Nic

A lot of great stories begin with a full gas tank; whether that be in a car or a motorcycle, there’s something I love about the feeling of a full tank of gas – as well as knowing I’m able to fill the tank all the way up without looking at the price tag with any concern for cost.

See, for most of my adult life, I was one of the people who watched every cent as their tank filled; keenly aware that each drop was taking precious dollars away from my bank account, which was usually as low as my tank. I think a lot of people find themselves in this dilemma in 2025, where everything seems to be more expensive than it used to be.

As a MillenialX – an older millenial – I’m one of the few that remembers a time where you could go to a gas station and get change back for a dollar when you bought a gallon of gas. Sure, I was watching my parents fill up the tank, but I still remember seeing the prices on the big sign outside of each station.

In my life, gas stations have served as a unique mile-marker for different chapters of my life. For example, I remember filling up my gas tank and maxing out my credit card for the first time. Imediately, I called my Mom and let her know I was on financial thin ice. She gave me a quick prayer and dose of encouragement because those were times she and my Dad knew all too well.

I won’t ever forget that moment, the gas pump or even the feeling of the cold air as I filled up my car during a frigid Ohio November. My sister lives up the street from that station now, and I imagine she’s used the same pump countless times.

My younger brother, Mark, also has a thing for gas stations. He once shared with me how much he loved going inside, getting gas station food, and loading up on energy drinks. I never understood how he could stomach gas station food until he took me to his favorite station in Maryland; which sported one of the best fried chicken sandwiches I’ve had in my life.

Unlike fine dining restaurants, which cater only to the wealthy, gas stations serve as a melting pot for all walks of life; rich, poor, famous and dying. Everybody needs to fill up their tank even if they don’t want to.

I’ve made it a point to be a ‘regular’ at one gas station in my neighborhood. As a result, I’ve gotten to know little bits and pieces of the employees who work there. On a recent visit, one employee shared that he was grieving the murder of his cousin – who was brutally executed by a disgruntled contractor less than 24 hours prior.

A week went by and I stopped in to check in and see how he was doing. I didn’t need gas.

Rather than tears, he beamed with joy as he told me about his cousin’s funeral. Over 750 showed up to a funeral home that was supposed to fit 300. When the news of his death spread, people came out of the woodwork to pay thier respects to a man who had made their life better.

It’s rare to see beauty from the ashes in such a powerful way. Just like needing gas, everybody is going to die someday and they would be considered blessed beyond belief to have a turnout like this man did for his funeral.

A week or so later at the same station, I stood behind a man who sorted through his credit cards trying to find one that would go through. $2.12 was his balance, which had already been split with another card.

Before he was able to find a working card, the clerk behind the counter reached over to the ‘Tap to Pay’ and touched her phone to it.

BEEP.

“We’ve all been there, sir. Have a good day.”

The man was shocked beyond belief; thanking her profusely before walking out of the station.

As he walked out, I tapped his shoulder and encouraged him: “Brother, we’re all on our way. Keep your chin up.”

In the state of Texas, minimum wage is $7.25 (in 2025). Even a balance of $2.12 required the employee to spend at least 20 minutes of her time.

20 minutes, scrubbing toilets. 20 minutes, cleaning floors. 20 minutes, stocking inventory…

In a lot of ways, her gift to that man reminded me of the widow who gave Yeshua her last two pennies (called “mites”), shortly after a wealthy man gave a much larger offering.

Yeshua counted her gift as the greater of the two gifts. Why? Because she gave everything she had. It cost her something.

Her gift to the stranger touched me on a day where I needed encouragement and joy as much as that man needed a few bucks. In an instant, I forgot about the worries I brought into the gas station, because I got a front-row ticket to see the greatest act of generosity I’ve seen in many years.

Angels come in all shapes and sizes. For that man, one came in the form of a young woman who didn’t think twice about giving what she had to help a man in need.

She didn’t do it for applause. She didn’t do it for attention. She did it because she wanted to bless a stranger and give him a ray of light in a moment many people dread; declined card(s) at the checkout counter.

Whatever shame, embarassement or pain he was feeling in that moment found a temporary reprieve because of her generosity.

When it was my turn to check out, I told her (Nic) that what she did touched me enough that someday I’d write about it in my next book.

All around you, there’s a broken world. People are hurting, wondering how their next bill is going to be paid or even questioning how they’re going to feed their family that night. Perhaps you’re in this boat yourself. I have been – and am, far more than I like to admit.

You don’t have to be a wealthy donor at a black-tie gala to make a difference in the world. All you need to do is be faithful with the seeds you have and scatter them with generosity, trusting that they’ll be watered in the process.

In a world where every good deed gets recorded and livestreamed for likes, comments and shares, it was truly life-changing for me to witness the generosity of Nic, who gave far greater a gift than anything I’ve ever seen in my 38 years on this plane[t].

Be like Nic.