I'm taking my car in for an oil change and whatever else they decide I simply need to get completed, this morning. At least every ten days for the past two months I've gotten a text or a phone call from the dealership wanting to see if I would consider trading in my 2017 Ford Escape. Oh they could make me a swinging deal and lower my payments on a new car! Uh yeah. I tell them that no, they can't lower my payments because I don't have any. I paid off my car a long time ago. I like not having a car payment.
But, last night I got another text about trading my car in, and I got to thinking about it. My car is now 7 years old. Not a big deal. It's in perfect condition; I've taken good care of it. I have less than $46K miles on it. I don't need a newer car. Then I got to thinking, which is dangerous for me. There have been a couple noises lately that didn't sound quite right. I ignored it for it's probably really nothing but the pitch sound. Doesn't affect the car. But a 7 year old car, even at 46K.. could it be the start of something expensive. It did have one recall for a brush setting or something about 6 months ago. I don't know. I finally text'd the guy back. He said that he saw I was bringing my car in this morning for an oil change, and he'd like to look it over and make me an offer. I finally said ok. Told him I really wasn't interested in trading it in, but I will hear what he has to say, and then I will call my son-in-law to deal with it. And I'll pray about it and see what God thinks I should do. I've already prayed this morning .... and I wonder if something is going to go wrong with it that will be expensive and God keeps giving me these chances to trade it in, and in my stubbornness I keep refusing. Oh well. It doesn't hurt to listen and hear what the salesman has to say. But I will not go with a white car. I want either another blue one, or a black or red one. I looked online at their inventory and they had a green one, but I don't think that is for me. Not really my color. LOL I look better in red, black, or blue. haha
I figure if they offer me a decent price for my car, and I get another car that the trade-in takes the price way down.... MAYBE I will do it. I know I have the credit to get a loan, so am not worried about that. But I want to be able to pay it off in six months - one year. I don't want a car payment hanging on my shoulders. I've avoided a car payment since 2012 - don't want another. Bottom line, I want to have a car that will be my 'last' car. This one was.... I didn't expect to still be working, but I am. See no end of the tunnel for that right now. And, I don't have to drive to the office any more, so this could be my last car until the 'end of time'. The car payment will be the breaker. Stay tuned. I don't have a lot of time this morning for this guy as I need to get home and back to work. He will have my car for awhile so we can talk when I go back this afternoon.
I may need to take off early today to get my car for I can't spend a lot of time there - I have a band concert for a grandson I plan to attend. Luckily it doesn't start until 7PM so I will have time to take care of this if I need to - or I can always put the car stuff off. Or I may just walk away and say 'no thanks'. Praying for wisdom this morning to make the right choice.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (NKJV): And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.
As I think about this verse I am reminded of a time when we went to a Seder dinner at friend's house. It really made an impression on me. I've been to Seder dinners before - you know, the meal the Israelites had for Passover - but this one was different. We were at my friend's home, there were about 30 of us, I think. He had his child ask a question about why did they still celebrate the Passover, and have the Seder dinner. And he responded with the above scripture. That as God commanded, we are to share what God has said to our children. We should talk about Him when we walk with our child doing different daily things. We should share about Jesus when we sit at the table. We should instill the Word of God in to each of our children, that they will learn of Him, and will choose to obey and follow Him. Like I said, the entire Seder dinner made a huge impression on me. I always wanted to do a Seder dinner, but I don't think I'm up to it this year - it is coming too quickly. But, maybe next year. I have the books and instructions on how to do it. I wish I knew where one was happening for I'd love to go. I did help with one a long time ago. And I have the recipe for Haroset - which is an apple/honey/walnut dish that they used as a dessert. It really is good and I try to remember to make it for our Easter dinners. Forgot last year, hopefully will remember this year.
I got sidetracked (imagine that) what God's Word says, we are to share with our children so that they will grow up knowing Him. It involves more than just taking them to church. It is living God's Word in our homes and in our daily lives. I failed in many areas when my children were growing up. I got them in church, but home life wasn't what it should be. I have learned so much over the years about walking with Jesus. I wish I had known it then. That is why it is so important to learn it while one is young, so that your walk never fails. I didn't grow up in a Christian home so I didn't know what one looked like. Unfortunately, my children didn't have one either, and I accept the blame for that. I wish I could turn back time, but cannot. I can only pray that each one will find their way to Him and follow Him.
Which reminds me. I had an interesting dream this morning. It also was of something in the past. But it was good, and I didn't want to wake up from the dream. Perhaps it comes from a deep longing within me of wishing things had been different. I don't know. And I think I ought to keep some things to myself. But let's just say, it did my heart good to dream.
And - with that, I'm going to close this off and spend more time reading my Bible and in prayer.
Blessings!
