dna - lifestyle of generosity

Here’s what I mean by a Lifestyle of generosity: it’s not fulltime work, and not necessarily spending every second working with others. It’s simply the willingness to meet the needs of others as they arise. In other words, making ourselves available when needed. Obviously we won’t be able to be a superhero in every situation. There are just times when you know that you know that you should help out.

One night after I moved back to Oklahoma, I was driving home to my parents’ house. It was probably around 11:00, so after most people are already home. As I exited the highway, I pulled up to the stop-light behind another car. When the light turned green, he started to drive, and then his car pounded into the ground. His wheel had fallen off. Seriously. The bolts that hold the wheel to the car had snapped, and his wheel fell off. He throws the door open, yelling many choice words, and starts kicking the car.

Everything inside of me wanted to get out of there. It’s probably the smartest thing in this situation, right? He looked like one of those guys that you know is young enough to not care about really doing something stupid to you. On the outside, he just looked like a thug. I had no reason to trust this guy. I don’t know why, but I turned my car off and walked out there to offer help. It turns out he had just bought that car on the north side of Tulsa, and was now on the opposite side of town with no way out.

This was the crux of an absolutely horrible day for this young man. He had lost his job, couldn’t find his friends, and now the car he just bought that day (obviously from a reputable dealer) had fallen apart. I felt horrible for him. I pulled out my cell phone for him to call for a ride and, wouldn’t you know it, my phone ran out of batteries right as he hit the call button.

One of my biggest character flaws is that I’m an inappropriate laugher. I laugh at the worst most awkward times, and this just happened to be one of those times. I couldn’t control myself. Help, me with my phone, was available for that guy right then, and then my mode of help became worthless. The one glimmer of hope for him was completely shut down. What’s great, though, was that I was able to share that joy despite the utter crappiness of his day. He was able to smile and see the humor in his situation. He was at a point that there was nothing to do but laugh.

He turned down a ride… I think he didn’t want to leave his car. But he thanked me for trying to help. His demeanor was completely different than when I initially saw him. Although I wasn’t able to remedy his situation, I was in a place where I could offer some worth. I knew that I should help, and before my phone died I thought that I had the ability. By grace, the situation was better when I left than when I arrived, with just a simple offer of hope & joy.

Keep it going….

dj