When I was younger I had more money than brains. Or maybe I just had no brains? I suppose an argument could be made either way. In my frivilous and carefree days of living at home I bought cars. A different one every 6 months, or so it seemed!
In about a 3 year span I owned a 1985 Pontiac Fiero (still my favorite), a 1989 Pontiac Formula Firebird (which I miss terribly), a 1999 Pontiac Grand Am (which I was glad to part with), a 2000 Monte Carlo SS (which was a dream car), a 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix GT (which could corner like no other car I’ve driven), another 2000 Monte Carlo SS (which never lived up the standards set by the first one) and finally, a 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac.
Clearly, I had issues. That, however, is another blog for another day. When I got my truck, I seemed to put my vehicular indecisiveness behind me. I had one to keep. I got my truck in 2003 or 2004 I think. I forget exactly. I’ve been driving it ever since.
My truck has been a faithful companion. Loyal to a fault. In fact, my relationship with my truck outlasted my marriage. I suppose that shouldn’t be funny. But, it kind of is just a little. I’ve had 2 years to get over the brokenness of a divorce I never desired. I think it’s OK for me to see a lighter side of it now. My truck has also nearly lasted longer than my last 4 jobs! It’s seen me through 2 radio stations, 1 radio show, 1 TV show, and a stint in patient transfer. It’s been there through it all.
In all those years, across all those miles, my truck has run like a dream. It’s never left me stranded. It’s never stuck me with a huge repair bill. It’s been a perfect truck. A perfect friend. When I think back on it now, I have a little guilt. Like maybe I should have waxed it more or something?
Yesterday on my way to work, my brakes fell off. All of them. Front and rear. Drivers side and passenger side. They fell off. If I’m being perfectly honest, I am mostly ignorant in the ways of all things mechanical. I confess, I had no idea such a feat was even possible. That said, if you’re looking for the improbable, unthinkable, unheard of to happen, take my mug shot and slap me on the poster. You’ve got yourself a spokesman!
Thankfully, though I was not thinking this at the time, it happened less than half a block from Canadian Tire. I managed to limp my truck down the street and find a parking spot right in front of the service centre. Then I started preparing for the worst. I knew my brakes were bad. There are a lot of things on my truck that are bad. That’s why I’m looking for a new truck, and have been for 2 months. I was just hoping the new one would come before the old one packed it in.
I dropped off my keys and walked to the radio station which is, thank the Lord, not far away. The trek across town gave me some time to decompress and prepare myself for the phone call with the mechanics assessment. I have already spoke with God about this, I needed forgiveness for some of the thoughts in my head during that walk! They were less than stellar thoughts.
When the mechanic called me and told me the cost, I think I might have almost wept a little. Keep in mind, this is taking place while I’m live on the air. I actually had to put the mechanic on hold at one point during the conversation so I could do a break. When you’re doing a live radio show and you’re driving people home on a sunny Friday afternoon, it’s not a great time to be told your truck repair bill is going to hit $700!
I, of course, talked about my adventures on my show. That’s what I do. I talk about life, about my life. People seem to enjoy it. I honestly didn’t think my existence was overly thrilling, but I guess it makes me a real. People can relate to real. I also shared some of my adventures on Twitter.
I won’t lie to you and tell you I was entirely positive about the experience. In fact, despite my best efforts, I was mostly having a bit of a pity party thinking about the $700 repair bill. Leave it to my listeners, and my tweeps, to help me check myself though! What a blessing they are. I’m grateful for the way God can tap you on the shoulder on bring about a change of perspective through the most unexpected ways.
The overwhelming response to my cries of brakes falling off and $700 repair bills was, “I’m glad you’re OK” or “Thank God it didn’t happen on the 403″ (which I drive to work) or “Thankfully nobody was hurt.”
I was convicted big time as I read those responses, and took some listener calls. I’m normally a pretty upbeat kind of guy, but I was definitely looking out the wrong coloured glasses on this one. While I was questioning God, in my mind, about why this had to happen when He knows I’m trying to get rid of the truck, or where am I supposed to get $700 from, I needed a reality check. I got it. I’m grateful for it.
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. James 1:2-4 NLT
That passage from James is a favorite of mine. It’s a reminder that nobody said life is going to be easy. We are going to have bad days, and bad things are going to happen. I don’t think this passage is about rejoicing over $700 repair bills as much as it’s about finding something in the midst of difficult circumstances to rejoice in!
If my brakes had fallen off 10 minutes earlier, I would have been going 100km/h down the 403 westbound heading to Brantford. Instead, my brakes fell off in the parking lot of the Petro Canada Gas Station. I am blessed! So blessed. In that, I find I can find joy, even though my brakes did fall off.
Add A Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.