I am crying as I type this - I'm crying because of my stupidity, my selfishness, my concerns about my "own little world." I'll tell you right away (because you will wonder) the reason I put this under Biblical discussions is because apparently, I really missed a big one: God is who He says He is.
I own a cleaning and painting business which was small to begin with, but has been hit hard due to the economy. My contractors are having their own people do the needed cleanup and painting to keep them in work, and some of the businesses offered my cleaning position to people employed with them full-time to keep them working full-time. I've told them I completely understand their decisions and I have no ill feelings whatsoever. Times are tough.
However, this has caused me to fall behind, and one of the things I fell behind on was car payments. I am one payment behind. Seriously. One payment. Plus, I had talked to the bank and worked out an arrangement with them. (this will add to God's glory - keep reading).
Tonight, there was a knock at my door from the "repo man" asking me for my keys. I was dumbfounded. One payment behind???? What???? He had my car already hooked up to the tow and told me I could call the bank in the morning to discuss it (again, this gets better, plus, I'm still crying, so please...keep reading).
I watched as he towed my car away, and ended up walking to one of the few jobs I have left (not far from where I live, thank God). I must have looked drained, because one of the kids that works there (to me he's a kid - he's 19) asked if I was okay. I smiled and told him I was fine, but was having "car problems." He offered to give me a ride home after work, which I accepted.
This is where the tears are really flowing and I'm having a hard time seeing the screen....
On the ride home, I asked the commonly asked question -"So how are things going with you?" After a big sigh, he said, "oh...fine." I smiled and told him he didn't sound very convincing (to me, this was still just "small talk"). He pulled the car over to the side of the road and said, "Can I talk to you for a minute?" I told him he could talk to me about anything.
He told me about his mom - his absent dad - the struggles with getting away from the drugs he found himself falling into - and he told me that last night, he sat with a loaded gun in his lap, trying to decide whether or not to put it to his head.
We talked for four hours. I can't begin to tell you the things that poured out of this kid - just looking for someone that would listen. Looking for help - looking for God.
He checked into a treatment facility tonight. I didn't in any way force him - he suggested it. He just needed someone to tell him it everything would be okay.
Does anyone remember at this point that my car got repossessed tonight? My stupid, insignificant, piece of metal, completely replaceable, worthless car?
Amazing ending, I knew it would be for you. You know GOD is so much bigger and thinks so much further than we ever could. Who would have thought your night would turn out as such. Blessings to you Linnie! Thank you for sharing. It was a reminder to me as well, there are times when I am in my own 'selfish' bubble. I need to stop, reflect on the Lord and what HE's already done for me and find someone in which to share the good news.
I am having such a bad run of luck, with things with my ex and my kids and work and money, and I am so discouraged, it's nice to see the lords work in someones life. It's been a while since i saw a stream of things all happen for the good like that (rom 8:28)
But while I was praying at the foot of my bed my oldest son came in and said dad, God does everything for those who love him and I know you love him, It will all work out. Sad happy tears.
This is so great hearing how the Lord is providing and making something wonderful out of what started out as not seeming such like a good day! For some odd reason I keep thinking this ain't over yet Linnie, keep us posted will ya?
My daughter texted me and said, "People always ask, 'What did I do to deserve this? Why is this happening to me?' The real question should be, 'What did I do to deserve such an amazing opportunity to prove how strong God is?"
Seriously, thanks for sharing. What a true reminder of how great God is in his blessings - even though we may never understand why at the time, but we find out the reason later. Sounds like a blessing in disguise to me...
I'll pray for and and the guy as well. I'm very glad he told you what was going on and is now seeking the help he so desperately needs.
Awesome, Linnie. That was a wonderful story to hear. Praise God. And then you get another car. The Lord provides and He certainly did so with you and that boy. Praying that things improve and that someday you'll hear back from him.
The power of faith and trust in 's word and His works is more than a wonders for the saints and the sinners, just as God's word tells us, He rains on the saints and the sinners based on their faith.
This is why we are taught not to worry about STUFF, that can be taken away or stolen from us at any given time. And Paul and James also lets us know that we should count it all joy (not that we should go around like a crazed nut), rejoicing in knowing that if God be for us who could possibly dare to be against us. Therefore, we can by faith trust in God and count it all joy when we endure trials and tribulations and setbacks, etc....these trials works toward developing our character, and our character produces HOPE.
Because only God will restore and provide, only God can lift one up and put another down, only God can give us the joy in our hearts through our hardtimes, sicknesses, tribulations, unemployment, or whatever. With a heart of fiath, we are able to give an answer to those who see and know what we're going through and wonder... how can it be, you're so full of life with all your problems and troubles... well, our answer should be that the JOY of the LORD is my strength, and my treasures are laid up in heaven, and all these other things I don't have or have need of, God has promised HE would add them to me according to the faith that works in me. Abraham BELIEVED GOD, and it was his faith to believe that God would do everything He said He would do, and it was counted to him as righteousness becauSe of his faith...