When God Teaches Through the Fuel Pump
I’ve learned that God is not only concerned about the big moments in life — like crossing the Red Sea or moving mountains — but also the small, seemingly ordinary ones, like fueling a car. That day, I discovered that the Holy Spirit can teach profound truths at the petrol station, and sometimes, the test is not in the service but in the service bay.
It began on what seemed like a normal day. My sister and I had both stopped at a fuel station. She drove up confidently, her car shining like a showroom model, the kind of vehicle that makes the attendants stand straighter and smile wider. I, on the other hand, was counting my coins carefully, mentally balancing the budget between school fees, groceries, and, well, survival.
I planned to fuel for 300 shillings—just enough to keep the car moving and my heart at peace. I asked my son, feeling proud to let him participate in grown-up tasks, to tell the fuel attendant the amount. At that exact moment, I heard my sister’s calm, cheerful voice from the next pump:
“Put for me 8000.”
My eyes nearly popped out of my head. Eight thousand! My mind raced. That’s full tank money. That’s oil change money. That’s new-tyres-and-still-have-change money! Meanwhile, my humble 300 seemed like a drop of water in the ocean.
Before I could sink into self-pity, my son turned and said, “Mum, I told him 500 instead of 300.”
“Five hundred?” I repeated, half-surprised, half-amused. Maybe the Holy Spirit was already adjusting my faith meter!
But deep down, I felt that familiar tug—the subtle whisper of comparison. Look at her, fueling 8000, paying by card, doing full service. And look at you, wondering if the brakes will last another week. That whisper often comes clothed in logic but hides envy in its sleeves.
I had a choice. I could let jealousy sip from my peace, or I could let the Holy Spirit guide me. And thankfully, this time, I chose surrender over sulking.
I asked my son again, “Are you sure you told him 500?”
“Yes, Mum,” he said, looking both confident and innocent.
“Okay,” I smiled, “then let’s trust that God knew we needed the extra 200.”
Right there, the Holy Spirit began teaching me: You do not have because you do not ask God (James 4:2). I realized that many times, it’s not that God hasn’t blessed us — it’s that we’ve spent so much energy comparing that we’ve forgotten to ask.
Instead of feeling small, I whispered a quick prayer:
“Lord, help me to be genuinely happy for my sister. Help me to celebrate her blessings as evidence that You are still in the neighborhood, performing miracles. And Lord, about my car — You heard those brakes, right?”
That night, as I reflected, I felt the urge to fast. Not because I was in trouble or wanted something urgent, but because I sensed God was doing heart surgery on me — removing jealousy, insecurity, and fear, and replacing them with faith, joy, and contentment.
The next morning, as I prepared to leave the house, I thought about my sister again. She had just moved into a new house, and I wanted to bless her with a gift. Yet, a tiny thought sneaked in: She’s never even invited you. Others have gone to see her new house, but not you.
That thought could have easily turned into bitterness, but instead, I chose love. I decided to buy her a housewarming gift anyway — not because she invited me, but because I wanted to sow joy, not jealousy.
Little did I know, God was preparing a surprise that would make me laugh out loud at His timing.
On my first stop that day, I passed by Bridgestone, one of those places you go to when your car’s noises start forming worship songs of their own. I hadn’t even parked properly when a gentleman, wearing a branded cap and an even brighter smile, walked up to me.
“Madam, good morning! We’re running a promotion today in collaboration with a service company.”
He handed me an envelope. Inside was a KSh 3,000 gift voucher for car service, 5% discount on their products, a hat, and a notebook.
I just stood there in awe, laughing. I couldn’t help but whisper, “God, You’re too much!”
Yesterday, I was worried about my brakes; today, I had a voucher for service. Yesterday, I was fighting feelings of jealousy; today, I was wearing a free cap and writing down blessings in a free notebook.
It was as if God was saying, “See? I can bless you without you having to compete. I can meet your need before you even open your mouth. I can give you what you didn’t even ask for when your heart is right.”
Later that evening, my phone rang. It was my sister.
“Hey, would you like to come see my new house?”
I smiled, nearly dropping the phone. Only God could orchestrate such perfect timing. I had already bought her a gift earlier that day — a beautiful set of food hot pots, something she needed because she’d been reheating food constantly and complaining about her electricity bill.
When I gave her the gift, her face lit up. “You don’t know how much I needed these!” she said.
That night, as I drove home, my heart was full. Not because everything was perfect — my brakes still needed work — but because peace had replaced comparison, and contentment had silenced envy.
I realized something powerful: God doesn’t test us with lack to punish us; He tests us with other people’s abundance to reveal our hearts. If we can celebrate others’ blessings without feeling diminished, then we are truly growing in grace.
I also learned that obedience opens unexpected doors. When you choose to do right — even when your feelings say otherwise — heaven responds with surprises.
Jealousy is like drinking poison and expecting someone else to feel sick. Gratitude, on the other hand, is medicine that heals the heart and multiplies blessings.
So now, whenever I go to the petrol station, I remember that day. I smile when I see people fueling for thousands, because I know my God can bless me in His time, His way — even if He chooses to start with a hat and a notebook.
After all, the lesson isn’t in the amount of fuel but in the attitude of the heart. God doesn’t just fill tanks; He fills souls.
And the next time you’re tempted to compare, just remember — the same God who gave someone else a full tank is the same one who can turn your 300 shillings into a testimony on wheels.
