Not A Convertible

Be thankful in all things. Even when little things don't work out just the way we want them to we need to be thankful. Oh, I believe it is okay to be a bit disappointed but we should also be grateful.

My mini van that all my kiddos learned to drive on just died. It was totaled a couple years ago from hail damage and we bought it back from the insurance company for $250. There are love bumps on all sides from my 4 used-to-be teenagers and the speedometer is registering close to 210,000 miles. Needless to say, we have driven what seems like a lifetime in this old friend. But last week the transmission decided it didn't want to shift anymore so I needed to face reality and look for another car.

My dream was to get a pearl white Toyota Solara convertible with a camel top and interior. The last cars we have purchased have all had the same criteria as this one. Not more than 50,000 miles for not more than $15,000. I was so excited to begin my search even though I needed my dream car immediately.

Then limping home from the grocery store in my van that didn't go past 2nd gear, I saw a silver Honda Civic in our local 'Lemon Lot'. I wanted to just drive past put I was pushed to at least take a look. It was not what I wanted! The car is now mine. It was too good to pass up. This silver car is a 2002 and only has 23,000 miles on it. It was truly driven by a little old lady who only took it to the grocery store.

I went home and looked up the Blue Book and it was offered at $3000. under list price. The Civic gets wonderful mileage and it is in perfect condition except for the bumpers being a bit scuffed from its previous owner bumping into the wooden fences on their property. So now I am able to drive and not worry about the high mileage or the gas consumption. What a blessing! Except it is not the car I have dreamed of for the past 10 years.

A few weeks ago I posted a quote, "It's not what you gather but what you scatter that matters." Guess it is time to live what I say. This is a fun little car and so I am trying so hard to be grateful and not whine about my good fortune. Pray for me!

In Him,
Joyful