Skip to main content

It's Not Always "Just A Car"

It's "just a car." That's an easy phrase for me to say when having to depart with a vehicle and trying not to feel bummed. Perhaps I'm also trying to distance myself from seeming materialistic and putting forth the acknowledgment that this is after all a hunk of mostly metal and plastic. It's also an attempt to put into perspective that my family has another vehicle and there are many people less fortunate.  However, I'm fairly confident we're all attached to our vehicles. Some of us more so than others.

There wasn't much special about my 2001 Toyota Solara. When I bought her in 2006, I wasn't looking for that specific model. I needed a reliable car at a good price to get me to my work in DC. It was a departure from my previous two antique Benz. The last of which I had transported to Maryland from Mississippi. That 280SE served me well but just wasn't a commuter vehicle. It was sad to see her go, too.

I think vehicles not only represent some extension of our personality but they also represent freedom. It's the ability to travel anywhere at anytime. This isn't an issue in larger cities with well established public transportation. There, much of what one wants to do or get to is within walking distance.

They're also somewhat part of the family. Life is lived in these machines. The take us to or are directly involved with the good, bad, and ugly times. So, when they are wrecked beyond repair or are suddenly no longer worth putting more money into - as was my case - there's a loss. For me, it was a sense of mourning.

Added to that was some embarrassment. I was certain this issue was an AC compressor failing because I had researched it and gotten an opinion from two mechanics. Instead, the buyer of the car identified the Solara having a leaking head gasket and the loud noise was actually coming from the engine. On the plus side, if I had towed it to my mechanic to get the compressor fixed, he would've diagnosed the real issue and I would've had to sell it from his lot. Instead, it's no longer outside and will get a new engine and a new life in Virginia.

Meanwhile, asking for prayer about finding a new vehicle is perfectly normal for me. The Lord has always guided us to the best vehicles. They've been what we needed and often had what we wanted. Some might find that odd...why pray for God to find a car? I believe the Lord is interested in everything we do. Every decision. Every choice. We can either act on our own and face the consequences of those choices, or we can pray for His wisdom and discernment. I believe His wisdom and discernment are crucial in everything from choosing a job, house, car, and medical procedure to having the words to say during a conversation.

I know God will provide the right car at the right time for my family. It certainly may not be when or how I expected, but that really doesn't matter. When He orchestrates the moment, we just need to be willing to be willing.




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

I Can Honestly Say Jon Is My Best Friend

At the beginning of this year, these were Kate Gosselin's words in an interview with Today's Christian Woman : "I can honestly say Jon is my best friend." Kate also says, "When the babies were born, I was well aware that our marriage could crumble. It was close to doing so at times. But we survived that first year. And then the second one. And then each year after that. Even though the issues have changed, it's never gotten easier. "But Jon and I are more determined than ever that we're in this together. We've told our kids many times that we're always going to be a family. There are no other options. Sure, Jon and I take our stress out on each other, and no, that's not always good or healthy. But we work hard as a team every day."
193 comments
READ THE FULL STORY »

A Very Angry Prostate

Cancer.  No other word evokes so many emotions and consumes so many thoughts of both the one with the diagnosis and those who learn of it. On Tuesday, June 25, at 4:40pm, I learned that I have prostate cancer.  One of the questions I'm most asked: "How did you know to check?" Naturally, some wondered if I had signs or pains. There were none. Last September, I had my second physical with my new primary physician. With an age of 50, he requested a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test be added to my blood panel. The next day, the results were in my portal. For my age, my PSA should be no higher than 4. My reading was 4.191. Since this number was out of range, the portal chart visually shouted at me that this was HIGH. Googling sent me into a spiral of thinking I might have prostate cancer which led to many thoughts of mortality. I was at work sitting in my cubicle attempting to calm myself and praying as waves of anxiety, thoughts and emotions washed in. I contacte...
2 comments
READ THE FULL STORY »

When Three Weeks Felt Like Three Months

These words have taken months to reconcile as I've wrestled with and revisited many times over. Summarizing three very long weeks of December 2023 has been quite the challenge. I was in Mississippi for what began as a hip fracture for my mother and ended in her passing. It's still rather surreal for her to be gone. The first Mother's Day without her impacted me more than what would've been her 86th birthday on January 24 or what would've been her 67th wedding anniversary on April 4. Not getting a call from her on my birthday July 1 was also a void which was filled with Dad calling in birthday wishes. My family being a thousand miles away for the last 20 years, only speaking on the phone once or twice a month, visits only being every few years due to life and expenses...it feels almost routine being disconnected from Mom. Yet, random memories and various regrets have trickled through my mind since those exhausting weeks in December. Three weeks which felt like three ...
2 comments
READ THE FULL STORY »