Manual Not Included

Blessed by a Mazda6Posted by Kara on September 16th, 2009

It glares at me. Every time I turn on my car, the Service Engine Soon alert flashes and taunts me the entire car ride. If I put my left hand on the wheel at 10 o’clock and stick my thumb out horizontally, I can mask it. Which works fairly well until I have to make a turn and 10 o’clock becomes 12 o’clock and the alert taunts me once again. Each morning I stare at that light which glows brightly in contrast against the murky 5am sky, and think to myself, “Okay Kara, trust God. He’s got this.” That harsh orange light has been a true test of my faith!

But then again, Jim and I knew this day was coming. The day when fixing my 10 year old car isn’t worth it and digging deep into our savings to replace Esther (so named because she’s old and she smokes) is our only option. We’ve prepared for the day fairly well by pinching pennies and putting every spare dime into savings, but it hasn’t been fun. It’s so easy to fall into the trap of comparing ourselves to others, feeling left out while we sit on the purchasing sidelines watching our peers acquire cars and boats and houses and remodels and go on fancy trips while patiently (okay, impatiently at times!) waiting our turn to be blessed. I mean, we give faithfully and do everything the Bible tells us to do as far as testing God with our finances. But we still struggle. It’s true that God keeps us healthy and has prevented us from suffering any major catastrophes, but sometimes you need an in-your-face-I-didn’t-deserve-this-but-thank-You-so-much type of blessing.

My coworker and I were reminiscing about our weekends when she casually mentioned they bought a new car and would be selling their 2004 Mazda6 for quite a bit below the Blue Book value. I called Jim immediately after she left my office and told him about the car. I’ve seen the car and know they keep their cars in immaculate condition, so we set up a time to test-drive it. We’re going to bite the financial bullet and pay for the car with cash, and I will finally be able to drive to work with the assurance that I will make it back home.  What perfect timing!

The day after we agreed to buy the car, I checked the mail before getting home and walked into our apartment with my jaw dragging across the threshold, face pale from shock. Jim searched my eyes to figure out why I was so stunned and all I could do was give him the stack of mail and observe. His reaction wasn’t any different from mine as he discovered a check in the mail for the exact amount we need to buy the car. The. Very. Next. Day. A check we didn’t know was coming; a check written by someone who didn’t know we were planning on buying a car. Hello in-your-face-I-didn’t-deserve-this-but-thank-You-so-much type of blessing! We feel like we matter! We feel loved! We feel taken care of! We feel like the main attraction of the Thanksgiving Day parade all dressed up in our new car waving excitedly (elbow-elbow-wrist-wrist). Now instead of seeing a glaring orange light when I crank my engine reminding me I need to trust God, I walk out to my new car and am reminded of God’s grace.