It started with four simple words: “Momma, I need help.”

Two weeks before that call, my husband Mark and I had driven to St. Louis to see our God-given grandchild and meet up with Robert, our son. He is forty-five, and he was planning a big move to Texas. As any parent would, we asked if he needed help. And as any grown man would, he said, “No, I can do this by myself.” We smiled and drove back to Tennessee, proud of his independence but with a mother’s quiet knowing in the back of my heart.

Then the phone rang. “I rented a U-Haul,” he said, “but I can’t tow the car. Could you drive it to Texas?” And just like that, our plans changed. That’s what love does — it shows up when the call comes, no matter the distance.

So I packed a bag, climbed into a little rental car, and began an 18-hour, 1200-mile journey. First stop, St. Peter's, to exchange the sporty little rental car for Robert’s well-worn SUV. Then off to Texas.

The road was long and sometimes frustrating — missed exits, heavy traffic, forgotten gas caps, lost credit cards, and a flight home that seemed like it might never leave the ground. But woven through every mile was God’s presence: in the small mercies, the safe arrivals, the unexpected help, and the quiet moments of grace.

And when I finally arrived at that Texas apartment complex, tired and sore but deeply grateful, I was reminded of the father in Jesus’ parable — the one who ran to meet his son while he was still a long way off. That father didn’t ask questions. He simply loved.

That’s what this journey taught me. Love isn’t measured by convenience or distance. It’s measured by willingness — the willingness to show up when someone calls, to go the extra mile, and to trust God with every step along the way.

I was reminded of the scriptures:

• Psalm 46:1 - “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
• Psalm 121:8 - “The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”

Father,

Thank you for the gift of love — the kind that shows up, reaches out, and never gives up. Help me to love as You do, with patience and grace, even when the road is long, or the journey is hard. Teach me to listen for the cries of those who need me and to respond with courage and compassion. And Lord, remind me that no act of love is ever wasted when it’s done in Your name. Amen.

This devotion was written by Marcia Prill and read by Sally Stovall.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.