August 12, 2025 – Control
Yesterday morning I took the mobility van to the dealership that the buyers had designated so their mechanics could look it over and give their approval or disapproval. I visited with the wife while we waited and so much of our conversation is what I couldn’t wait to tell about when I got home yesterday (she said I could share it), but the days keep getting away from me. I’m really glad I didn’t become a journalist. I’d have had a difficult time making deadlines (and in shortening my stories)!
Maybe I’ll be able to sprinkle in some of the inspiring faith stories she shared, but for sure there’s one that felt like confirmation that buying the Hyundai Tucson was the right decision. I told her about the conversation with Don and all of the safety features and she said she agrees with how great they are because of driving her sister’s new car recently that has safety features. As she was about to back out of a parking space, she saw a boy a ways down the street riding a scooter. Thinking she had plenty of time, she proceeded with backing only to have the car surprisingly jerk to a stop. Her sister said that the boy had sped up and was right behind her as she started backing and without that camera and the auto-brake system, she’d have hit him! I asked her what kind of car her sister has and she said, “A Hyundai Tucson.”
The service rep walked up to where we were sitting and said, “I have some disappointing news for y’all” and my heart sank. She handed each of us a copy of the report and when she said it was all minimal, the wife asked where the problem was. I was glad she asked. The woman said there wasn’t anything else but that she just likes to build up to prepare customers. Don’t do that. I honestly don’t remember exactly what she said because I was still a little shocked by her lead in, but the wife was not daunted and wrote me a check. When I got in the van to follow her to their house, the radio was on a Christian station (that I didn’t have it on when I turned the car over to the shop).
“Lord of all to thee we raise, this our hymn of grateful praise” was just finishing and for the rest of the way to the house I heard, “This is my Father’s world.” I was so encouraged until we got to the house and her husband came out in his mobility chair and bumped his head while driving up the ramp which didn’t happen when I originally took the car for them to see it. I was so confused until they said this was a loaner chair because his had broken. Sigh – so the deal is on hold until they can figure out if the mobility place can stop the order on the new chair and verify measurements for one that would fit in the van. Lord – I leave this in your hands. I won’t worry. I trust You to work this out for good for all of us. They saw the value of this less expensive, but useful, van just like we did. Your will be done.
One of the last notes I took this morning during the prayer service was, “More of You, less of us.” I’ve been hearing this more and more and trying to lean in and live it not just say it. It made me think of the car decision and how quickly it went (after taking a long time to get here). I -wondered if maybe – and this is me asking, God – have I second-guessed because You were in control and I wasn’t? You were opening the doors and making the way seem easy for me. Too easy? I wondered if I needed to research more and work harder for the blessing and be on top of all of the considerations. Do I just need to realize and accept that You cared about this decision (even though it’s not a life or death one) and enjoy that I walked under Your yoke and that’s why the burden was light? I remember someone one time questioning how much I leaned on God and said, “Do you think He cares what you have for breakfast?” I said that if that’s a decision I was having trouble with, He indeed would care and then would help me grow in my faith as I learn what would be His leading without being so worried about missteps. Am I over thinking this? You know me! Thank You, Lord. I surrender – control and wondering and second-guessing!
JA (10th) – “I am training you to be an overcomer….it is crucial to keep trusting Me….The sunshine of My Face is shining on you, beloved.”
JA (11th – “Come rest with Me, beloved. Though many tasks are calling you, urging you to put them first, I know what you need most: to be still in My Presence.” Yes. I’ve missed this time sharing with God and listening for His answers and input partly via my “small group” devotion book friends. It has taken me until after lunch to sit down with Him and even had to stop in the middle of something when I realized it could wait especially if I was going to have time to blog before I leave for Don’s gig in a few hours – he plays tuba, stand up base, and bass sax in a 1920s band on Tuesdays in Tuscaloosa at a restaurant called The Sanctuary (it’s an old church!) I have to go separate because there’s no room in the car for me!!
“As you turn your attention to Me, let your concerns roll off.” You really mean that. You really want me to let go and let You be in control. More of You. Less of me. (I don’t want to not do my part though God so please guide me.) “Meditate on scripture….it can infuse fresh life into you….When it’s time to return to your tasks….Include Me in your plans and problem solving….In everything you do, put Me first, for I am Lord of your life.”
Well shoot! All of that was from August 9th. I thought I’d turned the page so I just looked on the left page and started reading. Interestingly, when I looked back to see what I took from August 9th the other day, it wasn’t what I took this time. That’s how it is with the Bible too as we read a familiar passage and gain a new perspective.
Sometimes I do miss days – I’m not a perfectionist or I try to not be – that’s part of that control thing I guess. I’m a bit of a rule follower but there aren’t rules to spending time with God – it’s just important to do it!
JA (12th) – “I have infinite Power, so ‘impossibilities’ [like the sale of the van seems right now] are My specialty. I delight in them because they display My Glory so vividly.” I have felt that way at times when things were tough and I found myself almost enjoying the season in a way as I looked forward to how God was going to work things out. The year I was expecting my boys we were remodeling our house and, in the middle of it, I went on bedrest (in a construction zone with no kitchen) and then we found out that Alex needed major surgery and then the house caught on fire and we had to move us (and all of our belongings) out!
I can’t believe I was able to shorten the story that much. The details aren’t important, though, for the purpose of what I’m sharing. My point in bringing this up is that during all of those issues, I felt carried. God received all of the prayers (mine and those on my behalf) and the burdens were lighter. They had to be faced, but I walked through them without major stress. It was amazing and almost exciting to feel lifted like that.
I think I’ll end today with the last line from JA 12th, “The next time you face an ‘impossible’ situation, turn to Me immediately with a hopeful heart. Acknowledge your total inadequacy and cling to Me….”
(Note: When I sat down to write the blog, I saw a text from the wife and the words I caught without clicking on the message did not seem encouraging about the van. I turned my phone over and decided to wait to read the message til after I finished the blog and trust God with whatever was in it even if it meant I would have to go pick up the van because they can’t make it work for them. But, that wasn’t the case, at least not today. They did have a tough time getting going in the van today to check with the mobility people so they will have to wait til Friday to go again. Lord, be with them as the work to figure this out! Oh by the way – my friend who connected me with this couple came to pick me up after the van exchange yesterday and dropped me at the dealership to pickup my Tucson! I was handling the insurance by phone as we drove and then sat in the car with the salesgirl for a while learning how to use all of the controls on the dashboard! And I’m going to drive it to Tuscaloosa tonight….now actually!)
