When Yesterday Blessings Become Todays Trials

  3 years ago, I hit a deer. We had this very old and craptastic van that I was very happy to get rid of. We literally had issues with said van the entire time we owned it. The whole dash would go out at times. Which meant that not only did I not know how fast I was going but I couldn't see how much fuel I had. How many miles I had gone since getting fuel. I just had to err on the side of caution and get gas often. 

  This was just one of the MANY things wrong with it. So when the deer popped in front of me and I smashed into it I wasn't sad in the least. 

   We searched for a van for months. Finally in March we found one. I thought this was it! God has answered our prayers and this was wonderful. It was nice, had low miles. From an older couple that treated it well. Like new. This was the blessing I was praying for. 

   HA! Right. 2 months later when the weather was much warmer, I was on my way to Iowa City. When I noticed it was shifting very hard. I mean VERY hard. At one point I thought I dropped the transmission.       So I made a call to the transmission specialists. I stopped in and within 15 minutes. Found out that we maybe had 3-5 years till we would need a rebuilt or new transmission. 

  Seriously?!?! Just that fast my shiny new blessing became my trial. I don't want to be the ungrateful one. I don't was to be the entitled one. I am however human. I want to stomp my feet, and scream a little. Why can't I have nice things? Why can't I be the one to get a vehicle that has low miles and runs forever without much issue? Why can't I be the one that catches a break?

   Last year at the end of spring the van wasn't getting very warm. I didn't pay that much attention. Then winter rolled around this year. The heat wasn't working. So we took it to the shop. It was "fixed". $600 later. I am driving home from said shop. The heater still isn't heating. I call the mechanic instantly. He says, bring it back. Self pity creeps in. "Here we go again". 

  Then the voice of reason. Sounds a little bit like my moms southern cousin, Kaye, "GET OVER IT!" It's life! You don't take stalk in the things of this world. 

   The bible says give thanks in everything! We have a vehicle. Or at least family that is willing to loan us vehicles till we get ours dealt with. 

   Here is the reality. Yesterdays blessing was a shiny red van, and an old Buick. Todays trial is my van is at the shop and the old Buick is not just old but also tired and pretty dented. Oh did I mention that John hit a deer with it? 4 days ago. Sigh.....I will give thanks in EVERYTHING! My heart will choose to be thankful.