It’s the Sunday after Thanksgiving. I hope you all have had a wonderfully blessed holiday weekend. Whatever your traditions or plans, I hope God was the center of your thankfulness. I thought he was in mine, until this morning. I realized that even though he sent me a gift of calm amid the chaos, He was not my main focus. Oh me, yet again. And while praying for forgiveness, He began to show me things, messages in my reflections over the past few days. I will share a few of them here with you:
✞ You may not know everyone at your table, but invite them in, feed them, and make them feel welcome.
✞ If you’re in too big of a hurry trying to get into the ham (the good stuff), you can cut yourself on the tin foil.
✞ Some of the best dishes come in disposable pans; some come in practical Tupperware; and some come in fancy bowls.
✞ No matter how raw and cut up your hands are from constant washing, the dishes still have to be done.
✞ In the course of living, there will always be messes to clean up.
✞ Just when you think you’ve got everything cleaned up, you spot a Dr. Pepper can in some random place and think, “How did that get there?” “How long has it been there?” And “How did I not see it before?”
✞ All the deals everybody rushed to be the first in line to get Thursday evening, they were still there when I leisurely strolled into the store Friday morning, and from the comfort of my couch Friday afternoon, and even Saturday evening after everything was all over. (God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.)
✞ (Don’t give up) Even the dog had good scraps this weekend.
✞ The best way to unclog the toilet isn’t always forceful plunges, but consistent firm pressure.
✞ I will be more grateful for the garbage pickup this week than last week.
✞ We all have the stuff around our house that we live with everyday. But when company’s coming, we hide it away so nobody sees it. And when they all leave, we simply pull it right back out.
✞ On the other hand, we have a few things that mean so much to us that we put them away so they don’t get messed up or broken.
✞ Take pictures; remember the good times. But also be mindful of the not-so-good times and realize where God has brought you from.
✞ Leftovers are ok to eat on...for a little while.
✞ Always thank God before you eat. Thank Him for what He’s given you; ask Him to help you use what He has given you so that you can live better for Him.
✞ Do you “say” the blessing, or do you “ask” the blessing?
✞ I’ve read the end of the Book - my team wins.
I got a spiritual blessing with each one He showed me. You may get something different.
Sunday, November 26, 2017
Saturday, October 7, 2017
Right Where I Left It (Him)
I cleaned house today. For the first time in what felt like a really, really long time. It felt good. And, like so many times before, God used that time to talk to me.
For the past few (several?) months I have been pretty busy. Every week when Saturday morning cleaning time rolled around, I had other things to do. The messages from God on those days? “You’re too busy.” “You’re still busy?” “Guess you’re too busy for me today.”
And deep down I knew it. I knew it was not taking time to do some things that needed to be done. But I had legitimate, logical “excuses.” “It’ll be ok just this once.” “I’ll make up for it next week.” “Maybe somebody else will do it.” “Nobody else is doing it, why should I bother?”
And I kept telling myself “when I get passed such & such date,” “when I get this done,” or “I’ve got plenty of time.” Sound familiar?
But today I decided had to be the day to get back to “normal.” The problem? I couldn’t find my music. I have a certain cd that I play while I’m cleaning. It’s a good mix of oldies, dance, spiritual, and some stuff I’m not sure what to call it. This morning I could find every other cd but that one.
So, I found one I figured I could make do with. The first few songs were pretty good. Then there were some slow songs. Then the cd started skipping, then the skipping got worse, and a little over halfway through it just stopped all together.
By this time my brain was clearing (as were the cobwebs and dust around my house), so I went back to the last time I had the cd. It wasn’t in the dvd player (which is where I listen to it while I’m cleaning). I had left it in the actual cd player. So I go to the last place I thought I had the cd player - not there. Now I’m just mad at myself for not putting my own things back where they belong. Stop and breathe. “Now where in the world is my cd player?” And a voice whispers, “It’s right where you left it.”
