Getting stuck at the gas station
One of the biggest question people have with my travels is how I actually pay for it. And to be honest, half the time I don’t even know. That is not due to bad budgeting or lack of oversight in the financial realm, but rather that I often just start an adventure with the money I have at the time and get into it, not knowing how to pay a few weeks or even days later.
When I booked my flights to LA, I had nothing left for a few weeks until I got paid for a job I had done. Somehow when I need money, it is there. Either through jobs along the way or generous givers and provision! If you have ever contributed to my adventure, thank you so very much for being a part of my journey!!!
But this particular time, I knew I was close to zero and had booked everything for the journey ahead. With the rental I had booked, I was nearing San Francisco, praying that the money would fill the tank. I felt like God asked me to proclaim and speak out how rich I was because of Him. It was really quit funny - for a very cheap price I had been given the fanciest car I had ever driven - with leather seats and all the extras one can imagine.
At the gas station, I left my card with the cashier as I didn’t know how much the car needed for a full tank. So I fill up the car and go inside to pay and my card gets declined. “Can you try again?” I know I am close to zero, but that much should still be there. It doesn’t work.
I begin to sweat and call a relative in the area who kindly calms me down. The cashier calls the manager and suddenly I’m on the phone with the man, who suggests I could leave a diamond ring or work the rest of the day. “Uhm, I have a plane to catch...”, I say. Internally, I am praying, to get out of this somehow...
The manager himself changes his tone all of a sudden and suggests to send the money in the mail when it suits me. Apart from my details they take nothing and just let me go.
While that was crazy gracious of them to do, this was the first time I ran out of money on the adventure. At the airport, I try an ATM and get money out without a problem. This whole situation was stressful but also kinda funny. I’m still a bit confused as to why this went down the way it did, but one thing is for sure - even when I stand at the cashier, unable to pay, I am rich in Jesus!
