Laurie was giving the lesson in Sunday
school. She had passed out paper and
pens and asked us each to write five things that we wish we had. I don’t remember them all – but the top of my
list was I wish that I could be a better mother to Jenna. The forth thing on my list was
transportation. It was the only material thing
that was listed.
Laurie then asked the class if there
were any willing to share maybe just a few items on our list. Wade rattled off his five good
non-materialistic things. I read only
the top one on my list. Laurie looked a
little embarrassed as she confessed that the first things that came to her mind
were all material.
She then went on with the lesson and
how each of us need to strive to make accomplishments, and when we turn to the
Lord we need to have a plan in place about how to achieve our goals, or dreams,
or wishes . . . She pointed out how
wrong it is to pray with, “I want a car.” “Please bless me with a new computer”
or what have you.
When the time came to share ideas about what we learned, I couldn’t help
feeling how blessed I’ve been about wish number four. That sounds odd, I know. But it was the one thing on my list that I
had prayed about more than anything else on the list – oh, not for a new car –
although that would be awesome. My pleas
were more like, “Please allow me to take Jenna to school without breaking
down.” “Please allow me to make it to mom’s without any harm or accident”
“Please let me get to a gas station before I run out completely”
Last year when we got the car
inspected, I figured it would be our last.
But December rolled around again and the car is still with us. But it is so flawed. Falling apart both inside and out. By the time we’re through with it, I doubt
we’d be able to sell it just for parts.
But I won’t drive the truck.
Probably I shouldn’t be driving at all.
So it’s not just the care of vehicle I pray about, but also the driver –
who’s a neurotic mess without the
transportation issue.
Before Jenna’s second grade school
year had ended, we were down to only one vehicle. We’d have to wake Jenna up and get in the
car. Roland would drive to work. I would return home. Jenna would get dressed. I would pick up her friend and drive the two
of them to school.
After school let out, we would drive
to Roland’s work. Jenna would do her
homework (if we were lucky) and Roland would drive us home. That lasted two and a half months.
In the summer I would just have Roland
take the car for the most part. Utah was under construction (still is in some
places) and it was so outrageously hot outside, I didn’t really want to drive
anyway.
On Wednesdays Jenna and I would take
the bus to the high school where she was taking a class in theatre. Occasionally
I would take the car. But then we would
have to pick up Roland and the construction made for a much longer drive – so
my borrowing the car during the summer was less than once a week. (Jenna and I
also took the train to my mom’s house and walked or caught a ride with Kayla)
So I feel blessed that we have
transportation (other than our feet) and that we have gotten away with driving
what seems like a relic (it’s actually not that old – it just looks and feels
that way) and I continue to pray that “we won’t get pulled over on expired
plates” or “please let us arrive safely and return without any harm or
accident”
It feels good, too, to have Jenna
suggest saying prayers and watch her grow in faith and build her own prayerful
memories.
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