Wow! That’s about the only way to describe it. Low and behold, in the back bedroom I found the cd player; and inside was my cd. All my stuff was right where I had left it. I was the one who didn’t go back to it; the one who didn’t take the time to make sure all was in order.
I put my cd in my dvd player, cranked up the volume, and proceeded to clean my toilets and sweep my floors. And all is back as it should be.
For the past few (several?) months I have been pretty busy. Every week when Saturday morning cleaning time rolled around, I had other things to do. The messages from God on those days? “You’re too busy.” “You’re still busy?” “Guess you’re too busy for me today.”
And deep down I knew it. I knew it was not taking time to do some things that needed to be done. But I had legitimate, logical “excuses.” “It’ll be ok just this once.” “I’ll make up for it next week.” “Maybe somebody else will do it.” “Nobody else is doing it, why should I bother?”
And I kept telling myself “when I get passed such & such date,” “when I get this done,” or “I’ve got plenty of time.” Sound familiar?
But today I decided had to be the day to get back to “normal.” The problem? I couldn’t find my music. I have a certain cd that I play while I’m cleaning. It’s a good mix of oldies, dance, spiritual, and some stuff I’m not sure what to call it. This morning I could find every other cd but that one.
So, I found one I figured I could make do with. The first few songs were pretty good. Then there were some slow songs. Then the cd started skipping, then the skipping got worse, and a little over halfway through it just stopped all together.
By this time my brain was clearing (as were the cobwebs and dust around my house), so I went back to the last time I had the cd. It wasn’t in the dvd player (which is where I listen to it while I’m cleaning). I had left it in the actual cd player. So I go to the last place I thought I had the cd player - not there. Now I’m just mad at myself for not putting my own things back where they belong. Stop and breathe. “Now where in the world is my cd player?” And a voice whispers, “It’s right where you left it.”
Wow! That’s about the only way to describe it. Low and behold, in the back bedroom I found the cd player; and inside was my cd. All my stuff was right where I had left it. I was the one who didn’t go back to it; the one who didn’t take the time to make sure all was in order.
I put my cd in my dvd player, cranked up the volume, and proceeded to clean my toilets and sweep my floors. And all is back as it should be.
Monday, September 4, 2017
More Lessons Learned at the Beach
It’s our last day here, and I thought I would share something God showed me our first day at the beach. (I may have missed being in church back home, but God was here with me as well!)
There was a red flag over purple, meaning the water was rough but we could still go in. We just had to watch out for “dangerous marine life.” I tried to keep everybody in view. The girls were closer to the shore with their little girls. But the boys (two 16-year-olds) were out further trying to hit the waves (or rather let the waves hit them). They kept looking to the left and the right and saying, “We want to go over there. The waves are better over there.” I let them venture just a little way, then I would have to call them back over so I could keep a better eye on them. They would complain, but I told them they should enjoy the rest, and their waves would come. And when they did come - boy did they ever!
Now, God showed me these waves as both blessings and trials. Looking all around us, it always seems like everybody has it better, or has something we want. Sometimes we even go and try to get it, not thinking about what’s lying underneath the “wave.” (Red flag = dangerous waters; purple flag = dangerous creatures.) By staying where we are, we can enjoy the lulls and the resting times. And when the time is right, God will send us our waves. And we will enjoy it that much more.
Then He showed me the trials. We may be resting in calm waters, but all around us are waves. The people just a little way down the beach from us were getting hit with some pretty rough waves. For a little while they were ok. But after getting hit time after time after time, they were getting a little tired - physically tired; and just frustrated from the constant pounding, looking for some calmer waters - looking for some of what we had (guess that ties into the blessings too).
