This is an excerpt from an e-mail that I sent to Ron V from Granger Community Church, (Granger, IN. who is being instrumental in teaching any and all who desire a need to be more missional and how to get there. He shared ” The 10 Second Rule” principal and then offered the book for 1/2 price if people were able to pay. I still had 8 seconds left when I bought it!!! This book is just what the complicated mind needs to simplify it all! The Holy Spirit is truly working if we listen!!! Thank You Lord!

1)I left the GCC service last night and saw a woman walking by the road…I thought (10 Second Rule)…I was past her do I stop….is she going to the apartments…she crossed the road to do what I thought was just that….I turned around anyway…..she walked past the apartments….I asked her if she needed a ride…she didn’t but the smile in her eyes and the sincere thank-you for offering told me I was right to ask.

2) I came home from a vacation that I had taxied to the airport @ 6:00 in the morning the week before when I called for the same company cab to take me home upon my arrival back to SB. Long story short it’s not the usual company I use for my taxi needs, first experience @6:00 I established a rapport with the driver due to our shared patriotism, he wasn’t working on Saturday when I returned but they promptly sent someone out. I walked out of the door of the airport and he wasn’t there yet, but there were 3 other taxi’s waiting. I called the company and said if they hadn’t sent him already there was no need…..while we spoke I saw the cab round the corner. He was FILTHY…I mean grubby looking and I wondered if I had misplaced my loyalty to a company I truly didn’t know by any other means than the first driver shared a love of country as I do. His first question to me” How much does X charge you for this ride?” Whoa….the meter on the dash wasn’t running, (nor was it on my first ride), I asked, “Don’t you have a rate? Especially to Notre Dame? ( I live very close)” He said, I don’t usually drive. I told him “$12.00” . No issue, except that it was a lie…the first driver actually charged me $15.00….I rode for probably a minute ( not quite 10 seconds) and I told him, “ I lied…and X had actually charged me $15…..I explained that I was trying to be a better Christ follower and I don’t know if I was testing him/them or myself but I had to tell him the truth! I also was able to hear him share his own losses to cancer that he had experienced in the last 2 years with losing a father and his wife to the disease. There are no coincidences in God’s plan….thank you for assisting me as I attempt to just plain do it better than I have and continue to try to surrender to God’s will over my own. The book was invaluable as the book I need to dive into will be!

I’m pretty cynical about most “Christian” stuff on the web.
But
I like your 10 second rule.
I am even going to try to FOLLOW it.
How about that!
AA
UK

Well, I’m quite ccustomed to waiting…talking myself out of sharing a blessing. Your book is just right about me.

So, now I have the book, about to read it. But I wonder…

I ran out of gas between Berea and Richmond KY on I-75 a few years ago, driving a green Mercury Grand Marquis, and a man who looks suspiciously like you stopped, took me to buy gas, then back to my car. It was really inconvenient, undoubtedly.

Nahhhh, the odds are too remote that it was you Mr. De Graaf – but whoever that was, thanks soooo much. It was a spontaneous obedience to what I believe must have been God’s urging.

So, now I’m embarking on my journey to heed those urgings right away – within the first 10 seconds.

The 10 Second Rule rocks!

One of the great pleasures I have at National Christian Foundation of Indiana is working with caring, committed Christians who love God and share their experiences…in this case a book. About a month ago Ginny gave me one that she said I just had to read. The whole idea of The 10 Second Rule by Clare De Graaf is not to take even 10 seconds to over-think the situation; just do the next thing that you’re reasonably sure Jesus wants you to do. I read it, thought it was great, and I figured that was the end of it.
Then, about a week after I read the book, just as my mind was consumed with thoughts of dinner and an evening of reading and relaxation, the Holy Spirit grabbed me and took me way out of my comfort zone, literally.

It was around 5:00 pm. I drove back to the office after my last appointment. Since my wife, Nancy, was out of town, I was thinking about stopping by Paradise Bakery and Café on my way home to get carry out – one of those crumbly blue cheese salads that I like so much and maybe even a chocolate chip cookie or two.
As I walked into our office building I passed a woman standing in the lobby looking out the window as though she was looking for her ride home. We smiled and said hello and I went back to work for a while.
By the time I decided to leave it was just after 7:00 pm. Wow, those two hours went fast. I packed up my iPad and put on my coat, turned off the office lights and locked the office door to head home.
As I approached the front door in the lobby of our building, I realized that the same woman was still there. She looked worried. “Are you alright?” I asked. She told me that she had just moved to Indy, had no car, so she had taken a bus to our area for a doctor’s appointment. Somebody told her that the last bus came at about 6:00 pm. She looked out window around 5:40 pm and saw a bus pulling away. No other bus came after that. “So,” she said, “I called a cab…even though I can’t even afford the cab fare, which would probably be $50 or $60.”

