I've been wanting to write about this, but time has just gotten away from me. A few weeks ago, I flew out to LA for a press junket for the movie "The Vow." These junkets are a lot of fun as the studio flies us out, puts us up in a nice hotel and arranges interviews with the cast, directors and screenwriters.
When I hailed a cab at LAX for a ride to the hotel, I realized that I was low on cash and asked the driver if he would take a credit card. He reluctantly agreed. When we reached the hotel, he ran my card and I asked him to add a tip. He was unable to do this as the card had already processed, and all I had was a few $1's and a $5. I needed the $1's to tip the bellman who had already grabbed my bag from the trunk and was waiting for me at the curb. $5 was a measly tip, so I pulled out my checkbook. The driver stopped me, telling me that he had no way to cash a check and didn't have a bank account. I gave him the $5 and asked his name. He told me it was Tom, and I told him I would pray for him and that somehow he would get the rest of the tip from me because God would work it out.
I'm sure he rolled his eyes and thought, "Yeah, sure!" but he smiled and said, "It's okay."
I knew that I would have to give some money away (I was thinking $10 would do it) to a needy person, and I said a quick prayer: "Dear Lord, please put someone in my path today who needs money and then somehow let that money get back to Tom."
Hours later, I was out walking near my hotel having completely forgotten about the incident. I wanted to buy some fruit from a stand on the street and realized I was out of cash. I ducked into a nearby bank and hit the ATM. As I walked back toward the hotel, I passed a small park where a middle age man was lying on a bench. He asked, "Excuse me, but can you spare a dollar?" I opened my wallet and had nothing but $20's from the ATM. As I started to look for change, it hit me-- this was the person I had asked God to put in my path. As I said, I was thinking $10, but God had a more generous tip in mind for Tom. I gave the homeless man $20 and told him to pray for me and for a cab driver named Tom. He probably thought I was crazy, but happily took the cash.
As I walked on, I prayed that the homeless man would use the money to better his life and not waste it on alcohol or drugs.
Although I never found out, I am certain that later that day Tom mysteriously received $20. I hope he realized that it was his tip and that God does indeed work in mysterious ways!
Notes:
The Vow is actually a pretty cute movie. I wrote a feature (not the title I submitted...) and a review on Catholic Exchange if you'd like to learn more.
I will be on Catholic TV's "This is the Day" tomorrow (Tuesday) at 10:30 am eastern. I'll be interviewed by phone as I'm not able to travel to Massachusetts for a live interview. You can watch live at this link. It will be rebroadcast on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday at 4:30 a.m. and 6 p.m., Thursday at midnight and 3:30 p.m. The show will also be available to watch online anytime at the same link a day or two after it airs.
I just updated my website. Check it out, if you have time and let me know what you think: http://www.rosaryworkout.com/
