Love Found in a Delivered Wallet

About a week ago, I was driving home from visiting our son at the cemetery, and about halfway home, I realized that I was running very low on fuel. In fact, the gauge on my car indicated I had only 3 miles before reaching an empty tank.

I knew of this low status at the 50-minute mark, but I ignored it, thinking I would have time later in the day.

On this drive home, however, I called my wife, Dulce, and we were having an engaging conversation about a few family matters. Thus, my concentration regarding the fuel level was distracted.

Of course, when my car tells me that I have just a few miles before it will stall, it was definitely time to find a fueling station. I took the first exit I could find on Loop 1604 and searched frantically for a place to fuel, while still on the phone with my wife.

Eventually, I found a Chevron station, and I rolled in there with zero miles left of gasoline but was still moving … barely.

The Chevron

My wife and I continued the conversation while I handled the gas-pumping duty, which meant I was preoccupied with my conversation and not with where I placed my wallet after using the credit card at the self-service station.

After the fueling process was complete, I jumped back into the car, my iPhone’s Bluetooth reconnected, and I drove away without missing any of our conversation.

The Realization

I had a 9:30 a.m. haircut, and I usually pay Mario, the barber, with cash. I also brought my dress shoes to be shined at the barber shop and paid the $15 in cash.

The next errand was a quick stop at the bank to manage a few items that supposedly can only be done with what is a called a wet signature.

It was at this time that I realized my wallet was missing. What!

I knew immediately where it was. When I stopped for gas, I placed the wallet on top of the hatchback of my car.

Given that I am prone to leaving things behind, I placed an Apple Air Tag in one of the small compartments of the wallet. The signal told me that it was near the Chevron, and I jumped into my car and drove there.

I asked the Chevron workers if anyone had turned it in to them but no luck.

I followed the signal of the Air Tag, which showed it was near me, but it could not be reached. In fact, the GPS showed that it was somewhere on the freeway itself.

There was a good amount of traffic, so I could not easily search for it, especially since the cars were going 70+ miles per hour.

With few options here, I called the credit card companies to cancel them, and I placed an order for a replacement driver’s license via the web portal. I purposely carry only a little to no cash in my wallet mostly because of the chance I might lose it.

Found and Delivered

The wallet was lost on a Wednesday, and on Friday afternoon, right before my wife and I were preparing to drive to downtown San Antonio for a LOVESTRONG Marriage Fiesta Date Night event, I received a call from the security guard at our subdivision that someone would like to return my wallet to me.

A few minutes later, a young man in an old Subaru drove up to my vehicle.

“Sir, my name is Osie, and I found your wallet near the Pizza Hut.”

I had no idea how my wallet made it to a Pizza Hut because the Apple Find My application clearly indicated it was in the middle of the highway.

Regardless, this nice young gentleman drove the wallet right to my home. I had a $50 tip ready for him, and he was happy.

The Point

By this time, I had canceled all my credit and debit cards, and I paid the $11 to have a replacement driver’s license. I had even ordered a new wallet from Amazon, which would arrive before 8 a.m. the next day.

I had given up on the wallet and its contents, but this man showed me that honesty still exists today.

I think God puts me in these situations to remind me of the beauty and kindness other people can bring to me.

Of course, it’s now up to me to do the same for others.

Homework Inquiry

During the next week, here’s your homework inquiry: What are ways for you to show kindness and love to others without expecting anything in return?