This is from Matt Ogletree’s Facebook page (11 November); Matt gave me a ride from Gallatin Gateway to Belgrade, Montana two days ago:
TIME- Just as we return from the 20 mile delivery and are about to turn on our road, I see a guy walking down the highway. He has the biggest camping pack on I’ve ever seen, looked to well over 100lbs., near approaching a couple hundred pounds! Too bad for him, I had a list of reasons why I couldn’t give him a ride, 1. going wrong direction. 2. in truck so no room in tiny cab with lots of stuff. 3. I’m starving and dinner is going in the oven as we pull in. 4. I just went out of my way to bless someone in need, and was tired now. 5. Someone will see him and pick him up with the gigantic bag nearly crushing him. 6. I’m still getting over this flu, wouldn’t want to get him sick. (I think I had a few more, but they slip my mind.)
It was around the tenth excuse that I realized what I was doing. I was literally in a tooth and nail battle with the Holy Spirit! I just asked publicly and privately for a re invigoration of my Spirit of generosity, and I’d already reached my daily limit? I felt like a turd momentarily, then I set in motion the wheels of obedience.
“B.J., could you please start dinner while I get the car and see if that guy needs a ride?”
“Absolutely Daddy, Love you,” was B.J.’s answer.
So I proceeded to pick up and give a ride to Belgrade, one awesome guy- Tim Shey. He is one of us, a devout follower of Christ and seeker of His will. He has been hitchhiking 17 solid years, covering 38 states. While on the road, he authored two books. He highly recommended that I and my friends read, “HIGH PLAINS DRIFTER”. It’s his book, available at Belgrade Community Library and West Yellowstone Library. He told me of his favorite movies: Gladiator, Man on Fire, and more, but all movies where the protagonist gave his life for a cause greater than themselves. He said that we are to remember Christ’s sacrifice and daily offer up our lives to Him in sacrifice. Tim spoke on Kid’s Ministry, and how as adults we should just read Scripture to them. Let the Holy Spirit work and just give them the Word of God. He was concerned that some adults get caught up when they can’t explain things in a way kids understand or kids just won’t get it. Don’t worry about that whatsoever, said Tim, just offer it to them. I dropped him at McDonalds with Prayer, Blessings, Dinner Money, A business card so that he won’t have to thumb it next time he passes our way, and genuine kinship with another traveling brother of mine.