And so it starts... or rather it doesn't...

Sigh.  It seems like it is 'always something' at times.  I'm sure you feel that way too.  You no sooner get one thing taken care of when another thing happens.  Sickness. Tragedy. Car troubles.  Oh - did I mention car troubles?  Let me tell you about mine!

It wasn't long ago that I had to have a leak on the transmission fixed as well as the serpentine belt.  I think I mentioned that in an earlier blog.  Yesterday morning when I started the van up there was a second hesitation before it started.  Enough to notice.  I was hoping my finger had slipped in turning the key - anything.  Last night as I prepared to leave work, there was about a three second hesitation.  I knew then there was something wrong and I had a good idea of what it was.  No clicking; just silence.

Thankfully, as I pondered the situation on the way home, I decided to call hubby to let me park in front of him (we have a one lane driveway) 'just in case'.  That way if I had car issues we could still use his car.  Well, that is exactly what happened this morning.  I get the van all packed up and ready to leave - when, click-click-click-click!!  Yep - the starter wouldn't turn over.  I asked hubby to drive me to work.  I have a coworker who lives near me so am going to ask her to take me home, if she is here today. I didn't think to call her this morning.  Hubby fussed some about his inconvenience (he was going to go to the gym) but he did bring me.

But I'm thankful today.  Why?  Several reasons.

1.  I got the 'warning' twice yesterday something was about to go out.
2.  The van started both times yesterday without problems, getting me to and from work safely.
3.  I parked in front of hubby so that we could use his car for transportation this morning.
4.  We are only a mile from where we get our car repairs done so AAA can tow it there at no cost.
5.  I trust the place we take the vehicles to.
6.  It didn't start this morning rather than not starting here at work - 21 miles from home.
7.  Minor inconvenience to get to work this morning and find a ride home, or call hubby to come get me.
8.  I'm still at work early enough to write on this blog.
9.  I'm grateful there is room on my credit card so that I can get the starter replaced.
10.It's POTLUCK FRIDAY here at work and I brought brownies (although I won't eat any).

I could probably come up with a few more things to be thankful for, but I am truly grateful the starter on the van stopped working at home and not here at work.  That would be extremely stressful. 

Hubby was a little discouraged this morning.  After I had mentioned to him about the hesitation in starting yesterday, he shared this morning that he had gotten up early and had gone outside and prayed over my van, that it would start this morning and tonight.  And it didn't.  But I still feel what has happened is better.  If it had worked today, we would not have gotten it into the shop, because it would still be working.  With it happening this morning - Friday - if they can't get to it today they have time tomorrow cause I don't need the vehicle and I don't have to find a ride to work.  It's the best thing.  Other than having to pay for it.

So that is how my morning has started.  I have a lot of work to do today from being in meetings all week.  But, I do have a job that will pay for the repairs on my van, and put food on the table, and pay the bills.  I am thankful. 

Luke 18:1 'Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.'

Just because we pray and we don't get the answers we want doesn't mean we should stop praying.  I have been praying some requests for years - and have not seen results - or at least the results I want or expect.  But God is working and I need to do my part and just keep praying that He will answer.  And I am confident that He will, but it will be in His timing, not mine.

Just like my van.  God could have answered prayers and started it this morning.  But He did the best thing - not starting it so that we'd get it fixed.  I wasn't stranded.  I was home.

Perhaps you prayed a prayer and it didn't get answered.  At least not the way you wanted it to.  Did you give up on God?  Did you quit praying?  That didn't help your request get answered either, did it?  Like the woman who kept going to the judge and pestering him to help her until he gave in, we need to keep bringing our requests to God with the belief He will answer, but it will be in His timing and His way.

We may pray for financial relief (and He knows we all need it), but we have to do our part to get it.  We may pray for healing, but He may want us to go to the doctor and use the doctor to heal us.  And then again, His healing may be delayed because we are to touch others' lives with how we deal with the sickness.  He may leave relationships in chaos, in spite of prayer, because there must be a give and take, forgiveness and grace.  Life is sometimes hard, but it is mostly because we make it that way on ourselves.

Looking back on my life there are many things I would have changed, could I have seen into the future.  I'm sure you feel the same way.  You, as would I, would make many different choices in this journey called life if we had a 'do-over'.  Some we would make the same choices.  But they have been our choices in most cases, and we need to face them, deal with them, make the best of them - always seeking God's favor and will in correcting our wrong choices and setting us on the right path.

Wow - all this deep thinking and I was just telling you about the starter in my van not working properly this morning!  I hope it has given you 'food for thought'.

What are you thankful for today?  Keep praying and don't give up.

Blessings!