Acts of Kindness
Seniors can’t afford car only to have repo man become their ‘guardian angel’
Having someone come to repossess your car is usually a terrible thing. But in one couple's case, it turned out to be a blessing.
Alissa Gaskell
04.23.21

Jim Ford is a repossessor outside St. Louis. From his job often stems miffed or outraged customers; nevertheless, he has to do what he has to do. But Pat Kipping of Red Bud, Illinois holds a very different opinion of Jim. Her very words were,

“He was wonderful. I mean, he’s the kindest man I’ve ever met in all my life.”

YouTube Screenshot - CBS Evening News
Source:
YouTube Screenshot - CBS Evening News

See, Pat and her husband Stan were deep in debt.

Stan was a Navy vet and a retired janitor in his early stages of Alzheimer’s. The couple were never rich but they could always get by until just a few months ago when they were hit with the reality that they could no longer afford the $100 payments on their car, a ’98 Buick Century.

YouTube Screenshot - CBS Evening News
Source:
YouTube Screenshot - CBS Evening News

Jim had to come in and do his job but the couple didn’t react like most people did. There was no anger, no arguments.

Just a relenting Pat who recalls thinking, “God, do whatever you think is best for us.”

YouTube Screenshot - CBS Evening News
Source:
YouTube Screenshot - CBS Evening News

Jim, in turn, felt somewhat differently about the old couple.

He told CBS’ Steve Hartman:

“They’re like America’s grandparents. I saw my grandparents in them. And I made it a block before I pulled over and called the bank. And I asked them if I could pay off the past due amount.”

YouTube Screenshot - CBS Evening News
Source:
YouTube Screenshot - CBS Evening News

What a pretty unusual move for a repossesor to make! God really was listening to Pat’s prayers the entire time.

After Jim got a go signal from the bank, he took care of the rest of the details, and more: he had the car detailed, gave it an oil change, and even threw in a frozen turkey! Of course, he didn’t shoulder all the expenses.

He needed help so he started a GoFundMe campaign which was successful.

Photo by Karolina Grabowska from Pexels
Source:
Photo by Karolina Grabowska from Pexels

Pat and Stan were surprised to see Jim again, even more so when he broke the news:

“We paid off the whole car. You have no car payment anymore.”

YouTube Screenshot - CBS Evening News
Source:
YouTube Screenshot - CBS Evening News

The couple, extremely grateful for the generous gesture, were in disbelief.

But Jim wasn’t done with the surprises yet. He proceeded to hand over an envelope containing a little over $17,000.

YouTube Screenshot - CBS Evening News
Source:
YouTube Screenshot - CBS Evening News

Talk about an answered prayer – and so much more! Pat remembers thinking,

“You know, God works in mysterious ways. There’s good people out there. He’s our guardian angel.”

What transpired between the old couple and the repossessor was proof that generosity and empathy can come from anyone; that God can work through anyone and anything and turn situations around.

So while most people resent their repossessors for being bearers of bad news, some, like Pat and Stan, understand that it is just part of his job, that it could also be the very occupation that prompts random yet impactful acts of kindness.

YouTube Screenshot - CBS Evening News
Source:
YouTube Screenshot - CBS Evening News

Pat was right, there really are good people out there – angels who make the world a more bearable place.

So no matter who you are or what you do for a living, know that you have the power to extend compassion and grace to whomever you meet.

Watch the video below for the touching story!

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