A Man Called Snake

“Judge not that ye be not judged.” (Matthew 7:1)

It was a rare shopping get-a-way without children. Once they took care of the home fronts, the two friends were on their way. Having left a little later than planned, the trip lasted longer than expected. On the way home, they had a flat tire in the middle of nowhere. There were no streetlights and no vehicles in sight. Two women alone on a now dark, deserted road, with only basic knowledge of how to change a tire, began tackling the problem at hand.

The families at home would be concerned, but there was no way to contact them; there were no portable phones then, and still a thirty-minute drive ahead of them. Then, a vehicle drove up slowly, and the man asked if he could help. Although taught to be cautious regarding strangers, the man seemed okay, and being on the desperate side, they accepted his help. When he stepped out of his car, dressed in black, with noticeable tattoos, and introduced himself as Snake, there were a few moments of uneasiness. But that feeling quickly dissipated. He was a kind and courteous gentleman who came to the rescue of two women in distress. In almost no time, he changed the tire. They repeatedly thanked him, and with a “God bless you,” parted ways, and the friends continued their journey home.

Sadly, the women initially judged their “rescuer” by appearances. Would they have felt more at ease had Snake fit a different profile? Possibly. But it would not have affected his reaction; he reacted to a need according to his character and was a blessing. The flat tire was a teaching moment. A road-sign message reads: Don’t judge a person just because their sin is different from yours. This message applies to outward appearances as well. Thank you, Snake.