God Notions

Psalm 77

Your way was through the sea, 

your path through the great waters; 

yet your footprints were unseen.

My car blew a piston as my sister, and I drove through the mountains. I was completely unaware of any trouble until I stopped in traffic on the interstate. My little car, “Betsy,” shook like she wanted to stall, but once traffic opened, we were on our way again. After two hours of mountain driving, my sister and I arrived home. When I later started Betsy to go to the store, I thought it best to stop by my mechanic, Jason.

Jason gave me the bad news gently, my four-cylinder, reliable car, with 261,000 miles, had become a three-cylinder. The engine was unsalvageable. I was heartbroken but decided to sell Jason my vehicle.

Now being car-less, I thought, no problem, I’ll rent a car while I shop for a: “new to me” vehicle. There was not one rental car available, not one! I had to rent a 20-foot U-Haul moving truck to drive. After backing into a stone wall, going over some curbs, a sidewalk, and getting hung up on a sign at the gas station, I became pretty masterful at driving my new ride. After stopping at the grocery store, I settled in to shop online for a used car. I found one on the Next-Door app. I asked my mechanic about it, and he agreed it was a great car but cautioned me that repairs could be costly. I set a time with the seller to look at her car and continued to shop.

I found several good options at dealerships. I began to feel the first car wasn’t the right choice because of what Jason had said, my sister agreed. I didn’t want to buy a used car and have costly repairs.

But that little nudging in my heart kept telling me to go look at this first car, to the point my sister asked me, “Why won’t you let that car go?” I didn’t know why, but I felt like I should at least look at it.

That is where God remained silent. Could you help me? What should I do?!? Lord, I know You are in the details. Where are You? Silence. Silence. Silence.

The time passed to look at the car; I told my sister I was leaving to look at it. The nudging deep in my heart would not stop. What would it hurt? I’m not test driving it. I’m not buying it. I called the seller, and they were glad to meet me still. I drove my 20-foot U-Haul to the mall; as I waited, I thought it was a waste of my time and theirs, but that nudging was gone. Thank goodness, let’s get this over.

I am sure you know how my story ends. The car was perfect. Immaculate, so well maintained, all the maintenance records kept with the manual. With 153,000 miles, they already had the timing belt changed! I bought the car and named her Sylvia.

I gave thanks to God. How can I be so dull? He was always there. He was quietly protecting as we unknowingly drove home through the mountains in a handicapped car. Quietly nudged me toward His perfect gift of a vehicle.

God wasn’t necessarily silent; He was quiet. He was gentle. He was patient. He allowed me to choose. I didn’t realize I was obedient to His nudging until afterward.

So, maybe I wasn’t faced with crossing through the Red Sea and trusting the walls of water wouldn’t come crashing down on me. I imagine the quiet nudging of the heart was the same.

It is not a leap of faith as much as it is a small step toward the One who quietly leads me. Every time. Every time, He never fails me.

I have never regretted following God’s promptings. I have regretted plenty of times when I have not followed Him.

Father, You are beyond my comprehension, and yet You reveal Yourself in ways I can comprehend.

Thank you, Lord, for being the God of second chances.

Thank you, LORD, for making my path firm.

Help me to know You more.

Help me to follow You more closely.