Saturday, January 29, 2011

unexpected moments of grace

I don't know if you've ever moved into the state of Pennsylvania...it's a true joy, don't get me wrong...it's just, well, it took a while to get the new license and get the truck registered. 

After a few trips to PennDot, I got the license...so I'm official. 

Yesterday, I decided to get the truck in order...I had all the necessary paperwork for the new title and plates and with them in hand I had 10 days to get it inspected.  I thought to myself, 'Self, you should just do it right now.' So I did...the truck passed inspection just needing a new fuse and a few new bulbs in a third tail light, but nothing major. 

Then the service fellow comes out and says, have you had trouble with your battery? Problems with it holding a charge?  No, I said, well, there was this one time back in October when the cables needed to be adjusted, but I've been good since.  He said, 'Oh, the testing drained it and it's not taking a charge like it should.'  Okay I thought....he said, we'll leave it running for a while and your drive home should charge it.  Okay. 

I pay my bill, hop in the truck, put it in drive and it stalls. 
My heart dropped. 
I headed back into the shop and explained and they said, we'll put in a new battery right away.  They did...and I made it home safely and it started right up this morning :)

I was slightly saddened that most my afternoon was at the inspection station....waiting....but then I counted my blessings...I was truly thankful that it hadn't stalled at a stoplight somewhere on my way home and thankful that they could take care of it right away...and thankful it was just a new battery that was needed. 

It seems like my truck is something I know absolutely nothing about...when it doesn't start, I don't know what to check.  When it starts making noises, I often turn the stereo up (I know not the best car care).  And honestly, when I get into the truck I expect it to start.  In fact I come to rely on it starting.  So when something goes wrong with it, I get flummoxed...thrown into a tizzy, because it is something that is out of my control, something I don't know how to fix, and I will need to find someone I trust to repair it. 

So that's what it boils down to...that I struggle with not being the one who can handle everything all of the time...I'm learning how to let go, but it's not an easy thing. 

I breathed as deeply as I could when I walked back into that inspection station...and I just realized it was out of my hands...it was not the end of the world, I may not have had the chance to make the dinner I was hoping to make, but oh well, life goes on.  This is just an example of a time I let go rather easily, sometimes I'm much more stubborn. (Is that my German heritage creeping in?)

I guess it's a one day at a time thing...learning to give thanks for God's grace in unexpected places, like my truck stalling in the inspection lot, and continuing to recognize that our lives are in God's hands...and it's perfectly okay to let go and let God.  (Even if we have to remind ourselves of it everyday.)

+paz

1 comment:

  1. Pastor Bill has a great story about needing a tire changed, ask him about it sometime. There are several people at Church that could give you some basic pointers so that you feel a little less helpless in situations such as that.

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