Our current car was recently having what we call “Christmas tree syndrome.” Although it was purring like a kitten, all the service lights on the dashboard were illuminated: check engine, all-wheel drive, maintenance required, airbag, and tire pressure monitor system. The car was a rolling Christmas tree of lights, informing me of problems it thought it had.
I talked to our mechanic regarding the illuminated lights.
“How would the car run if these systems were not working?”
“If the functions reported by the lights were not working, your car would run very rough. It would not work right,” he replied.
The problem was that the car was working right—smooth running, not overheating, everything functioning properly. It just had “Christmas tree syndrome.”
Although God seemed to be blessing our 2005 Honda Pilot in the way it drove (Christmas tree syndrome notwithstanding), my wife was uneasy with the myriad of lit dashboard lights. So we lifted the vehicle and our situation before God in prayer.
“Dear God, please help us find a vehicle that’s mechanically sound—no ‘Christmas light syndrome’—and affordable. Amen.”
The hunt began. We looked at several types of cars, finally honing in on a Ford Edge since it was built on the same platform as a Ford Fusion that we had owned.
We continued to pray, “God, please give us a car close to home.” This was somewhat selfish, as the last vehicle we purchased had been located three and a half hours away. We continued to look for over a month, only finding vehicles a long distance from home. We were getting discouraged, but we continued to pray.
One day, after about six weeks of earnest seeking, our prayers were answered. Our neighbors, three doors down, put their vehicle up for sale. It was the make and model we were looking for, except it was a 2019 model (14 years newer than our Pilot). The vehicle was also $8,000-$10,000 cheaper than what we were finding online, was mechanically sound and was meticulously cared for. We recognized God’s blessings.
God wants each of us to live abundant lives. He cares about the details. He asks that we bring our issues to Him. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11).
As God cared about the details surrounding my vehicle, He also cares for you and your future, including your estate plans. As you seek Him in earnest prayer, ask, “How would You like me to steward Your blessings?” God will place His wishes on your heart.
Reaching the unreached through AFM is a safe and lasting way to steward God’s resources. Please prayerfully consider including AFM in your estate planning. Contact James Petty at (269) 473-5001 or at jpetty@afmonline.org.