Then He showed me something else. As a mama, I wanted to keep my boys safe, in the calm waters. I knew there was little chance of them getting hurt there. But in my heart I knew they would never understand how dangerous some waves can be, even though it looks like fun at the time. They would also never feel the thrill of being hit with a blessing. (Disclaimer here - I never would have let them wander off far, and I was fairly close and could keep an eye on them and/or get to them if I needed to.) I knew they would have to experience the waves (the good and the bad). If I kept them in the calm waters, they would never learn so many lessons. They would never learn to watch and see the signs for waves coming. They would never learn to watch where they are going - too far from the shore, too far down the shore, or into a jellyfish. They would never learn which waves to try to jump over, dive under, push through, or ride out. They would never learn how to balance themselves.
They would never understand how God can create something so powerful and awesome, yet keep it held in place by something as small as a few grains of sand.
They would never learn to enjoy the calm waters.
There was a red flag over purple, meaning the water was rough but we could still go in. We just had to watch out for “dangerous marine life.” I tried to keep everybody in view. The girls were closer to the shore with their little girls. But the boys (two 16-year-olds) were out further trying to hit the waves (or rather let the waves hit them). They kept looking to the left and the right and saying, “We want to go over there. The waves are better over there.” I let them venture just a little way, then I would have to call them back over so I could keep a better eye on them. They would complain, but I told them they should enjoy the rest, and their waves would come. And when they did come - boy did they ever!
Now, God showed me these waves as both blessings and trials. Looking all around us, it always seems like everybody has it better, or has something we want. Sometimes we even go and try to get it, not thinking about what’s lying underneath the “wave.” (Red flag = dangerous waters; purple flag = dangerous creatures.) By staying where we are, we can enjoy the lulls and the resting times. And when the time is right, God will send us our waves. And we will enjoy it that much more.
Then He showed me the trials. We may be resting in calm waters, but all around us are waves. The people just a little way down the beach from us were getting hit with some pretty rough waves. For a little while they were ok. But after getting hit time after time after time, they were getting a little tired - physically tired; and just frustrated from the constant pounding, looking for some calmer waters - looking for some of what we had (guess that ties into the blessings too).
Then He showed me something else. As a mama, I wanted to keep my boys safe, in the calm waters. I knew there was little chance of them getting hurt there. But in my heart I knew they would never understand how dangerous some waves can be, even though it looks like fun at the time. They would also never feel the thrill of being hit with a blessing. (Disclaimer here - I never would have let them wander off far, and I was fairly close and could keep an eye on them and/or get to them if I needed to.) I knew they would have to experience the waves (the good and the bad). If I kept them in the calm waters, they would never learn so many lessons. They would never learn to watch and see the signs for waves coming. They would never learn to watch where they are going - too far from the shore, too far down the shore, or into a jellyfish. They would never learn which waves to try to jump over, dive under, push through, or ride out. They would never learn how to balance themselves.
They would never understand how God can create something so powerful and awesome, yet keep it held in place by something as small as a few grains of sand.
They would never learn to enjoy the calm waters.
Saturday, March 4, 2017
Why I Cleaned the House
I believe God will meet you where you are and talk to you in a way that will get your attention. I don't believe you have to be in a fancy church, praying a long prayer using impressive words for God to hear you. I don't believe he only speaks to us through a burning bush or handwriting on the wall. I've never personally encountered either of those things (though it would have been nice a few times). Instead, God talks to me in the midst of my life, usually while I'm having coffee and reading devotion, or while I'm driving, or while I'm cleaning.
I recorded my thoughts on Facebook this morning -
"My eyes and my to-do list tell me I should be cleaning the house. My body says I should be sitting on the couch drinking my coffee. My mind thinks I should go outside or get in the car and just drive. Trying to find a happy medium to satisfy them all."
Turns out there were several ladies having the same thoughts and feelings as me, and they offered words of advice and encouragement. I decided I would do a "quick clean," hit the high spots dusting, run a vacuum over the floor, and wipe down the bathrooms. I figured it wouldn't take more than 30 minutes, then I can be out and on to more fun things. God had other ideas.