“Where do you live?” I asked. She told me that she lived in Speedway, which is quite a haul from our north side office at 91st and Meridian.

She said she had called a cab about an hour earlier and when I asked her if she had checked back to find out when they were coming she said, “I couldn’t. My cell phone battery died.” Her voice cracked as though she was starting to cry.

“I’ll call them,” I said. The dispatcher explained that they were looking for a cab for her. “You’re LOOKING for a cab for somebody who called an hour ago?” Then I realized what was going on. “God, I know I could offer to give her a ride home, but I’m tired and hungry, and I want to pick up my dinner, and…” Then it hit me.

I sensed that my 10 seconds were almost up…it was time to just obey. “Forget the cab,” I told the dispatcher. “I’m going to drive her home.”

As we drove around 465 to the west side, Mary was explaining that she needed to find a job close by her new apartment, because she wasn’t able to buy a car until she worked for a while to save some money. I confirmed that she had a resume with her and told her to make sure that she gave me a copy when we stopped.

As I was thinking how much different Mary’s life was than mine, I realized that I had driven past the Crawfordsville Road exit. So, I went on to 10th Street and back-tracked up Lynhurst. After navigating around in pretty unfamiliar territory with the help of a navigator who barely knew the area, we found her apartment complex. As she got out of my car, I remembered what she had said about cab fare, so, as Mary handed me her resume, I gave her the $22 I had in my pocket. She hugged me and said, “God bless you.”

I felt great. I had done the right thing, simply because I didn’t talk myself out of it. And, I was able to give her a little when she had nothing. I figured that was the end of it.

The next morning I headed out to my first appointment. Following the directions on my iPad, I took the Crawfordsville Road exit. When I arrived at my appointment, something caught my eye. I looked around the side of the building and realized that the building behind was Mary’s apartment. “Lord,” I thought, “what more do you have in store for me today?”

Once we finished getting to know each other, I just had to tell Sarah, the business owner I was meeting with, about my experience the night before. I told her how Mary needed a job that was near her apartment (located conveniently behind this office). She asked for a copy of Mary’s resume, and said she would see what she could do to connect her with nearby businesses whenever she heard about any job openings. So, I left feeling even better than I had the night before, because I was hopeful that Sarah might be able to help Mary. Again, I thought that was the end of it.

Then, this morning, I noticed that Mary had sent me an email. She starts her new job with Sarah’s company today. But today I didn’t think, “That’s probably the end of it.” God is at work every single second of every day helping all the Marys in the world, and He will be especially effective when His helpers follow The 10 Second Rule. I had simply been selling Him short. Not a mistake I’ll make again.

God, you are absolutely awesome!

Blessings,
Jim C.

My name is Kenneth M., I’m 24 years old and live in Mississippi. My teenage life was spent in and out of juvenile jails, rehabs and behavioral centers. I gave up drugs at age 20 but that was all that changed. I started drinking more, partying, had a foul mouth, and stole small things from time to time. I just was not living a Christian life. I thought I was saved, but felt no joy at all. I prayed only maybe ten times a year for years.

One day I felt the strong urge to go to Family Christian Bookstore located at a local mall. As I was walking out, I casually glanced at the other books on the shelf. For some unknown reason I picked up your book. The 10 Second Rule, read the cover and decided to buy it.

When I got home that day I found myself wanting to start your book. Since reading your book I have felt touched in a way I could never explain. As I’m writing this my eyes flow with uncontrollable tears. Tears of happiness and peace. True PEACE. I have made a 180 degree turn since that day. My whole life feels changed and I am so happy to really know the Lord, and happy for the fact that I know I’m being the man God meant for me to be.

Tonight I felt an impression suddenly to write you this and let you know that you have changed my life. I’m not the boy from the bus stop but I may be one of the others that you spoke of in other parts of the book. I could write a dozen pages and it still wouldn’t be enough to express how I really feel. I read your blogs now. Have a blessed day, Mr. De Graaf.

Sincerely,
Kenneth M.

