The Golden Rule of motorcycle travel is, “Never miss an opportunity to fill your tank.”
Motorcycle tanks are so small and gas stations are so far apart that it is unwise to think, “Bah, I can probably make it!”
Unfortunately, my brother and I are unwise.
A couple of years ago, we were riding through Montana, on our way to Yellowstone National Park, when we drove right past the last gas station.
Several miles later, I found myself standing on the side of the highway while Kurt walked back to a highway sign trying to see if there was a town nearby. Then I saw a truck stop. Then Kurt got in.
When the truck got to me, Kurt jumped out and said, “This lady lives just up the road and she will give us some gas if we follow her.” So away we went.
I am not sure what the lady’s husband thought as we drove into the yard. It is not likely every day that his wife comes rolling up the driveway with two motorcycles following her.
As it turned out, he was just as friendly as her. After he filled my brother’s bike, he turned to me. “Oh know”, I said, “I think I can make it” (Pride can make you say some stupid things) to which he replied, “You are here now. You may as well leave with a full tank.”
When we asked how much we owed them, the lady said, “Nothing. Just pass it on. Do something nice for someone else sometime.”
It rained all the way from there to Yellowstone. And it was cold. But I could not wipe the smile off my face. We were in trouble. Trouble that we caused ourselves, and this lady and her husband saved the day for us.
We tend to think kindness is weak or unimportant. It is something that we teach little kids as we say, “Play nice with your friends.” The truth, though, is that kindness is powerful. Kindness is one of the Fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Jesus himself is described as the kindness of God (Titus 3:4). The Gospel message is based on God’s kindness (Ephesians 2:1-7; note verse 7).
My motorcycle story took place on Sept. 9, 2014 and I am still talking about it today.
Kindness matters.
