I am seriously ranting tonight.

We had a school spring arts performance at a local church known for it's good acoustics. The parents of the kids in my son's class were in charge of refreshments, and I was the one organizing it. Consequently, I was the last to leave the church, along with the teacher who locked up. I was rearranging stuff in my car and ended up alone in the parking lot.

My battery was dead. I put up the hood, got out my jumper cables and stood on the sidewalk, kind of waving them around, hoping someone would see me and stop.

After a few minutes, I was delighted when a man drove into the parking lot. However, rather than stopping by me, he drove on over to the church office doors. I went over and asked him if he could give me a jump. He said no and then asked if there was anyone coming to get me. When I said no he said that he couldn't help me, walked into the office and locked the door behind him. I knocked but to no avail.

I had to walk half a mile down a dark road to the nearest gas station to use the phone to call my husband who had already gone home with our son. When I got back, the fellow was gone. I believe he was the pastor.

I don't understand why he didn't offer to let me use the phone.

Ahh, writing about it has stopped me cussing, however.

I understand the safety issue - a woman in a parking lot really CAN present a danger to the church - if you let her in and she unlocks a door, or pulls a gun, or whatever - BUT - offering to call a tow truck or the police or the home for you would have been the proper response.

A simple explanation that he could not let you into the church - but he would be happy to make a call for you would have made you feel better - and safer.

I agree with Jachut comment and the ensuing replies that the person could have at elast offered to make a call but if we are thnkning in a christian and caring manner we wll not be so quick to judge his behaviour. WHAT IF and know it is a big " what if"! but jsut what if that man had been in a life threatening situation related to helpng others in the past. THis is the sort of thing that can lead to post traumatic shock syndrome and even simple events can trgger awful flashbacks that go right back to the orignal event- it is very real and feals everybt as terrifying as the original event. so I would feed back to the local pastor, they can look at whot was and the actual event. I can understand Devanas fear and hurt but none of us should be so quick to judge