Vacation Of A Lifetime
Stories
Lectionary Tales For The Pulpit
Series II Cycle A
Phil and Paula, along with their four young children, planned a two-week vacation in the western states. Their plan was to fly to Denver and then rent a car and drive through the Rocky Mountains. As their vacation date approached the entire family was excited. This would be their first visit out west. They would have two full weeks to enjoy the sights without worrying about the hassles of their jobs. It would be wonderful.
When they arrived in Denver they were so happy. The older children stood taking pictures of the distant mountains while the young children took pictures of just about everything else. They had made plans but did not want to be on a tight schedule so they could enjoy themselves.
Something unexpected happened on Saturday afternoon. As they were driving on a deserted section of the highway they hit a deer. Fortunately no one was hurt but the rental car could no longer be driven. By this time they were close to five hundred miles from where they rented the car. They were stranded for several hours in the middle of nowhere, Paula explains. When help finally arrived it was late in the afternoon, so they checked into a motel in the nearby town. Paula called the toll free number of the car rental agency to inform them what had happened, hoping they would be able to get another car the next day so they could continue their vacation. Nothing like this had ever happened to them and they hoped the car rental company would be able to help them.
The next morning, Sunday morning, Phil told Paula that he and the children were going to church. When they were home they attended church every week. Faith played an important role for this family. Paula said she would stay in the motel room and try again to call the insurance company and the car rental agency. She did not know what they would do if they could not get help.
Phil and the kids discovered something at the church they had not anticipated. People from the church cared about them even though they had never met them before.
Phil explained what had happened and how they were stranded without a car. The people in that church showed love and concern for them. One family invited them to Sunday dinner. Another family offered them the use of their fully equipped van for the day. The man handed Phil the keys. He said there was a state park sixty miles away that would be great for them to visit. "You go and enjoy yourself," he said smiling.
Paula could hardly believe it. She had spent an hour with no luck trying to get help from the car rental company, which left her frustrated. Meanwhile her husband and children went to church only to discover people who cared about them. They were total strangers and they were offered the use of a van. Paula wondered how they knew they would return with the van. This was a lesson in faith and trust that Phil and Paula would not forget. God was with them on their journey.
When they arrived in Denver they were so happy. The older children stood taking pictures of the distant mountains while the young children took pictures of just about everything else. They had made plans but did not want to be on a tight schedule so they could enjoy themselves.
Something unexpected happened on Saturday afternoon. As they were driving on a deserted section of the highway they hit a deer. Fortunately no one was hurt but the rental car could no longer be driven. By this time they were close to five hundred miles from where they rented the car. They were stranded for several hours in the middle of nowhere, Paula explains. When help finally arrived it was late in the afternoon, so they checked into a motel in the nearby town. Paula called the toll free number of the car rental agency to inform them what had happened, hoping they would be able to get another car the next day so they could continue their vacation. Nothing like this had ever happened to them and they hoped the car rental company would be able to help them.
The next morning, Sunday morning, Phil told Paula that he and the children were going to church. When they were home they attended church every week. Faith played an important role for this family. Paula said she would stay in the motel room and try again to call the insurance company and the car rental agency. She did not know what they would do if they could not get help.
Phil and the kids discovered something at the church they had not anticipated. People from the church cared about them even though they had never met them before.
Phil explained what had happened and how they were stranded without a car. The people in that church showed love and concern for them. One family invited them to Sunday dinner. Another family offered them the use of their fully equipped van for the day. The man handed Phil the keys. He said there was a state park sixty miles away that would be great for them to visit. "You go and enjoy yourself," he said smiling.
Paula could hardly believe it. She had spent an hour with no luck trying to get help from the car rental company, which left her frustrated. Meanwhile her husband and children went to church only to discover people who cared about them. They were total strangers and they were offered the use of a van. Paula wondered how they knew they would return with the van. This was a lesson in faith and trust that Phil and Paula would not forget. God was with them on their journey.
