The Story of Two Cars

 Many years ago, in 2008 to be exact, I was looking for a car. I had just moved back from OH and was also looking for a job. One day I got a job and the next day I went out and bought a car. A 2004 Chevy Impala. It was much newer and shinier back then! 

I've never been really fond of car shopping and in those days I didn't really have anyone to go with me. So I went out by my lonesome. I drove around to the dealerships in Hutch, not knowing what I was looking for. I hadn't done any research, but when I saw this one I liked it! (I am partial to certain colors and styles.) I took it for a spin and drove it by my mechanic to have him look it over. Everything checked out and that night I went home with a new car! I was elated, to say the least!

It has served me well, over all, aside from a pesky starter issue that haunted me for years and didn't seem to have any resolution. And, after 17 years with 225,000 miles, I decided it might be time to start the search for a new one. Unfortunately, this search did not go quickly like the last one. In fact, I would say it started a couple years ago with varying degrees of persistence. 

That new car seemed quite elusive! I talked with different people, had a guy looking for me, prayed long and hard, did research, asked friends to pray, all to no avail, it seemed. And I worried, and worried some more. What if my car gives out before I find another one? What if it leaves me set? What if I have to put a lot more money into it?

Then one day I was directed to ask another friend to help me in my search. He was delighted to help me out and went at it with a vengeance. He found one in Olathe that seemed like a good option but was above my price range. He worked with the salesman to bring the price down. At last it was at a price I was willing to pay, but still I wasn't sure about driving 3 hours by myself to get it. So I said I'm not interested. 

However, a week later as I was praying about this car issue I felt like I was to reach back out and see if this car was still available. It was! I wanted to go that day, but had to arrange to get off work and that didn't happen till 2 days later. Would the car still be there?? I felt strongly that if it was for me, it would be, but, oh the suspense in the meantime!

The night before I was scheduled to go I talked with the salesman and he said it was still available. Half an hour later he texted me and said someone else was interested and they were taking it home overnight and would decide in the morning. The next morning he texted me and said their financing didn't go through so it was still fair game!

A coworker offered to go with me and we took off with high hopes. I let him take the wheel and settled back to enjoy the ride. The 3-hour drive was spent in friendly chatter as the miles melted away behind us. Before I knew it we were pulling in to the dealership. It was love at first sight! We took it for a spin, sealed the deal, and that night I drove it home - smiling all the way! A 2022 Toyota Camry!

And those are my "God" stories of my 2 cars! They are very different and yet so good. God likes to work with processes. I don't always understand the way He works, but I can be confident He is working whether it takes one day or years. 

I really liked my first car and loved that I found it in one day, but there is something about the long process of finding this one, that made me feel really, really loved and cared for when it did come. 

So don't despair. Keep trusting the process! It may not look like you think, but in the end it will be much better than you ever imagined!

Trusting the Process

P.S. I wouldn't have had to worry about selling my old one, either. Two days later it was sold and gone with more money in my pocket than I ever expected to get out of it. I must say I shed a few tears as it drove away. Saying goodbye to a 17-yr old friend pulls on the heart strings.