LEARNING HOW TO PULL & PUSH

You know, in life we never stop learning!    We learn from books, teachers, parents, friends, google, and a myriad of other sources.  Not all of the sources available are accurate or worth giving our time and energy to.   But there are needs and events that crop up which seem to place us in the “now it’s time to learn how to ……” and you can fill in the blank.    Having to learn new things can be intimidating to me. 

This particular morning I was on my way home from a meeting and when I saw the “E” for empty on my gas indicator, I fortunately viewed an upcoming service station ahead of me.  My first thought was to wait a few days until my husband was home and let him do the task of filling the tank.   But to be honest, my reason for hesitation was that I didn’t know “how to do this task,” and felt uncomfortable attempting this on my own.   It may sound simplistic to you; but in moving to this new country there were dozens and dozens of “changes and challenges” that God was helping me overcome, and I wasn’t up to how to “pump gas” into the tank.  

This new day brought a new opportunity of moving out of my “comfort zone” (where I secretly enjoy living) and face a new “inner fear” of such a practical task in life.  God wants to help us face all our fears, large or small, huge or insignificant, with His strength and help.  

As I came within a block of the service station, I made the decision to pull into the area and asked the Lord to help me, in whatever way He chose, in this “new venture.”

You know we can say, “Well, I trust the Lord;” but it wasn’t until I pulled into the service station and got out of the car did I show by my actions that I was actively going to trust Him.    He wants to meet “all our needs,” not just some of them.   And believe me, living close to “empty” on my gas gauge was a need I was experiencing.

This “now it’s time to learn how to fill your car’s gas tank in the country of Australia” class came into my personal focus.   I was dangerously close to empty, and so I thought it best to make an appearance in the “how to fill your gas tank” class registration.

Moving to a different country with many varied cultural and practical ways of doing life can be very STRESSFUL.   This recent encounter with a service station was one of my new adventures.  Trust me on this one, not all service stations are the same as my home country. 

The everyday automotive task of filling your car with gas, or petrol as the term is used in our new location, is one that my husband usually handles on a routine basis.   I must say that enjoying the scenery from the passenger’s seat while this task is being carried out is most relaxing.  In all honesty, I’ve been spoiled. 

On this particular week my husband was out of the country and the gas tank was announcing that it was hovering on empty and something needed to be done about the situation.   In that I was the only one “in town and available,” the assignment arrived at my personal doorstep.

It’s now time to say that, prior to this event, I was not shown “how” to perform this rather simple task.     Well, it was simple from where I used to live, but here in a new country I had no idea what to do.  I went under the assumption that all service stations were equal….and they are not!

If the events of that day were recorded on video and posted on You Tube, we would have over a thousand internet visits by now.  I approached the station slowly and with caution.  Before arriving at the pump, I needed to locate which side of the car the opening was to refill the tank.    I’d like to speak to the manufacturer on this one, because there were no pictures on the dash showing me where the filling spout was located.

Upon arrival at an appropriate gas pump I asked the Lord for help.  Goodness knows, He knew I needed assistance.   My eyes were busy searching out for the first person in sight.   Yes, I found one and she was just completing her fill up and looked available.   I introduced my first need.   I wanted to know where to place my credit card to pay for my upcoming purchase.  She was smiling from ear to ear, and I’m not certain if that was her normal demeanor, or she was about to burst into laughter at the ignorance being displayed before her.   We both had a laugh though and that helped me relax.

She was very astute and quickly advised me of my options.  I could grab that hose with the enlarged handle and fill the car at that point and pay afterwards; or, I could take my card inside the station and pay there.    So without delay, I pranced into the building, with my confidence building.  

My cell phone camera should have been in operation capturing the cash attendant’s facial features.  He viewed my approach to his counter with an odd smile (at least I interpreted it as a smile).    I didn’t expect a lengthy conversation; so I handed him my card and shared that I wanted to fill up the car and then come back in to pay the amount.

Then the unanticipated dialogue began.  “What part of the United States are you from?”   I knew better than to say, “How did you know I was from America?”   It’s obvious for Australians to detect your accent.  My brief question gave away my cultural roots.   After the “interview” with the station clerk, he told me what to do.   Now, with that under my belt, I went back out to the car.    At first I couldn’t open the little door that held the opening to the tank.    Another obvious detail I wasn’t informed about. 

After perusing the dash board area of my vehicle and all the buttons, I located a picture that looked like a release button for the tank area.

Time didn’t permit me to look around to see if anyone was observing this show of “automotive ignorance” with this woman trying her best to just simply fill up her car.   I was focused now and on a mission.   How difficult could it be, I had all my instructions memorized.   I opened the tank door, located the pump, pulled it towards the gas opening and then another obstacle arose.    Where in the world is the latch you pull or push to get the gas flowing?

Breathing deeply now, I began asking the pump handle (under my breath of course) where in the world do I make it work as there was no latch to press or pull.   By now my confidence was out of touch with reality; and it was apparent that I needed to meet another” new friend” in the pump area of the service station for further directions.   I verbally grabbed the first person I saw and shared my dilemma.   

It’s amazing how helpful people can be when you’re in a “pickle at the pump.”    Her instructions were clear as a bell.  “Just press the button!”

Quite obvious, if you know where the button is located.   My eyes took a quick inventory of the handle…..I couldn’t see anything that resembled a button.    By now this woman had the same “ear-to-ear smile” the last gal had; and I doubt it was her personality oozing out.   She was exercising restraint from bursting out in hysterical laughter.  The facts, plain and simple were, she couldn’t believe I didn’t see the “obvious.”

The button that everyone was referring to was HUGE and right on top.  As I’m asking, “Is this the one?”   “Yes, she responded.  Just PULL the pump out and PUSH the button.”    The gas came guzzling out into the car tank.   I was thrilled, to say the least.    I stood there proud as a peacock that the liquid was flowing effortlessly into my car at lightning speed.  

Now it was time to reconnect with my third “new friend” inside the station at the cash register.    May I say at this point of the story that I was so pleased there were no other customers in the store.   The attendant took the card, made the needed deductions from it and just looked at me with a big smile.   “See you again!”   I couldn’t exit the store fast enough.

When I pulled away I thought to myself, “Well, I’ve just shown my ignorance to three new friends, and all three were smiles through the process.    I also assumed that all three people would be sharing about their laughable episodes observing me at the gas station at their dinner table that night.   But it didn’t matter to me, because this new learning curve brought smiles to three strangers and helped me realize that God would provide my “every need”……through three new people who loved to laugh; and it didn’t matter that I was the object of their joy.   Who knows, I may see them again at another “gas-filling event.”

What “needs” are you currently facing that God would like to be a part of?