I mean, who’s really the idiot*? The one who knows they don’t know or the one going around acting like they know when they don’t? Or is it the one who puts faith in either of them? These things I ponder as I’m adjusting the Come-Along, ratchet-puller, strap, bungee cord type thing on the useless spare tire whose mount was busted off when a U-haul side-swiped the van a couple of days ago in a Love’s parking lot. To our great delight, it only clipped the rear door hinge which busted the tire mount. Thank you, Lord!

A man, Prince Charming, came to my rescue and handled the situation. We met about an hour beforehand, where he claimed to know the Lord and follow Him. He mentioned it frequently in between hugging quite intensely and trying to plant a kiss. He spoke with the driver of the Uhaul, claimed that the damage wasn’t that bad and that he knew a guy who could fix it, went ahead and received $100 for the damage via his Cash App. I stood there trying to process the situation, knowing I needed this man’s name, identification, contact info and a pic of the Uhaul but I paused as I examined the van and observed how my body was reacting (raised heartbeat, confusion at this jibber-jabber). Meanwhile, the Uhaul driver drives off. Price Charming asked for the straps, and I handed them to him, complete with instructions, which he dismissed, and then went to work strapping down the spare tire, ensuring it was secure.

Although that man put some of that $100 in my gas tank (not all of it due to complications and fees and transfers and yadda yadda), he soon thereafter disappeared along with his reassurance that everything was going to be okay. And now I stand here in this new parking lot in a different state, and adjust the dangling strap that does nothing more than wave in the wind as I drive. That man clearly doesn’t know how to use ratchet straps. His ignorance and arrogance could cause some real damage if left unchecked. And that man clearly doesn’t walk with God. Sadly, like many who claim that they do. And sadly, that can cause some real damage if left unchecked.

No matter how glad I was to have someone offer to help, when that person is self-focused, ignores guidance, leads with ignorance, behaves as a chameleon, and actually hinders the progression of your life, you, my dear, are the idiot.

And by you, I mean me.

Thank you, Lord. Even for the hard lessons. Especially for the hard lessons. I count all things a blessing. May that man, and all of these churches, come to know and live in your goodness. Amen.

*Don’t be an idiot: foolish or senseless