Maddie pedaled hard up the hill. She had plenty of time before the interview, but she wanted to be early. She’d need a few minutes in the restroom to change clothes, tame her windblown hair, and catch her breath. If she got this job, maybe, if she was careful, she’d be able to buy a car by year’s end. As she crested the hill, a man came into view. He wore an expensive suit and stood next to a shiny, late model luxury car, a tire iron in hand.

Stop.

Maddie shook her head. Sure, she knew all about cars from working in Daddy’s shop. But she didn’t have time.

Stop.

Maddie argued with the voice in her head. If she helped this man, she’d be late to the interview. There was bound to be a ton of competition for this job. Everyone wanted to work for Carnation’s. Being late would ruin her chance. She risked a glance at the man. Surely he could afford to pay someone to help him. And what if he was dangerous? She didn’t know him.

Stop.

Fine. It was no use arguing with the voice in her head. The Holy Spirit had a plan for her, so she’d better listen. She pulled up next to the man and kicked out the kickstand.

“Can you use some help?”

The man turned his gaze on her. His lips curved into a sheepish smile. “I’ve never changed a tire before. I’m afraid I’m helpless with cars.”

Maddie relaxed. He didn’t seem dangerous at all. “I’ll have you on the road in a jiffy.”

The man’s smile lit up his face. “I’m David.”

“Maddie.” She set her backpack on the ground, moved around to the trunk, grabbed the jack, and had the car propped up in less than two minutes. She held a hand out to David. “Please hand me the tire iron.”

David handed her the tool, and one by one, she loosened the lug nuts and then popped off the tire. After replacing the tire with the spare, she stood and brushed her hands on her jeans, grateful her suit was safely stowed in the backpack.

“That should do it.”

David gazed at her in admiration. “Thank you. I can’t believe how quickly you did that. Have you ever considered a job working pit crew?”

Maddie glanced at her watch. “I had to be quick. I have to get to an interview at Carnation’s.”

David’s eyebrows raised. “Yet you stopped to help me.”

Maddie shrugged. “It was the right thing to do. But I have to go now or I’ll be late.”

“What if I gave you a ride?”

Helping the guy on a public street was one thing, but she was not about to get in the car of a stranger. “Ahh, no thanks. There’s no place to stash my bike. I’d better go. Don’t drive over 50 miles per hour on the spare, and get it replaced as soon as you can.”

David took a step toward her as she grabbed her backpack. “Can I at least give you something for your trouble?”

“No, sir, but thank you. Pass it along if you can.” She swung her leg over her bike and took off down the road. Two minutes later, David’s car passed her, heading into the downtown area.

Maddie pedaled as fast as she could and made it to Carnation’s in less than ten minutes. She locked her bike to the rack on the corner and dashed inside. She stopped at the front desk, breathless.

“My name is Madison Hewlett. I’m here for an interview for the admin position. But could I please use the restroom first? I need to change.”

The receptionist nodded and pointed over Maddie’s shoulder. “The restrooms are over there.”

Maddie sprinted to the restroom and peeled off her jeans and T-shirt. She wriggled into her suit, brushed her hair and pinned it up in a quick bun. She splashed her face with cold water. No time for makeup. The natural look would have to do. She returned to the receptionist’s desk.

“Thank you. I’m sorry I was running late.”

The receptionist eyed her. “You said you were here for the administrative assistant interview?”

Maddie nodded. Her tongue froze to the roof of her mouth.

“That interview was scheduled to start five minutes ago. Punctuality is important for the people who work here at Carnation’s. I’m afraid the administrative assistant role won’t be a good fit for you.”

Maddie’s heart sank. “I understand. I’ll be on my way now.”

The receptionist held up a hand. “Mr. Carnation would like to see you.”

Maddie’s pulse kicked up a notch. Was the head of the company actually going to take the time to chew her out for being late? “Ahh, no thanks. I don’t want to waste anyone’s time.”

The receptionist smiled. “You’ll want to speak with him. Take the elevator to the fifth floor and turn left. He’ll meet you there.”

“Thank you.” Maddie blew out a breath and hurried over to the elevators. What a crazy morning. Why on earth would Mr. Carnation want to see her? When she reached the fifth floor, a young man greeed her. “Ms. Hewlett?”

 Maddie reached out a hand. “Yes. I’m Madison. I guess I’m here to see Mr. Carnation.”

“Right this way.” The man guided her to a corner office where a man sat behind a massive oak desk, his enormous leather chair facing the floor-to-ceiling windows.

The young man cleared his throat. “Madison Hewlett to see you, sir.”

“Thank you, Tyler. Ms. Hewlett, please have a seat.” The man did not turn around.

 Maddie perched on the edge of the chair, her pulse hammering in her chest. She wiped sweaty palms on her skirt and concentrated on keeping her feet from tapping.

 “I understand you applied for the administrative assistant position.”
 “Yes sir.” Why didn’t he turn around?

“Your resume is impressive. But circumstances have changed, and we’re not interested in hiring you for that position.”

“I understand, sir. I’m sorry I was late. Thank you for your time.”

  The man held up a hand while still facing the windows. “Punctuality is important. But not as important as helping someone in need.” The man turned the chair to face her, a grin lighting up his face. “Allow me to fully introduce myself.” He held out a hand. “David Carnation. Founder and CEO of Carnation industries, and clueless with cars.”

Maddie held out a trembling hand and allowed David, no, Mr. Carnation, to shake it. “Nice to see you again.”

“You look confused.”

 “Forgive me, sir, but I don’t understand. If helping others is more important than punctuality, why is the job unavailable to me?”

“I have an opening for an executive assistant. You’d still be performing many of the administrative duties, but the pay and the benefits are significantly higher. I’d like you to consider that position instead. I’ve been looking a long time for the right person, and you, Ms. Hewlett, proved to me this morning, that you have exactly the character I’m looking for.”

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

God, sometimes You tell us to do things that make little sense to us. But You have the big picture in mind. You know all things, including our futures. When You give us instructions, they are always for our own good. Please help us listen to Your still, small voice in our head. Help us be open to Your leading. We won’t always see the fruits of obedience in this life, but we will always be blessed by following You. Thank You for Your continued faithfulness. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.