Not my car…but you get the general idea!
As I pulled away from the house to return to work, I noticed a spot on the driveway. I angled back in the drive to investigate, and my suspicions were confirmed – a leak under the car! My car is a 2003 model and has over 175,000 miles on it. It’s a “Hails’ car,” so trouble with it is not a new occurrence for our household.
I sighed and watched for any indicator lights as I returned to work. When I left for Bible study, I noticed a fresh bit of liquid on my parking spot, not much, but definitely something.
At Bible study we had a discussion of Genesis 1:1 and listened to a video message from Jen Wilkin on the same verse (God of Creation, a Study of Genesis 1-11). She spoke of the implications of God as the sole Creator of everything – one of those being His eternality – the God who is not bound by time, and holds all knowledge of eternity past, present and future. As I’d worked on the homework and listened to her message several times, the sense of security that we as believers can have in such a sovereign God continued to be impressed upon me. I should not have been surprised that as soon as the study was over, this eternal God, my heavenly Father, would provide circumstances to let me see where my security was being placed.
Sure enough, as I approached my beloved car, a long stream of water was going down the parking lot from it. I headed home, watching for signs of overheating and praying. “Father, you knew this was going to happen today. You’re not surprised by this at all. Lord, you know that we just put X amount of dollars today toward one of our financial goals. You know that we have X amount of dollars set aside for a trip to see our kids. You know our need where this car is concerned. Thank you for allowing this situation. Please don’t let it discourage Rock when I tell him about it. Show us what to do.”
The hubster listened to what happened and went out to inspect the car. He couldn’t see anything at that moment, but told me he’d had a similar experience with his car as well! (Hails’ cars strike again!) And God heard my prayer. He wasn’t upset by the news. In fact, God was dealing with Rock in this area as well. (BTW – I love doing life with this man who follows Christ with all his heart…but I digress!) We would see what was going on in the daylight and take it to the mechanic if needed.
Today I got a call from Rock. He had gone to a meeting and when he came out, a huge puddle was under his car. He called our mechanic who said he’d look at it. I ran out to see about my car, and I had a small amount of water. It looked like we’d be riding together and shuffling use of cars for a few days.
The tremendous part about this was the sense that God was in control, and I was not in the depths of despair. Believe me, I can go to that well quite often where money matters are involved! Then Rock called to say we were both experiencing a condensation tube from our car heaters getting rid of water. We needed to be on the alert to be sure there was no antifreeze, etc. in it, but there would be no need for repair! Hallelujah!
Moses says in Deuteronomy 33:27a (NIV), “The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” With gratefulness, I experienced His refuge and everlasting arms today. His Word truly is “a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105), if I will let Him apply it to my life.
Why do you say, O Jacob, and assert, O Israel, ‘My way is hidden from the Lord, and the justice due me escapes the notice of my God’? Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable.” (Isaiah 40:27-28)
Do you find yourself surrounded by a hedge of thorns? What kind of thorns make up your hedge? Unfulfilled dreams? Difficulties at work? Loss of job? Bad relationships? Poor health? Debt? Car troubles? Disappointments? Ridicule from those you wouldn’t call friends? Could it be something blocking you from doing what you want or need to do?
The Clean Housekeeper Wannabe 