Today while the kids were working on the patio, I went out with the baby and dd8 to look at something someone was selling on Craig’s List, and then decided to go to a discount store near there that I had never been to, sinceI was in the area already. 

Usually when I go on a drive this long, one of my older kids says tefillas Haderech out loud for everyone.  But today since only dd8 was with me, I chose to stop at an exit so I could park and say it.  I had been feeling a little concerned about what I would do if I got stuck due to car trouble, and once I said tefillas Haderech, that lifted. 

After I did a little shopping (an hour from home) we got in the van, but it wouldn’t start.  I’ve never had any problems or indications of problems, but thought the battery must be dead.  As I walked back toward the store to see about getting assistance, I noticed a vehicle pulling out a few spaces away from me and asked if they were willing to help jump the van, for no reason than because they were the first people I saw.  It was an elderly woman with her middle aged son, and they told me they didn’t have jumper cables, but when I said I did, he agreed to try to jump start the car.  After attaching the jumper cables, it became obvious the problem wasn’t the battery.  I started thinking about what to do next – like get AAA to tow us to a local garage and call my mother or inlaws to come and pick us up – he went back to his car and returned with a paperclip.  He bent it out of shape, slid under the van, fiddled around for a few seconds, and got the car started!  It wasn’t until then that he mentioned he was a mechanic!  He told me that although he got the van started, whatever caused the problem would still be an issue so I shouldn’t stop on my way home or I’d be stuck again. 

After thanking him profusely and resolving mentally to stop at our mechanic and then get a ride home for the three of us from there, I asked what could cause something like that to happen, with no warning or indication of a problem. He told me it was probably a fuse, and then I guess he decided he could check that for me, because right after he answered me, he opened up a panel on the side of the dashboard (I had never noticed it was there!).  He quickly checked the fuses and found one that was burnt out. He told me I could buy a package of them at an automotive store, but then noticed an extra one at the bottom of the panel (kind of like how button down shirts have an extra button as a replacement) and inserted it for me, so now everything is fine!  I was glad I had cash on me so I could offer him something for his help.  He at first refused but I insisted – while it didn’t take him more than ten minutes at the most, he saved me a lot of time, money, and most of all, stress and anxiety. 

I kept thinking about how amazing it was that H-shem directed me to the one person there who would be able to help me.  Lots of people can help jump a car, but how many would have stayed around when that wasn’t the problem?  How many could have found an alternative way to get the car started?  Even if they knew how, how many would be willing to do it for free for a stranger in a parking lot?  And how many would go even further and fix the root of the problem, when the van was already running and I would have been able to get home without any more of his time and assistance?

Aren’t H-shem’s ways amazing?  He arranged my steps all afternoon so that this mechanic and I would be at the same place at the same time, just when I needed help.  Every one of those parts of my day that I didn’t think were going according to my plan were all meant to be exactly as it was. 

Not only am I filled with gratitude for today’s quick resolution of a situation I often have had concerns about occurring, but it reminds me once again how everything happens just as it’s meant to, even when we can’t see why or how.  I’m glad that today I was able to see a little part of the big picture in H-shem’s plans!

Avivah