Looking forward to your posts.