Beginning of Long Weekend

My weekend has been far from relaxing so far, but that’s not anyone’s fault. It’s the first semester’s “Long Weekend” at St. John’s: from seminar on Thursday night to seminar on Monday night we have no classes. After work today, I assumed I would say goodbye to those who were leaving to visit family and go camping, etc., but that took about two hours longer than I anticipated. Then it was suddenly brought to my attention that Chris needed a ride to work. I was able to help, using Tabitha’s car, and then was confronted with the reality that Tabitha’s car would not be available to me at eleven o’clock when Chris’s shift would end. I didn’t want to leave him stranded. He can’t walk. He could get a cab, but I knew that would be a pain for him. After that I restlessly tried to read Tacitus, and didn’t get very far at all, thinking all the time about how painful it would be to tell Chris he needed to call a cab. Here, it seems, should have been my first big cue to pray, but I fretted instead. And this was all compounded with the fact that Ruth Anne was hoping that I had arranged a ride for her to go to BWI on Saturday morning (because I said I would), while I hadn’t. Tabitha’s car could have possibly been available to me then, but it wasn’t guaranteed. The only safe option was to escort her there by means of the light rail, which takes much longer than anyone prefers. This second fact was another cue to pray, but I fretted instead.
I saw a solution, but I really didn’t want to try it. I didn’t want to call my buddy Tim and ask him for his car. I haven’t talked to Tim in weeks; he left for the Philippines over a month ago, and the past two weeks that he’s been in the States I have been unable to spend time with him despite his invitations. I abhor the thought of seeming as if I expect others to give me favors. Aristotle remarked that the favor-giving-favor-taking relationship is a false friendship, at best called a “friendship of utility.” I cracked and called Tim. After reaching him finally and explaining my situation, he said that he could possibly be able to help me. Only then, after hanging up the phone, did that nagging and blessed conscience of mine provoke me to pray and ask God for a ride for Chris and Ruth Anne. Tanya, Tim’s wife, called me moments ago and told me that she would drop the car off with me tonight and reclaim it on Sunday, giving me permission to use it all Saturday also. I considered it especially amazing because I hadn’t told them about Ruth Anne’s need for a ride on Saturday morning at all. I sat back and praised God. And then I called Ruth Anne and praised God. And then I told Danny and praised God.
Now I’m going to nap until I receive the car. Praise God. (More to come on this epic Long Weekend.)