The Box Fan Miracle
© Leslie Householder
Author of #5 National Best-seller, "The Jackrabbit Factor: Why You Can"
ThoughtsAlive.com

A man I met several years ago told of an experience he had. As I listened to his story, I learned a valuable lesson that has made a big difference in the way I look at adversity.

His name is John. John was travelling a significant distance with some business associates in a large and very expensive motorhome. It was very important for him to get to a meeting where he would be the key speaker. As they motored along, he realized that the engine was beginning to overheat. One associate was concerned that John was going to ruin the engine if he didn't just pull over and wait for help. John knew plenty about auto repair, but needed the tools. Also, they were so far from civilization in any direction that to wait for a tow would be simply unacceptable. It would take too long to get to where he needed to go, and the tow fee for a rig as big as his was so significant, he didn't even entertain the idea. He pushed that motorhome and kept going.

As they approached a final hill before the next town, again the associate warned John that he should stop. He said, "John, even if we DO get to the next town, it's Sunday, and there won't be any shops open to repair the motorhome anyway." John turned to him, weary of this man's "bad attitude", and said, "I am NOT going to stop this until I HAVE to!" He did not allow himself to worry about the possible damage to the engine, nor did he concern himself with closed auto shops in the next town; he bull-headedly focused on his destination and kept faith that SOMEhow he would find the way to make it on time.

Then his mind began to think... what did the rig need to stay cool? The engine fan had stopped, the engine needed air circulation to keep cool. He had a large box fan, so he used duct tape and fastened it to the front grill of the motorhome, ran the cord through the window, plugged it in, and hiked that final hill. What a picture that must have been to any oncoming traffic! They pulled into a Burger King, and sat at a table contemplating what to do next.

As they talked about their predicament, a Burger King employee overheard them and said, "Hey, I own an auto shop, take the keys, open it up, and you can use my equipment." They were soon on their way and John accomplished exactly what he had set out to do.

This is the point: John's "miracle" was waiting in that town the whole time. He met the Lord half way, by doing ALL that he knew how to do first, and having the faith that the Lord would make up the difference. That is life... that is how we need to approach all of our problems, be it financial, emotional, spiritual, social...

We must do all we can to get ourselves to that miracle we seek, and TRUST Him, because THAT is where we find it. We mustn't let that final hill, the hardest part, discourage us; for there is no witness until AFTER the trial of our faith.