A New Car, and a Lesson learned!

I am a control freak. There is no use mincing words--that is the truth. I have a VERY difficult time with situations that I am not in control over. Relinquishing my "control" to God is one of the things that I struggle with daily. (You need to know this in order to understand the rest of this story!)

We needed a new(er) car. I bought the escort from my parents in 1999, after I graduated high school for $2,500. We hit a deer in our Escort wagon about 5 years ago. The airbags deployed, the windshield was cracked (that is an understatement!) and there were some major dents! However, it was running great and so we kept it and Jamie drove it to and from work. (Without a complaint, I might add!) Well, it has not been running well as of late and we aren't going to put money into a 15 year old car that is essentially totalled. Plus, trips are getting harder with two kids and all the stuff they require. We needed something with a little more cargo space!

So, we started looking on Craig's List and didn't find much. On Thursday, we found quite a few listings and made a few phone calls. I called on about 4 listings, all were salvage titles, which we were not interested in. Jamie had emailed on a listing and after we got some additional information, it seemed like this car was a definite possibility. But, we were determined to pay cash and not have a car payment. We weren't sure that the seller would accept what we could offer. Well, Jamie set up a time to go look at the car. And I was a little hesitant, because it was after bed-time for Nicholas, but thought it might work. Nope--Nicholas was exhausted and I told Jamie that I would stay with the boys and he could go. He went--and made an offer (contingent on the inspection). And I was okay with it. We had to wait, but the seller called the next day and accepted our offer--no counter offer. The price they accepted, was $900 less than the asking price, and was the amount that I was okay with. (Any more would have made me nervous!) Then, when our mechanic had a look at the car, I couldn't go again. Nicholas hadn't napped well all day and desperately needed a good long nap. I couldn't in good conscience drag him all over town. So, I stayed home again. The inspection was fine, and so Jamie agreed to buy the car.

But, I have yet to lay eyes on the car! And normally, that would freak me out! But, through the whole thing, I felt like God was asking me to give up my control on the situation and trust Jamie to make the decision. Not a strong point for me. However, I was able to do it and God gave me a peace about the entire situation. I was not anxious or nervous and I didn't have trouble trusting Jamie's judgment. I felt that God was calling me to do this; and He made it very easy for me to obey. Looking back, I can see God's hand in every step of this situation. None of the cars I called about were viable, the timing didn't work for me to see the car, the seller accepted the exact price that I was comfortable with without countering and the mechanic's inspection was good.

We picked up the car today. I didn't get to see it until we showed up with a check in hand! I really do like it! It drives nicely and I am excited that God has helped provide this car for us! And, not only did we get a car, but I learned to relinquish my control and follow God's leading. Which is probably more important than a car in the long run.