Hot Seat

Hot Seat

They share freely and give generously to those in need.Their good deeds will be remembered forever.

Psalm 112:9

A group of my single friends and I met at our church one cold winter night to drop off our cars before driving together into the city to attend a gospel sing.

On our return drive after the event, one of my guy friends, Bruce, commented, “Boy, this is the type of night that makes me awfully glad my car seats are heated.”

We kidded him about how cold the rest of us were going to be, hopping into our icebox-like cars without that heated comfort. By the time we arrived at the church, he was feeling sorry for us.

“Okay, hand me your keys, and I’ll start your cars for you.”

I liked that idea and complied. I’m five feet two and drive with the seat pulled very close to the steering wheel. I assumed that, with Bruce’s six-foot-four frame, he would just lean in the window and start my car, but I watched as he ran over and jumped into my car’s front seat. My skinny, five-foot-ten daughter-in-law cannot slide in behind my steering wheel without moving the seat back, so I wondered how Bruce was able to fit. I suspected he must be wedged in like sardines in a can.

Then, as my key made contact with the ignition, I saw a look of horror cross his face as my automatic telescoping steering wheel started to move toward him. He literally dove out of my car, leaving the heater running but without starting the engine.

I laughed for days every time I thought of my sweet friend’s good deed. I still love to tease him about the incident, and he calls my car by a new name—Killer.

—Pam Whitley

Thank you, Lord, for friends who care and love to make life better for others. Help us never to take them for granted. Amen.