For the next two hours, me and God cleaned and talked and listened. He revealed things to me through the vacuuming, the laundry, the dishes, the dusting. I hope you can read past the physical house cleaning and see the spiritual messages He shared with me.
I thought back to years ago and how I always hated to clean. The vacuum didn't pick up that much. The broom and mop were dirty so mopping didn't do much good. The dusting just stirred up more dust, and the dishes and laundry were never-ending. He reminded me how blessed I am now to have the new cleaning tools I don't mind using.
I remembered how much my husband complained when we first got the new carpet. "Why do you have to have so many people over? The carpet's just gonna get ruined quicker." Well, is that not why we got it? What good did it do to expand the living room, get new furniture, new paint, and new carpet if we weren't going to share it with others? The dirt and stains can be cleaned. (That's like buying a new car and not driving it because you're afraid to put miles on it - ???)
When it came time to sweep and mop the kitchen, I thought I would just offer to buy somebody's lunch if they would come do it for me. Sounded like a simple plan to accomplish the one chore still causes me pain and I don't enjoy at all. But God very plainly said, "Um, no. YOU have a huge mess piled in the corner of YOUR kitchen. YOU need to clean up YOUR mess, and YOU need to sweep and mop YOUR own kitchen." Geesh! You'd think he was a parent or something!
I decided to reward myself by taking myself out to lunch. As I sat there savoring my sweet tea, I thought, "With all the options available to me today, with the weather so beautiful, why, WHY did I choose to clean house?!" God gave me a one-word answer, "Peace."
If I had rushed through my chores and out the door, I would have missed my time with Him. I would have wandered around all day, accomplished nothing, dreading the thought of coming home to a dirty house. Instead, I had a calm feeling that, when the time came for me to come home, it would be to a welcoming place. When the sun shines through the windows, I don't have to worry about seeing the dust floating around. When I walk across the floors barefoot, I don't have to worry about stepping on anything or tracking dirt. I don't have to worry about somebody coming over and being embarrassed for them to use the bathroom. I know that the dishes and laundry are done, that my family will have what they need. I know that when I go to bed tonight, I will have clean, crisp sheets to rest in.
Now, I'm not crazy enough to think that the house will stay this way. Life happens, and it can be messy. Dirt will be tracked through, things will be spilled, the garbage will pile up. And the baby will laugh, and friends and family will gather, and we will enjoy our supper, and God will be with us through it all. And next Saturday, we'll clean it all again.
I guess you could say that today I stopped and smelled the Pine-Sol.
I recorded my thoughts on Facebook this morning -
"My eyes and my to-do list tell me I should be cleaning the house. My body says I should be sitting on the couch drinking my coffee. My mind thinks I should go outside or get in the car and just drive. Trying to find a happy medium to satisfy them all."
Turns out there were several ladies having the same thoughts and feelings as me, and they offered words of advice and encouragement. I decided I would do a "quick clean," hit the high spots dusting, run a vacuum over the floor, and wipe down the bathrooms. I figured it wouldn't take more than 30 minutes, then I can be out and on to more fun things. God had other ideas.
For the next two hours, me and God cleaned and talked and listened. He revealed things to me through the vacuuming, the laundry, the dishes, the dusting. I hope you can read past the physical house cleaning and see the spiritual messages He shared with me.
I thought back to years ago and how I always hated to clean. The vacuum didn't pick up that much. The broom and mop were dirty so mopping didn't do much good. The dusting just stirred up more dust, and the dishes and laundry were never-ending. He reminded me how blessed I am now to have the new cleaning tools I don't mind using.
I remembered how much my husband complained when we first got the new carpet. "Why do you have to have so many people over? The carpet's just gonna get ruined quicker." Well, is that not why we got it? What good did it do to expand the living room, get new furniture, new paint, and new carpet if we weren't going to share it with others? The dirt and stains can be cleaned. (That's like buying a new car and not driving it because you're afraid to put miles on it - ???)
