A few years ago...

We were planning to drive from Houston to Dallas for Christmas, after 4 Christmas Eve services and one Christmas morning service.

The kids and Alicia were excited to see the grandparents and to meet a new sister in law and her kids.

Houston to Dallas after the morning service. That was the plan.

The minivan breaking down two and a half hours from home, halfway to Dallas was not in the plan. But random automotive failure made us its victim.

We pulled off the road in Fairfield Texas. Into the empty parking lot of a gas station. Nothing was open.

We decided to limp along to Dallas. As we pulled onto the freeway I noticed the Motel 6. It was sparkling like a diamond. I am not exaggerating. Like a diamond. But I thought “I’m glad that we’re not going to be stuck in a motel tonight”.

11 miles later the van broke down irreparably. I phoned our towing service. After another 45 minutes a tow truck came up from behind. No garage was open until tomorrow, the driver explained. But he would take us back to Fairfield and drop us at the Motel 6.

Alicia and the kids were crying. All of us were deeply disappointed in what was becoming our worst Christmas ever. As Alicia and the kids pulled luggage out of the crippled van, I went in to secure a room.

The woman behind the counter had a name badge that said Delois. She had a pleasant smile on her black face as she asked how she could help. I said I needed a room because our van had broken down en route to Dallas. She said she could give us a $15 break on the room, maybe that would help. I thanked her.

Feeling dejected and in need of prayer and sensing a warmth from her I asked “Are you a person of faith?” She said she was and I said perhaps she could pray for my family who were having a bad day. She said she could do that, then added “I’m having a kind of bad day too.” I thought “Of course you are; you’re behind the counter at Motel 6”, but said nothing. She continued “My only child, my 8 year old daughter, died in a car accident 3 months ago today. She loved Christmas. This is a hard day for me.”

I had 2 reactions nearly simultaneously. The first was an attitude adjustment. Quit feeling sorry for yourself, Rick. You and your family are safe and merely inconvenienced.

The second was as close to the audible voice of God as I’ve ever come.

“This is why I brought you here”.

Suddenly the world changed. We were not victims of random automotive failure. We had been sent by God to care for a wounded soul.

When Alicia came in and learned of Delois’ circumstances, she came around the counter and embraced her. She took off a silver pin, a circle of angels, and pinned it onto Delois. “Never forget that God’s angels are watching over you”, she said. We held hands and prayed with her.

Then I thought of the food we had brought in from the van. “Delois, what are you doing for Christmas Dinner?”

“I’m not having Christmas dinner. I have to work here at the counter”, she replied.

“Well, Delois, we have chicken enchiladas, cranberry relish, fudge, and shortbread. Why don’t we bring it in here and you can join us for a Christmas dinner right here in the lobby?”

It would up becoming one of our most treasured Christmas memories. And it reminded me that the first Christmas also involved travelers who stayed in a place they never expected to be, and wound up sharing an unforgettable experience of God at work.