Hello everyone. Today I’m going to tell you about something that just came up last night. This all stems from a discussion on an e-mail sent out by the head elder at Norwalk Alliance Church every week in regards to the elder of the day. Every week Larry Lepard sends out the information to all the elders and board members on any meetings we have on Sunday as well as who the EOD is, and that last part is written in some funny way that might be obvious to some, and to others maybe not. Here is this week’s clue:
“The elder who is still driving his first used car from his teen-age days is elder of the day.”
If you haven’t guessed yet, that elder would be yours truly. Now, that clue brought about some ribbing I definitely deserved (due to how much of a pain in the rear I normally am with the group) in regards to if a rolling piece of duct tape (my words not theirs) actually qualifies as a car, etc. It was all in good fun, and as I said earlier I’m sure it’s very deserved! However, it did remind me that I haven’t shared the story about my car with many people. That realization led me to this writing:
“You know I’m darn proud of my moving tin can. First off, no duct tape on it, thought there should be. I know Lep knows this and knows I’m not taking offense to anything when I point this out: The Grand Am is a great example of our faith in God and trusting in Him, along with the resilience that He’s given my family. We’ve had numerous times when we could have, maybe even should have, bought something else but our faith in Him has kept that car going. I know that His desire is for my family to get out of debt and that car allows us to not put money into something else - while continuing to focus on Him and not ourselves. The good news is that we’ll be out of debt by the end of 09 in every way minus our house and student loans, and in ’10 we can put some money aside to get something else! Woo Hoo!
So, every day I drive that car is another day that we get closer to Him, and I tell you what, it’s a beautiful thing! I’ve told Lep that our goal in this is to be able to actually have money in the monthly budget to give to people for no reason other than them have a need and feeling lead by God to do that at the time. I can’t wait to leave the $50 tip for the waiter/waitress who looks down on their luck and provided great service. I can’t wait to see a guy who I think needs fellowship with other men and pay for them to go to Men’s retreat or to play softball, etc. This is what God has laid on our hearts. That is why Traci and I both work 2 jobs, why we don’t buy much for ourselves, etc. It’s His kingdom that will be the better because of my driving that thing until the day it croaks! (Ok, I also can’t wait for the day to have heat and AC in the primary car I drive again – but overall I drive it such short distances, who cares….I’m willing to sacrifice!)
BTW – I’m taking donations of duct tape any time. I’d prefer it in red if you have it!”
Here is a picture of the car I’m driving:
“The elder who is still driving his first used car from his teen-age days is elder of the day.”
If you haven’t guessed yet, that elder would be yours truly. Now, that clue brought about some ribbing I definitely deserved (due to how much of a pain in the rear I normally am with the group) in regards to if a rolling piece of duct tape (my words not theirs) actually qualifies as a car, etc. It was all in good fun, and as I said earlier I’m sure it’s very deserved! However, it did remind me that I haven’t shared the story about my car with many people. That realization led me to this writing:
“You know I’m darn proud of my moving tin can. First off, no duct tape on it, thought there should be. I know Lep knows this and knows I’m not taking offense to anything when I point this out: The Grand Am is a great example of our faith in God and trusting in Him, along with the resilience that He’s given my family. We’ve had numerous times when we could have, maybe even should have, bought something else but our faith in Him has kept that car going. I know that His desire is for my family to get out of debt and that car allows us to not put money into something else - while continuing to focus on Him and not ourselves. The good news is that we’ll be out of debt by the end of 09 in every way minus our house and student loans, and in ’10 we can put some money aside to get something else! Woo Hoo!
So, every day I drive that car is another day that we get closer to Him, and I tell you what, it’s a beautiful thing! I’ve told Lep that our goal in this is to be able to actually have money in the monthly budget to give to people for no reason other than them have a need and feeling lead by God to do that at the time. I can’t wait to leave the $50 tip for the waiter/waitress who looks down on their luck and provided great service. I can’t wait to see a guy who I think needs fellowship with other men and pay for them to go to Men’s retreat or to play softball, etc. This is what God has laid on our hearts. That is why Traci and I both work 2 jobs, why we don’t buy much for ourselves, etc. It’s His kingdom that will be the better because of my driving that thing until the day it croaks! (Ok, I also can’t wait for the day to have heat and AC in the primary car I drive again – but overall I drive it such short distances, who cares….I’m willing to sacrifice!)
BTW – I’m taking donations of duct tape any time. I’d prefer it in red if you have it!”
Here is a picture of the car I’m driving:
My Grandma Reta gave me that car when I turned 16, and it’s been mostly a blessing ever since (It is still a car you know). In other words I’ve had it half of my life now! Traci drove it for awhile after college, but it became my primary car again after we bought the van as the family kept expanding! BTW - This is a picture of the good side of the car!As you can see above, I'm not just writing this stuff for you guys and not living it, but instead we're fighting the good fight along side each and every one of you. We sacrifice in many ways. Traci and I hadn't been on a vacation without the kids in 10 years before last week, and even then we didn't go too far away. We didn't buy the bigger house that would have stretched us pretty far budget wise and instead bought one that was enough to meet our needs. I don't tell you this to make you feel that we're better than you, or deserve praise or pitty, etc. I do this to show you that it can be done. You have to take the leap of faith that HE WILL PROVIDE and that what he gives you is good enough. Come, walk along side of us getting close to Him each and every day.
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