What an UNEXPECTED RUSH Through the Holiday Season!

Who would have guessed that I would total my car just before Thanksgiving and spend the next three weeks looking for a replacement?

While I was driving back from the veterinarian, my front passenger tire hit a ditch on the edge of the road. I sailed off road at 50 miles per hour and bumped up and down through 3 gullies before coming to a stop. Sitting there in amazement, my first thought was comical: "This must be God's chiropractic adjustment." The car was still running, so I drove up out of the gully and examined the car. Some things were hanging but not scraping. I drove 5 miles home, applied duct tape, drove back to pick up the dog, did 20 miles to pick up my daughter then 20 miles back home. The next day the verdict was in: thousands of dollars of damage. A few days later the insurance company decided to total the car.

Friends reported that other accidents have occurred at that same spot, rollovers and injuries. In a matter of seconds, my car was air-born, out of my control. It was a divine moment recognizing the brevity of life. I see God's grace in preserving my life and I am vulnerable to fear. Driving requires intense concentration and control of that fear.

Thus began 3 weeks of online searching and testing. My mind was continually distracted and consumed with the idea of getting another car. It was only after realizing how much time and brain space the car search was occupying that I repented of allowing the search to be likened to idolatry. I purposed to look only one hour a day and trust God to provide. Two days later, the Lord answered with the desired car. The car is two years newer than the one I had, the model I wanted, one previous owner, and 64,000 miles. Because it has more safety features, the insurance cost went down.

What was the purpose in this divine scheme? What changes have I come away with?

The scripture that comes to mind is "In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1Thes 5:18. I give thanks to God for protecting me, that I was not hurt, that He still has a purpose for my life this side of heaven.

I am re-dedicated to fulfilling the work I believe he has for me. I am more intentional in my driving, setting gps before leaving home, putting the phone on airplane mode, pulling over when I do need to make a call rather than talking while driving. I recognize my own limitations and plan accordingly. Anything that consumes my mind is a false idol and worthy of repentance, even a car search.