Calling All Protectors

My car broke down today. The weather was bad, windy, sleet, bad visibility and while driving to work on the highway, my wipers collided with each other and became a tangled mess. I calmly put on my hazard lights, slowly made my way over to the slow lane from the middle lane, and with God's help came to a safe stop in the breakdown lane. God was watching over me, protecting me and my vehicle. I could have the attitude and self-pity of why me, I need to get to work, there is so much to get done there, oh another unexpected bill to pay, and inconvenience. But no, I was at peace and happy to be home writing this article.

Just earlier in my commute, I received a phone call from my sister. She was so excited and happy about our new Pope. I'm feeling good too because I am loving more and more of what I see and read about Pope Francis. As a Jesuit, he took up the vows of poverty. He knows first hand of what it means to be humble. The stories are out there about him taking the bus to work as the Cardinal of Buenos Aries Argentina. He asked for the people of Argentina to stay home and not to visit Rome for his inauguration and with the money saved in air fare he requested it be given to the poor. And when he went out into the crowd in St. Peter's Square, shook hands with people and held babies, that demonstrated his faith, courage, love and ability to serve the people in Jesus' name. And after reading his Homily for inaugural Mass of Petrine Ministry it touched me and caused me to reflect on his message of protection. I was written in pure simplicity that all humans can find in their heart what the root message being delivered is.

As I rode back in the tow truck, I got to know the driver. Young man with a young wife and child at home. I can sense he was calling out for some advice, a listening ear and ray of light on this gloomy day. His story, initially, was not uncommon. Married man, 29yo with a 1yo daughter and 22yo wife. We talked about my old car and my affinity to it. The car is great on gas and it's paid. This led into a discussion about money and marriage. I can tell he was struggling with his prior life as a free young man hanging out with friends at bars, and with his new life with his wife an daughter. I encouraged him to be a loving husband and a father. I really thought I was ministering to him. What he shared next was uncommon. He essentially adopted his wife's younger 12yo sister and 16yo brother. This tow truck driver now has an instant family. He promised his mother-in-law before she passed away with cancer, that he would take them in and help raise them. He is their light, their protector. I pray that he can continue to make wise choices, and have faith in his role of leading this family. What an amazing thing to do. The kids could have gone into the foster child system because their biological dad is absent. This humble tow-truck driver, not going back on his word to his dying mother-in-law, kept his covenant, and took in these children and is a loving role model for them. He is protecting their innocence, their adolescence, their future from uncertainty. This remind me on what the Pope Francis said in his homily. How Saint Joseph accepted Mary's pregnancy and raised a child that was not biologically his.

I'm still waiting for the call from the mechanics. I'm hoping that my car will be repaired and all that all is require is a couple of wipers and a fuse. Whatever the cost, it was all well worth it to read the homily today and to get to know my tow truck driver and share his story. Please pray for people like him who protect the less fortunate and pray for Pope Francis.

Amen. In his service.