God, Your Car is Broken

Two weeks ago the transmission quit on our 2005 Ford Taurus.  Mike and I were on our way on a Saturday morning to the funeral of a dear church member who had passed away.  Mike was responsible for leadership in the funeral; the preaching and music.  We were just driving down the rode talking when all of a sudden the transmission just died.  Thankfully we were able to coast into a parking space and another church member attending the funeral was able to come and pick us up so that Mike was able to make it there in time.

This is the car that we make the last payment on in January...this coming January...only 7 months away.

Now to say we've been discouraged by this would be an understatement.  Mike and I have paid our share of "stupid tax" as he likes to call it where finances are concerned.  But over the past 4 years or so we have submitted to God in some areas and we have seen Him pour out His blessings on us.  They really are too many to recount here!  We have buckled down and committed to living a frugal life and made some huge sacrifices to not go into any more debt and are looking at some huge things coming off our backs in the next two years.

We see the light at the end of a very long tunnel...and now this.

Last Sunday night our pastor was continuing a series he had started on "What Has Gone Wrong With Man?".  In answer to the question, "Why did God create man?" he shared these two points:

1. To reflect God (Gen. 1:26-28)
2. To represent God

While sharing some thoughts on representing God, he made mention of responsible stewardship.  This has been a theme for me and Mike as we've sought over the past several years to honor God more in our lives.  Pastor Hal encouraged us in his sermon to "hold our things with an open hand", reminding us that everything we have has been given to us by God.  As an illustration, he shared that if your way of transportation has been disrupted to say, "God, your car is broken."

I have to confess that I almost laughed out loud...but then I thought, "You know, he is right."

Now, don't misunderstand me or Hal.  God is not for one minute surprised by that transmission quitting!  I don't have to let Him know about it, because He knew about it long before it happened.  It's just a reminder that that car isn't mine to begin with!

So, we're looking at around a $2,000.00 repair on a car that is almost paid for...Sigh.......

After praying about this over the past two weeks and feeling the strong commitment to not go into any more debt, Mike has been led to the idea of using his God-given talents to hopefully glorify God, bless others and get our car fixed!  He has had people over the years in different churches we have served tell him that he really needs to make a cd of his music and singing.

So, that is what he is going to do.  He is going to make a cd with 10 songs on it including some old and new titles.  Here is what will be on the recording:

1. I'm Unworthy of the Least of all Your Mercies
2. Sound Forth His Word
3. Adoration Medley (I Love Him; Lord, I Praise You For Who You Are, Jesus, You are Lord to Me)
4. Bloom Where You are Planted (written by the husband of the lady whose funeral Mike led)
5. I'm Gonna Live Forever
6. In the Garden
7. God of Grace and God of Glory
8. How Sweet and Awful
9. The Old Rugged Cross
10. Thy Mercy My God

So, if you would like to take this journey with us and enjoy some good music along the way, we are officially taking cd orders.  The cd's are $5.00 plus shipping and handling or $10.00 and free shipping.  Let me know in the comments if you'd like a cd.  Be sure and leave me your email address so that I can communicate with you.  If you feel uncomfortable leaving your email address in the comments the just shoot me an email:  jenmom1707@yahoo.com.

I'll leave you with this quote from William Law on the exacting requirements of a godly lifestyle:

"Devotion signifies a life given, or devoted to God.  He therefore is the devout man, who lives no longer to his own will, or the way and spirit of the world, but to the sole will of God, who considers God in everything, who serves God in everything, who makes all the parts of his common life, parts of piety, by doing everything in the name of God, and under such rules as are conformable to His Glory."

God, your car is broken and I trust that You are going to fix it in Your way and in Your timing.  I thank you that we have another car to get us where we need to go for the time being.  Thank you for lending these cars to us and help us to be good stewards of all you have blessed us with. Help us to glorify you in everything we do and say,