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.
Monday, February 6, 2017
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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