For the last few months we had been searching for a replacement for our 2001 Chevy Express 15-passenger van. Since we calculated that we will need a 15-passenger for several more years, we needed to upgrade sooner rather than later. Well, a few weeks ago, we found the perfect new van! It's a 2010 Express with a bigger engine, FlexFuel, better mirrors, and other exciting additions. We got several thousand dollars for our old van as a trade in. It's perfect for our family!
Then, yesterday, the dealer contacted us to get some paperwork straightened out, and mentioned that our old van had been sold - to a family with 12 children who have been looking everywhere for a good 15-passenger van! The father drove almost 6 hours to get it, and was very happy with it.
2 answers to prayer for 2 families! How cool is that? :-)
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Thursday, September 8, 2011
losing things...
So the title doesn't really make sense, but I was never a good title-maker...
I don't lose things that frequently... ok, maybe that's a little too relative, but I don't lose things as often as the other females in my family :P .
However, if I do lose something... here comes "terrific" (as in terrifying) frenzy.
I look EVERYWHERE for that one object... notebook, nail clipper, guitar pick, special eraser, ... occasionally my cellphone or permit, etc., whatever. It's awful. I look in every place possible... even the places impossible. At least, that's what it feels like. And it often happens when I most need it (of course, that's because you only find out when you need it).
And I've noticed, my problem with losing the object wasn't as big a deal as getting upset about HOW it got lost. I would always try to figure out who was the culprit of misplacing my necessity, why did they misplace it, and of course, where did they misplace it. Sometimes, I made the mistake and sometimes others and sometimes no reason could be found for its disappearance or misplacement. Regardless, I got upset.
Honestly and shamefully, I confess I showed my frustration in an un-Christ-like manner. In fact, it has happened soo many times, I got fed up with myself. It's obnoxious to both me and those around me. I wondered how in the world I was going to stop sinning in this area. Kind of hard when I can't force myself not to lose things.
*ding ding* Why not just ask God to help me find my things? He never said we couldn't do that! It would save both me, the innocent bystanders, AND God, the aggravating grief.
And what do you know? When I started asking God to help me, HE ANSWERED. That's not to say, I sat back and waited for my lost things to come floating into my hands, "Ooo, thanks God, that was easy." No, I still did my part, but calmly asked Him before I started searching, "God, please Please PLEASE, help me find ----. I need it pretty soon but I have no idea where it is. I'm sorry if I misplaced it and I'm sorry I wasn't more careful, but please help me!" And I knew I would find it.
Sometimes, within 5 minutes I will find that "thing". It's amazing, I didn't even have to ask every single person in the house if they had seen it. Nope, God knew where it was and helped me find it. It saves time and effort. Other times, I realize in a couple minutes, "Ok, this isn't working, but I don't have to worry. I'll find it later." And on my next attempt, I will find it in <30 seconds, or even maybe "chance" upon finding it. It's so amazing, it's weird.
It's mind-blowing to think, "Wow - God just stooped down to help me find my guitar pick... the little plastic chip no bigger than a memory card... why in the world did You do that, God?" Why? Because He is faithful to His promises. He will never back down on His Word:
~CJ
I don't lose things that frequently... ok, maybe that's a little too relative, but I don't lose things as often as the other females in my family :P .
However, if I do lose something... here comes "terrific" (as in terrifying) frenzy.
I look EVERYWHERE for that one object... notebook, nail clipper, guitar pick, special eraser, ... occasionally my cellphone or permit, etc., whatever. It's awful. I look in every place possible... even the places impossible. At least, that's what it feels like. And it often happens when I most need it (of course, that's because you only find out when you need it).
And I've noticed, my problem with losing the object wasn't as big a deal as getting upset about HOW it got lost. I would always try to figure out who was the culprit of misplacing my necessity, why did they misplace it, and of course, where did they misplace it. Sometimes, I made the mistake and sometimes others and sometimes no reason could be found for its disappearance or misplacement. Regardless, I got upset.
Honestly and shamefully, I confess I showed my frustration in an un-Christ-like manner. In fact, it has happened soo many times, I got fed up with myself. It's obnoxious to both me and those around me. I wondered how in the world I was going to stop sinning in this area. Kind of hard when I can't force myself not to lose things.
*ding ding* Why not just ask God to help me find my things? He never said we couldn't do that! It would save both me, the innocent bystanders, AND God, the aggravating grief.
And what do you know? When I started asking God to help me, HE ANSWERED. That's not to say, I sat back and waited for my lost things to come floating into my hands, "Ooo, thanks God, that was easy." No, I still did my part, but calmly asked Him before I started searching, "God, please Please PLEASE, help me find ----. I need it pretty soon but I have no idea where it is. I'm sorry if I misplaced it and I'm sorry I wasn't more careful, but please help me!" And I knew I would find it.
Sometimes, within 5 minutes I will find that "thing". It's amazing, I didn't even have to ask every single person in the house if they had seen it. Nope, God knew where it was and helped me find it. It saves time and effort. Other times, I realize in a couple minutes, "Ok, this isn't working, but I don't have to worry. I'll find it later." And on my next attempt, I will find it in <30 seconds, or even maybe "chance" upon finding it. It's so amazing, it's weird.
It's mind-blowing to think, "Wow - God just stooped down to help me find my guitar pick... the little plastic chip no bigger than a memory card... why in the world did You do that, God?" Why? Because He is faithful to His promises. He will never back down on His Word:
Mark 11:24 (ESV)Soli Deo Gloria,
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
~CJ
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