My husband, 2 teen daughters and I were helping with a VBS in a church on a reservation. I cared for an almost 2yo boy whose foster mother went to the church. At the end of the 2nd day, she told me his story. He was available for adoption, but no family member could take him. I went back to the motel and checked out Native American adoption. I felt strongly that I was supposed to do something, but saw that it was impossible. I requested the number for child protection, thinking that I would talk to my husband and if it was OK with him, I would contact them. That morning the foster mother called and said ‘Would you like to adopt him?’ I said ‘Yes’ (Definitely within the 10 second limit) She said ‘The social worker would like to talk to you.’ Then I talked to my husband! We talked to the social worker that afternoon. 4 months later we drove back to pick him up. 2 years later the adoption was finalized. That 10 seconds have changed all of our lives.

P.S.
This poem in Our Daily Bread Monday reminded me of the 10 Second Rule:

Lord, if I’m feeling rushed today,
I need your eyes to help me see
That when an interruption comes,
It is an opportunity
- Sper

In Him, Jean

I have been trying to live by the rule for the past few months since reading the book and had a few opportunities to do so. Today however I had two opportunities. The first I was with my son in the car and passed a man holding a sign “hungry”. The easy thing to do would be keep driving, but after being prompted I turned around and gave the man a few bucks. It was a teachable moment for me to explain what I gave him and why. The Second was tonight as I was with my wife entering the movie theater we were approached by a woman who “needed money for gas”. Neither of us were particularly convinced by her story, but still felt it was the right thing to do and help her out with a few dollars as well. The 10 second rule has increased my spontaneous generosity and awareness for opportunities to serve.

A few weeks ago, my book club set out to practice random acts of kindness in our community. We rented a limo (right?) and headed out to make someone’s day. Inspired by a local story of someone paying off another’s KMart layaway, we headed for WalMart and promptly paid off the layaway with 5 toys on it. Then we bought gift cards. Lots of them! We passed them all around the store. Some to randoms, some to people that appeared to be very much in need. I’m a big fan of operationbeautiful.com, so I also left some “love notes” in the ladies’ bathrooms. We all went home that night feeling something very powerful. That day before our big trip, I stocked up on items after noticing a few homeless people standing near a busy intersection that I pass daily. I purchased deodorant, a toothbrush, toothpaste, a McDonald’s and Starbucks gift card, some handwarmers, a poncho, some water and a pile of granola bars. I wrote “YOU ARE LOVED” on the outside in hopes that we would see one of them at that spot that night. It didn’t happen that day. So, I kept it in my car, waiting for that moment when I would see one of them again. Today was that day. I told him that Jesus Loved Him, wished him a Merry Christmas and the light turned green and I was off. In my rear-view mirror, he promptly crossed the street and headed into the McDonald’s (yes, my giftcard was strategic!)

A week or so ago, my Dad told me that I needed to read your book. Tonight SOMETHING (is this that impression?? The Holy Spirit!)called me to do that. This is not irony. This is God, moving through me…through YOU. Thank you, Clare. For bringing clarity to this 32 year old “beige” Christian. As I sit here, my prayer partner is reading it on the couch. Truly, from the deepest pit of my broken soul, thank you. God has called me to this place over the last few months, and this book has brought it all back to HIM. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. 10430!

So been reading the book. Homeless guy comes in my church a week ago, just got out of jail and only has the clothes on his back. He asks me if we have any clothes and I take him back to our storage area and find him some sweatshirts but can not find any jeans to fit him. The Lord says what about the pair you are wearing. I had just returned from a trip so I had a pair of sweatpants in the car. Took my pants off and he tried them on and they fit perfectly.

About 10 years ago, while on a trip with a friend, we stopped at a town square for my friend to go to a bank. As I sat outside waiting for her, I saw a man walking to a car to ask the person something. Of course, he was asking her for money for cigarettes or booze (according to my ‘assessment’) and I was getting my defenses up as he came up the stairs toward me. To my surprise, he just sat down and asked how I was doing and chatted in a pleasant manner, then bid me a good day–never once asking for anything!
As my friend and I got back on the road, an impression hit me hard–I just missed Jesus! I cannot tell you how my heart broke at how stingy I’d been. Why couldn’t I have just walked him over to a restaurant, handed the waiter $10 or $15, and tell the man to enjoy a meal?
Some lessons are learned the hard way–I missed a Hebrews 13:2 moment!