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In 1998, I began a ministry to widows in our local church. I started up David’s Home Maintenance, so that I could bless widows by doing little maintenance jobs for them. I would arrive at their house, purchase the supplies at the local hardware store, complete the work and only charge them for the materials that I had purchased, not the labor costs. God began to bless this ministry and soon brought in “real paying” customers as well. I was overwhelmed with the amount of phone calls and messages I received from my phone at home. I soon began to get excited about my job, and slowly began to take my eyes off the One who was bringing in the business. The Lord became second priority, instead of first or #1.
It was around this time that I knew I needed a vehicle. You see, I had been borrowing my dads’ car most days, which was a two-door 1992 Ford Probe. I had been dropping him off on a regular basis and then using his car until I had to return to his office at the end of the day to pick him up and take him home. So, I began my search for a new form of transportation. I tell you the absolute truth; I would look at every truck, car, R.V. or motorcycle that had a “For Sale” posted. I had figured out how much money I had in the bank that was saved up. I would inquire about any vehicle that had any movement towards the people selling it. I began to stop at parking lots, side streets, and even look in the paper for the “perfect” truck, or whatever for me. I did not realize this at the time, but my focus was on me (pride), instead of on the Lord!!
I tried to plan out what would be best for my needs. A Ford Explorer was at the top for a long while, and then a mini van (because it would be cheaper than an Explorer, then I thought a four door truck with an optional cover . . . .on and on I went thinking these things as I was continuing my “ministry” that I believed the Lord had called me to.
Well after a few months of this persisting, my brothers and I were flown to Florida then Texas and then home, so we could help out with some Republican Conventions. While at one of our concerts at this little church in Texas, I started sharing with a young man afterwards on how it is so important to completely trust in the Lord for everything regarding a life partner. He was in a relationship and seemed to search me out of all four of us to talk to him about these matters. I began to share with him that he needed to completely trust in the Lord for his life and the future of his life including a life partner. I was “nailing” him to the ground with truth that I had come across in God’s word, and from other men that I have met that totally trust in the Lord.
All of a sudden I realized that my encouragement was not only for him, but also for me. The same things I was telling him totally applied to the “things” I was telling him about. I had even included in my “wonderful” speech to him, “You don’t need to check each one out, God has one just for you!” I said with confidence just earlier in our conversation. I was ashamed of myself, here I was willing and ready to tell others how to wait on the Lord for a wife, but not practicing what I was “preaching” in the day-to-day activities . . .like a car. I was completely under conviction.
The following night, in California, I laid down on my bed and wept before the Lord. I confessed to Him that I was not grateful with the car He had provided for me to use. I told the Lord . . . “Lord . . . .if you want me to continue this ministry, I would be honored to help you out, and whatever you want me to drive I will be happy and content with your will – because I know it will be perfect for me. Lord, if you want me to ride in this two-door car . . .I will be content and happy, If you want me to ride the bus each day to work, than . . .. O.K., if you want me to walk to customers houses, Lord I will be content with your utmost perfect will for me.” I was balling like a little baby when I was finished with my confession and rededication of trust in and to the Lord!
Two days later my Aunt, who lived two hours away, called our home up and explained to Brian that her car was just hit by an unlicensed and un-insured driver when her vehicle was parked. She told Brian that she had just gone out and purchased a new vehicle for her, but was seeing if Brian needed a vehicle since “David already had one”. She had observed this when she had visited our family over the recent holidays. Brian then said “Well, Aunt Diana, David has been praying for a car and actually does need one for his ministry, could you give it to him?” “Well of Course!!” She was thrilled to give it to me!!! She said that it would be really helpful if I could do some free labor for her in trade of the ’92 Ford Explorer!!! I agreed heartily to the plan she set up, and started re-landscaping her yard to fit her needs. The Explorer needed some bodywork done because of the accident, and so, I checked into what my Aunts insurance was, and found out that because of the un-insured motorist law in California, all the bodywork was done at no charge to her or myself!!
God does care about our every need including the small things like a car or a life partner. He has already picked those out for each person. If God is in the middle of your “life partner decisions” you will not have to worry if this is the right one for you. Lean upon the Lord, test Him, see if He’ll do what He says He’ll do!!!
My Explorer is still running in good condition and is still a reminder to me on how good the Lord is to me – if I fully rely on His incredible power!!!
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