The Moment

Jim Palmer is telling the story of a night, long ago, when he was driving cab. I read it and asked myself, 'Would I have taken that fare? Would I have gotten out of the car that night?' I'd like to think the answer is yes. The truth is that it depends on what day it is, it depends on what kind of mood I'm in.

Once we recognize God in the moment it's very easy to do the right thing. And the trick isn't in recognizing God in the moment, it's in making the choices that take you to that moment - because God always comes with a choice.

It's a post worth reading. I haven't yet picked up Jim's new book, but Divine Nobodies (on the sidebar) is well worth the read - absolutely wonderful. I highly recommend it.

Update on February 8, 2008 by [rhymes with kerouac]

I'm sure Jim didn't mean for that story to sound like it was his own, but impossible to tell that from the way in which it's presented today. Links often don't work in the comments (Squarespace is aggressively unfriendly to spam) so here's Kansas Bob's link again http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/c/cabbie.htm

Comments

[Kansas Bob]

It is a nice story.. I have read it many times in email.. this site (http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/c/cabbie.htm) says it is from the pen of inspirational writer Kent Nerburn.

[Barbara]

Hmm, I don't think Jim intended for people to assume the cab story was from his own personal experience, but I can see why people would think that. I think I'll email him and tell him to throw some quotes around it or add the author's name to it or something.

RKW - his second book is EVEN BETTER than his first and he's got a third in the works also!

[nancy]

truly a good story!

[your sister]

my bro,

I have seen this story before and as you know what I do for a living...I have thought many times how would you want your mother treated grandmother treated...I had one senior couple this week that stands out in my mind there fare was 3.30 cents they asked for there seniors discount which was 10 percent. It was very icy out, I helped them to the car then from the car to the church they were going for a roast beef dinner...when we reached the door of the church he reached into his pocket and said just one moment young lady and he pulled out a 10 dollar bill and said thank you for going the extra mile...can you come back and pick us up?

sometimes I do not pass the test especially with crabby seniors...but as driving away would you be happy with the way you treated that person if it was your grandma? stands out in my mind.