When it came time to sweep and mop the kitchen, I thought I would just offer to buy somebody's lunch if they would come do it for me. Sounded like a simple plan to accomplish the one chore still causes me pain and I don't enjoy at all. But God very plainly said, "Um, no. YOU have a huge mess piled in the corner of YOUR kitchen. YOU need to clean up YOUR mess, and YOU need to sweep and mop YOUR own kitchen." Geesh! You'd think he was a parent or something!
I decided to reward myself by taking myself out to lunch. As I sat there savoring my sweet tea, I thought, "With all the options available to me today, with the weather so beautiful, why, WHY did I choose to clean house?!" God gave me a one-word answer, "Peace."
If I had rushed through my chores and out the door, I would have missed my time with Him. I would have wandered around all day, accomplished nothing, dreading the thought of coming home to a dirty house. Instead, I had a calm feeling that, when the time came for me to come home, it would be to a welcoming place. When the sun shines through the windows, I don't have to worry about seeing the dust floating around. When I walk across the floors barefoot, I don't have to worry about stepping on anything or tracking dirt. I don't have to worry about somebody coming over and being embarrassed for them to use the bathroom. I know that the dishes and laundry are done, that my family will have what they need. I know that when I go to bed tonight, I will have clean, crisp sheets to rest in.
Now, I'm not crazy enough to think that the house will stay this way. Life happens, and it can be messy. Dirt will be tracked through, things will be spilled, the garbage will pile up. And the baby will laugh, and friends and family will gather, and we will enjoy our supper, and God will be with us through it all. And next Saturday, we'll clean it all again.
I guess you could say that today I stopped and smelled the Pine-Sol.
Monday, February 6, 2017
My New Ride (part 2)
I don’t mean to just keep on about this, but God keeps showing me things through this whole car-buying-swapping business. Maybe somebody out there can relate or needs to hear it too. I’m not going to try to put it in a story form, but will just put it out there randomly the way it’s given to me. I also won’t try to explain the spiritual lesson in each one. You may not get the same thing out of it that I did, and I wouldn’t want to stand in your way.
• I went into this asking for God’s guidance, but setting my own limits and putting my own low expectations on what I could get. I never expected to get a brand new vehicle - but I guess God saw what I didn’t. It’s on the higher stretch of what I thought I could afford, and it will require some discipline and planning on my part, but it is do-able.
• I looked at and actually test drove the vehicle I thought I would like. But when we got there, it was dirty. It had not been cleaned up much at all. It was loud; it was a lot bigger than I expected (huge actually), and I knew almost immediately it wasn’t for me. I also drove the vehicle that was my #1 top choice. It was fully-loaded, had all the bells and whistles, all the extras, and cost a pretty penny. When asked how I liked it - I loved it! But it honestly had more features that I would ever use. It was too much for me. As my husband put it, "the more gadgets it's got, the more there is that can go wrong with it."
• “What features are you looking for?” Well, I haven’t had any in so long anything would be a step up. A power seat and a radio would suit me just fine. I want to downsize from the minivan, but also want to keep some room and not feel claustrophobic. Done. (Except I didn’t get a power seat, although it is more adjustable than my old one.)
• All the salespeople at the previous dealers we went to were more concerned about “how much can you spend?" and "let me see what I have that fits that." This guy kept asking me “what do you like/not like about this, and why?” He got personally involved. (I’ve talked to some of the others since buying the Jeep and they have not been friendly.)
• I knew the body style vehicle I wanted. I wanted something LIKE an ABC, but I don’t want an ABC because everybody everywhere drives an ABC. I wanted something different, something that stands out. (Names of the vehicles have been changed to protect the innocent lol.)
• I have always loved to drive. It can be very relaxing. When I’m stressed or it’s been a long day, a drive and some good music usually do the trick. When there are times I need to talk to God, but I can’t clear my mind enough to get a prayer out, driving would help clear the thoughts so God could get through. Lately though, I had not been enjoying the drive. It was just getting from one place to another. It was nothing special, definitely not soothing or relaxing, and possibly causing more anxiety (and some days it even smelled bad). Now I’ve got new car smell, a smooth ride, that handles curves and bumps like a breeze.
