I've had some days recently that I wouldn't wish on anyone. They have been difficult and made me wonder about my own value and worth. Of course, you hear that God loves you and is within reach, but sometimes it is not that easy to believe.
I love to take photos and today, with the first snow, I decided I wanted to take some while my kids were in school. As I was driving to a place I love to go in Alpine, I noticed I was being followed by a truck. It didn't concern me much, I was just aware of it. As I made it to my destination, I made a U-turn and a very old man pulled up (in the truck that had been following me) and rolled down his window trying to talk to me. He told me he wanted to follow me down the road and I didn't understand what he meant. Feeling no threat, I went up to his window and then I realized he was crying...a lot. He then told me he had been lost for over 2 hours. I asked him if he had a phone number of someone I could call and he said his wife was getting her hair done and she wouldn't answer. I asked where she was getting her hair done and he said "beats me". I then asked him what his name was and he didn't seem to know. He said he had a daughter that lived in Alpine and he was going to drive to her house. I could tell he didn't want my help anymore when I asked if I could call the police for help. I could tell his dignity was fighting to stay intact when he said was going to drive to his daughter's house and he knew EXACTLY where he was going. He really wanted to leave so I decided to follow him to make sure he reached his destination. As I assumed, he drove all over Alpine into neighborhoods and dead end streets. At this point, I had already decided to call the police and was on the phone with dispatch as I followed him around town. We drove all over the place and he was not driving slow...about 40 in a 25 mile an hour zone. One police officer passed me initially going the other direction, but when I saw the second one (who was looking for us) I waved to him and he turned around. Then we turned right onto another road and another officer saw us and did a U-turn and finally pulled him over. Three officers came in all and I was asked to stay for a bit. They talked to him and got him out of his vehicle. I could see he had wet his pants and an officer also got him a tissue for his runny nose. He was wearing a retired Air Force hat and I couldn't help but think how much I respected this man and hoped that he would understand that I did what I felt I needed to do. I was able to leave as they found a family member who was coming to get him and felt relieved that he wasn't driving around lost anymore.
As I left the scene, I felt something I have been struggling to feel lately...WORTH. I felt that God had put ME in the right place at the right time to help someone who needed help and I actually was able to help him. I knew this man was desperately needing some help, but also was embarrassed to be so lost. This experience was something I needed to help me understand that I am useful to God and that he trusted me enough to help someone in need. He knew that I was willing and that I truly desire to help others whenever I can. This was an experience I needed today, as nothing else has been getting through to me. I thank God for using me in a way that helped me remember I am of worth to Him and I can be of use in doing good. It has helped me come up from a dark place into one with some light. Today,I not only have recognized the worth of others to God, but my worth to God as well.
