Thought for the Week
October 18, 2025
My grandfather enjoyed road trips. He would purchase a large AAA map book, and chart out the journey. He would carefully mark all the places he would stop to refuel. “Always keep the top of your gas tank full,” he would say. “Then you don’t have to be worried about the bottom half.”
During my first year of teaching, I drove from Central California, where I was teaching, to Southern Oregon to visit my mom. I prepared for my trip, following carefully my grandfather’s instructions. I bought a large AAA map, marked out the road with a highlighter, and colored red circles where I would stop for gasoline. I filled my gas tank, said a prayer, and drove down the road, following my map which lay on the passenger seat beside me.
For a while I listened to music and enjoyed the ride. The road was wide and the sky was clear. However, the further north I drove, the cloudier the sky became. The sunset faded and the sky grew dark. The wide, straight road, became narrow and winding. I had driven this way many times, so I wasn’t worried, until I hit snow. I was now focused on driving safely on the road. I glanced at my gas gage and then at my map. I started looking for road signs where I would stop to refuel.
Then the fog hit. I was hardly able to see in front of me, much less signs. I completely missed my turn-off. I started looking for signs and towns, but the fog was thick and I was surrounded by snow. I always refill the gas tank before it reaches a quarter of a tank, so I knew I still had time. However, I didn’t want to be stranded by the side of the road. As I drove for over an hour, I prayed not only for safety, but that God would help me get to a gas station before running out of fuel.
As I drove, I watched the gas gage drop to “E”. Then it went past “E.” I didn’t know the needle went down that low. Then the fuel light went on. I looked up in despair. At that point, the fog cleared and there in front of me was a sign to Weed, California. I took the exit and coasted down the hill into the gas station. Then my car stopped.
A gas attendant waved to me, “Hey, could you pull up closer to the tank?”
I pushed on the gas pedal. Nothing happened. I tried to start the car. Still nothing happened. I rolled down my window. “I’m out of gas.”
The gas attendant motioned to another attendant, and the two pushed my car to the closest gas tank. As he filled my tank, he told me how lucky I was. “It wasn’t luck,” I told him. “It was prayer.”
Sometimes in life we do all we can to prepare for the journey. We have God’s Word as a guide. We are filled with His presence and power and are ready to take on whatever lies ahead. Then we encounter circumstances beyond our control. Life turns a curve we didn’t expect. Problems fall on us like a snow storm, and insecurity may fog our vision. Eventually we focus on survival for ourselves or others, and without realizing it, we are drained, empty, and can go no further. God doesn’t prevent these times from happening, but He is there with us enabling us to complete the journey, however hard it may be. He sends friends or sometimes even strangers to come along beside us to help us refuel.
“For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish.”
Jeremiah 31:25 ESV
“Yet, the strength of those who wait with hope in the Lord will be renewed. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and won’t become weary. They will walk and won’t grow tired.” Isaiah 40:31 GW
Are you feeling empty or overwhelmed? Take time this week to pause in life’s chaos, and allow God to replenish your soul. Then, look around you, and help others who need refueling, too.
--Tracy