• I went into this asking for God’s guidance, but setting my own limits and putting my own low expectations on what I could get. I never expected to get a brand new vehicle - but I guess God saw what I didn’t. It’s on the higher stretch of what I thought I could afford, and it will require some discipline and planning on my part, but it is do-able.
• I looked at and actually test drove the vehicle I thought I would like. But when we got there, it was dirty. It had not been cleaned up much at all. It was loud; it was a lot bigger than I expected (huge actually), and I knew almost immediately it wasn’t for me. I also drove the vehicle that was my #1 top choice. It was fully-loaded, had all the bells and whistles, all the extras, and cost a pretty penny. When asked how I liked it - I loved it! But it honestly had more features that I would ever use. It was too much for me. As my husband put it, "the more gadgets it's got, the more there is that can go wrong with it."
• “What features are you looking for?” Well, I haven’t had any in so long anything would be a step up. A power seat and a radio would suit me just fine. I want to downsize from the minivan, but also want to keep some room and not feel claustrophobic. Done. (Except I didn’t get a power seat, although it is more adjustable than my old one.)
• All the salespeople at the previous dealers we went to were more concerned about “how much can you spend?" and "let me see what I have that fits that." This guy kept asking me “what do you like/not like about this, and why?” He got personally involved. (I’ve talked to some of the others since buying the Jeep and they have not been friendly.)
• I knew the body style vehicle I wanted. I wanted something LIKE an ABC, but I don’t want an ABC because everybody everywhere drives an ABC. I wanted something different, something that stands out. (Names of the vehicles have been changed to protect the innocent lol.)
• I have always loved to drive. It can be very relaxing. When I’m stressed or it’s been a long day, a drive and some good music usually do the trick. When there are times I need to talk to God, but I can’t clear my mind enough to get a prayer out, driving would help clear the thoughts so God could get through. Lately though, I had not been enjoying the drive. It was just getting from one place to another. It was nothing special, definitely not soothing or relaxing, and possibly causing more anxiety (and some days it even smelled bad). Now I’ve got new car smell, a smooth ride, that handles curves and bumps like a breeze.
Sunday, February 5, 2017
My New Ride
My yesterday didn't go quite as planned. I had to say good-bye to an old trusted friend - my minivan. The minivan has been a part of our family since 2005. It has taken us on every family vacation, road trip, visits out of state and local. It has taken us to church and back every week. It has hauled groceries and kids and adults, and even some furniture. It was hard to let it go.
Over the last few years, the minivan has seen a decline in performance. The paint wasn't in real good shape. The radio quit working. The entire electrical system was iffy. It had an oil leak. It made a funny noise. Every time you hit a pothole just right the interior lights would come on. It was losing gas mileage. And as we were driving it yesterday, the brakes started squealing. About the only thing we couldn't complain about was the heat and air conditioning. It was becoming in bad need of repair. But it would still crank and run. It was comfortable. I knew all its quirks and had gotten accustomed to its faults. Still I knew the day would come when I would have to move on to something different.
Yesterday we left home with the intent of just browsing a few car lots, test driving some vehicles to see what I did and didn't like. We knew what we could afford and what overall body style, so we went looking for what was within our limits. For the first time, I prayed for God's guidance in the decision.
We were at the last car lot on my list, test driving the vehicle I had seen online they had available. It was NOT what I was looking for. But the salesman worked with us, letting us test drive other vehicles, asking what I liked and what I didn't like, all while keeping in mind our money situation. That didn't stop him from letting me test drive the car that, if money had not been an issue, I definitely would have taken home. It was LOADED. Even my husband loved it. But we knew there was no way. Still the salesman worked. He asked if we had considered something brand new. "No, we haven't. There's no way we can afford a brand new car." "Let me see what I can do."
