Column: ‘One simple act can make someone else’s day better’

Published 5:09 pm Monday, January 30, 2023

If you have never had to change a flat tire on the side of an interstate consider yourself lucky. If you have never had to try and get an anti-theft lug nut off the car without the key count yourself blessed. 

Flat tires happen from time to time. A nail can ruin your day and sometimes just the normal wear and tear gives way to a blowout. 

There have been a few instances where my tire blew on my old Mazda. I would scramble to try and set a record for how quickly I could get a spare on like the Old Man in A Christmas Story. 

Subscribe to our free email newsletter

Get the latest news sent to your inbox

Cars refused to get over into the left lane along I-55 south of the US84 exit and shook my wife’s Nissan Sentra as I worked at a record setting pace. I could make history in under 10 minutes. I just knew it. 

An aftermarket anti-theft locking lug nut brought everything to a screeching halt. We couldn’t find the key to it and tried one from an auto parts store which didn’t work, it was slightly different. 

The next morning, I stopped by Paul Barnett and asked for help. Jeff Nunnery, who is the parts manager, sprang into action. He followed me out to the car, tried to use the master lug nut keys, went back to his house and by the dealership to get a socket when the master key didn’t work. 

He came back and helped me get the locking lug off then proceeded to put my spare tire on. 

“Your axel is fixing to come off,” he said. 

He set the spare back on the ground and pointed to a pin which had come loose. Nunnery beat it back down so it would clamp in place. It wasn’t going anywhere, he assured me. 

Then he finished putting the spare back on the car. I thanked him as he walked back to his service van. 

“If you need anything let me know,” he said. 

I’m so incredibly appreciative of his customer service. He went above and beyond what he probably had to do. 

I think we should all strive to be like Nunnery. Go above and beyond in your job. Colossians 3:23-24 says “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”

There are times when it might be challenging and you might be tired. Please be encouraged by this story. One simple act can make someone else’s day better. If all of Brookhaven, Lincoln County, Mississippi, America and the world did that we would be better off. 

Nunnery’s action certainly made my Monday better and relieved some stress from my wife’s mind. God is good too, I would not have caught the axle problem without Nunnery there.