I knew that the month of June was going to be a month of miracles. Little did I know just how big those miracles were going to be. I am still waiting in expectation for rain, and I am waiting in expectation for Janet and Gary’s finances, but I know, more than ever, that God is in control. I was concerned for June because I was moving, and housesitting, and getting ready for the first Grillz, and taking over FUEL duties, and getting ready to go out of town. Then in the middle of the month, I started having car problems. Only to find out that they just kept getting worse and worse.
It started with my catalytic converter. A pipe broke and needed to be welded. The fact that it could be welded and did not need replaced was a miracle. It saved me a $1,000. Then I became aware of what I already knew, that my tires were wearing down and I needed them replaced. I had just replaced them a year ago! So with a hopeful, but heavy heart, I took my car in for an alignment and to get my tires replaced. Hoping they would honor the warranty and replace them for a discounted price.
They agreed to discount the new tires by 70%, for the portion not used, but told me that I definitely needed an alignment and that I needed a new camber kit for the front right side. I was a little disappointed that I was going to be putting out more money, yet again, but I didn’t have a choice. Once they had the car apart they called me with more bad news. The right side of my subframe was so rusted out, that my car was unsafe to drive because the arm may break and I could lose control of the vehicle or it could roll. I was downtrodden, but also grateful that they had made the discovery before I went on my road trip. Their advice? Trade it in.
I knew trading my car in was not an option. I still have not paid this car off, and I was not about to pawn my car’s problems on to someone else. Especially dangerous problems. So I took it for a second opinion from a friend’s husband. His diagnosis was the same. With a heavy heart I called my mom and we began discussing options. She had hopeful news. During her research on the part, she found that my car had a recall on subframes, because they were rusting out. After a few phone calls, one to the Hyundai dealership that was right around the corner from my friends, house, NOT a coincidence, I discovered that my car was most likely covered.
However, they told me they could not see my car till next week. I calmly explained what I had previously read on a mechanic shop’s wall, “An emergency on your part does not necessarily constitute an emergency on ours.” I said, I know my emergency does not constitute an emergency for you, but I have a road trip planned for this weekend. If there is anyway that you could at least diagnose it before so I know what my options are, that would be great.” He said he would get it in the next day.
True to his word he did, and they called me with the news that my car was indeed covered, at no charge, and that they would be providing me with a rental, also at no charge, till the car was fixed. It gets better. After I initially found out I could not drive my car, my co-worker dropped me off at my roommate’s mom’s house. Where she just happened to have an extra car till her sister came home. This was the second time, during my car troubles that she lent me her car. Provision. Then when I initially told the Hyundai guy, Dan, that I was going on a road trip, he said, “You can’t take the rental out of the state, but let me check.” I see him go, “Oh, ok.” Then he tells me, “Yeah, I was mistaken you can take it out of state. If you keep it longer than it takes us to fix your car the rate is still only $32 a day at our rate.”
So backing up from this moment. When Firestone, the initial mechanics who found my rust issue, found out about my problem, the manager felt so bad for me, he discounted my bill $170. Not charging me for the alignment or the camber kit. If I have to pay for my rental, it will be right around $170. God is SO good. Better yet, I had also just discovered that my air conditioning was not working, and was a little sad for my mom, because she is riding back from Ohio with me. Air is not a necessity, but it was a bummer. Especially mid July... I was also thinking how nice sirius radio would be because I have been having ipod issues. The rental has air and sirius radio. Now that’s detailed and loving care from my Father.
God also stepped in to fight for me. I was preparing myself to have to “fight” for myself when I talked to Hyundai. I was researching the recall and case # myself, preparing to have to ask them for a rental. God made it so easy, I was like, REALLY? This is how easy it is? No questions, no fighting, just replacement and provision. I knew when I bought my Hyundai in 2010 that it was MY car that God was choosing this one for me. I can see now, what He saw then, the problems. However, I also am beginning to see what He has always known, that through trials, through broken catalytic converters, and rusted out subframes, He brings about our good.
The whole time that I was walking through these car troubles, I said it out loud, “Jesus, I trust you.” To the enemy as he tried to plant seeds of doubt, “We’re not doing this, God is in control, and you belong under my feet.” As I continued to say this to myself as each problem occurred I was overwhelmed with peace. God kept reassuring me that He had my back, that He really is as good as He says He is, and through this experience, I am blessed to see and know more of that too. He truly is my husband, my Father, my provider, my protector.
This is just one more of those “remember when” stories. The ones that you mediate on, the ones that bring praises to your lips. He deserves ALL the praise everyday. He is always GOOD, but it’s ironic how my praises are deeper, louder, more confident, after I have walked through a trial. Even when life changes, and the waters rise, and the fires rage, and we wonder where God is, He is good. When I can’t feel Him moving and I wonder why I have to walk through so many frustrations, He is unchanging. And when I begin to doubt, as my frail human heart does, God is still patiently loving.
Out of this situation may He receive all the glory, and may I tell this story of His faithfulness to anyone who will listen, and even the ones who don’t really get it or care. This is not a story of see how blessed I am, this is a story of a GOOD and benevolent God.
So often we take what God gives us and we run away so glad that we are not “suffering” anymore, but we forget to come back and thank Him. We forget that our lives should be one long, loving anthem of praise to the One Who made our joy possible, and complete. These praises are not just for one day they are for eternity. They should come from every breath that we breath. We should live and dwell in the confidence of WHO HE IS, not just what He can do for us. Because even if His ways are not ours, we can be certain that they are for the best. He sees the things that we do not see, and He has promised those that love Him, that ALL things work together for our good, according to His purposes. He HAS a plan to prosper us and not to harm us, to give us a hope and a future. He has come so that we may have life to the fullest.
As I was reading in Micah 7, He is ready to do miracles on our behalf, He delights in demonstrating His UNfailing love, and He always fights for us.
No comments:
Post a Comment