Then he drove around the building in a brand new, shiny black, small SUV-type, Jeep. "Just try it." So...three hours later we were the owners of a brand new 2017 Jeep Cherokee Sport. It has a few more perks than we had expected, but it's not fully loaded. It fit perfectly with what I was looking for. At first I thought I would be sick. I haven't had a car payment in six or seven years and, to be honest, it scared me. But I prayed again and got peace. Funny how God cares about such things.
As we went through the usual negotiation process, it was decided we would have to trade in the old minivan. It was not something we had anticipated or even been prepared to do. We had planned to get another vehicle and bring the old one home. I didn't even take time to wash it or clean out all the trash. So, in the end, we left a dirty, floor board covered in junk mail and napkins and takeout cups and half-bottles of water. We only kept what was useful.
This morning, I drove my new vehicle to church. We sang some new songs. And the Lord began to show me some things. As bad as it hurt for me to let go; as scary as it was to have to pay a cost; it was time, and it was needful. Sometimes we get so caught up in the old and comfortable, we don't realize it's still possible for us to have shiny and new again. Everything I had gotten use to being without (a radio, a blinker that turns itself off, lights that work when they are supposed to and only when they are supposed to) was keeping me from enjoying what God had for me. And I had to leave behind things I thought I couldn't do without.
Over the last few years, the minivan has seen a decline in performance. The paint wasn't in real good shape. The radio quit working. The entire electrical system was iffy. It had an oil leak. It made a funny noise. Every time you hit a pothole just right the interior lights would come on. It was losing gas mileage. And as we were driving it yesterday, the brakes started squealing. About the only thing we couldn't complain about was the heat and air conditioning. It was becoming in bad need of repair. But it would still crank and run. It was comfortable. I knew all its quirks and had gotten accustomed to its faults. Still I knew the day would come when I would have to move on to something different.
Yesterday we left home with the intent of just browsing a few car lots, test driving some vehicles to see what I did and didn't like. We knew what we could afford and what overall body style, so we went looking for what was within our limits. For the first time, I prayed for God's guidance in the decision.
We were at the last car lot on my list, test driving the vehicle I had seen online they had available. It was NOT what I was looking for. But the salesman worked with us, letting us test drive other vehicles, asking what I liked and what I didn't like, all while keeping in mind our money situation. That didn't stop him from letting me test drive the car that, if money had not been an issue, I definitely would have taken home. It was LOADED. Even my husband loved it. But we knew there was no way. Still the salesman worked. He asked if we had considered something brand new. "No, we haven't. There's no way we can afford a brand new car." "Let me see what I can do."
Then he drove around the building in a brand new, shiny black, small SUV-type, Jeep. "Just try it." So...three hours later we were the owners of a brand new 2017 Jeep Cherokee Sport. It has a few more perks than we had expected, but it's not fully loaded. It fit perfectly with what I was looking for. At first I thought I would be sick. I haven't had a car payment in six or seven years and, to be honest, it scared me. But I prayed again and got peace. Funny how God cares about such things.
As we went through the usual negotiation process, it was decided we would have to trade in the old minivan. It was not something we had anticipated or even been prepared to do. We had planned to get another vehicle and bring the old one home. I didn't even take time to wash it or clean out all the trash. So, in the end, we left a dirty, floor board covered in junk mail and napkins and takeout cups and half-bottles of water. We only kept what was useful.
This morning, I drove my new vehicle to church. We sang some new songs. And the Lord began to show me some things. As bad as it hurt for me to let go; as scary as it was to have to pay a cost; it was time, and it was needful. Sometimes we get so caught up in the old and comfortable, we don't realize it's still possible for us to have shiny and new again. Everything I had gotten use to being without (a radio, a blinker that turns itself off, lights that work when they are supposed to and only when they are supposed to) was keeping me from enjoying what God had for me. And I had to leave behind things I thought I couldn't do without.
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