Well, just when I was mentioning why I typed what I was thankful for everyday….disaster strikes!!
It’s already been a rough week. As it happens in our home, we can’t just have one “incident” it really all seems to happen at once.
First, the dryer stopped working. Paul placed the order for the replacement part but we were told it would be at least a week for it to arrive.
Second, the announcement that the mop head had broken off of our trusty old mop.
Third, the washer began to give us an error code. (We have one of those famous name front loaders. I’ll have to give you more details on this one later, but it’s been horrible!) Basically, when an error is displayed, you can’t wash anything!
Fourth, the worst of all. The van. Paul called and told me that he was putting the van in drive. He could hear the engine going but the van was going nowhere. The transmission. Is there any worse part to the automobile? UGH! This could not have come at a more horrible time. As it turns out, we need a new muffler, a new transmission, something is wrong with the gas tank, and the most serious (me in my car tech-no talk), whatever it is that the front passenger tire attaches to was about to fall off. All said and done, we’re looking at almost $4,000.00 worth of repair work that needs to be done to this van. I cried. Paul was able to talk them down some on the price of the repairs and a couple of the jobs he’s lining someone else up for, but we are still going to come out at a little over $2,000.00. I guess you know where our tax refund will be diverted.
When you add this to the ironing board that fell apart yesterday afternoon and the problems that we are seeing creeping up with my little Jessica (this is by far the most stressing!), it’s a lot!
I was so depressed. I kept wondering why the Lord would allow this to happen in the midst of all the good things Paul and I are trying to do. We really want to see our ministries flourish. So, I pray and I thank the Lord that no one was hurt with the van being in such bad shape and I ask why this would happen. I immediately heard “it’s just a distraction”.
My Prayer Requests:
Today, I’m asking for prayer for my family.
First, we need reliable, safe transportation.
Second, we need the money that it will take to get this car fixed quickly (in other words, please pray that the government hurries with our refund. Until then, we are left trying to share my Mom’s car. She lives across town (an hour away) and I know that this is hard on her.
Third, we need to keep our eye on the prize. Please pray that we will not be distracted but will continue down the path that we are supposed to travel.
Today, I’m Thankful For:
My Mom. She’s playing taxi driver right now. She helps us whenever we need anything, with anything she can. I’m eternally grateful for her.
The safety of my family. We knew that the van was running a little rough. I’m so thankful that no one was hurt in it.
My friend Angie. I talked to her yesterday. I was very open about what was happening and she was so sweet to offer to pray for us and even offered to do our laundry! (Oh, if she only knew what she was offering!!)
I’m thankful that today I have a working washer and hopefully, I’ll have a working dryer before the day is out!
Today, I’m especially thankful for being thankful. I’m so grateful to God that through all that we have experienced over the last few years, my heart has not been hardened and I’m still thankful.
What I’m Learning:
That God is always there. Sometimes I feel like He isn’t, but there is a difference in the way that you feel and what you know. You can’t always trust your feelings.
That sharing your burdens with others is very healing. I can’t tell you how much strength I had after just speaking with Angie yesterday. We’re supposed to be able to come to each other, as believers and share these things.
Our Scripture Meditation For Today:
How appropriate…this one is for me!!
1 Peter 5:7-11
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.”
(NIV)
