This is our new car – it is supposed to be my car but today was the first opportunity I have had to drive the it even though we bought it several weeks ago. My husband, John has driven it many times and I have ridden in the VW GTI with him. I even read the short owners manual. It seemed easy enough. After all, it’s automatic and I am used to driving a manual. I preferred driving the car instead of the car driving me. It is even keyless so it should be a piece of cake. Right?

Wrong! I had a 6:30 appointment  to meet with Tim the sound guy at Church. John was on a motorcycle trip but had planned to get home in time to drive me to Church. Around 5:00 John called to let me know he was still at least an hour and a half away so I would get to drive to Church.

Yes! I finally get to drive the new car. Fortunately, this was a good afternoon for me. No vertigo, no migraine and I had spent two hours warming up and practicing the music for tomorrow’s solo. At 6:00 I grabbed my purse and headed for the garage.

One great feature of the new car is the electric seats raise me up enough to see (Have I mentioned I’m only 4’8?) and goes forward enough for me to reach the pedals. I smiled as the door unlocked as soon as I came into range without having to push a button or use the key. I got into the car and pushed the “start” button.

Seat adjusted, mirrors adjusted, seat belt lowered to fit, cell phone linked with the Bluetooth. All set. Ready to go.

I opened the garage door and shifted to Reverse, disengaged the emergency brake and…Nothing!

‘Okay Lord, I know You provided the opportunity to sing for you. Please help me get the car to move so that I will get to Church in time to practice. I know it’s something simple but it’s a mystery to me.”

I tried again, put the gear in reverse, smiled at the buzzing sound from the little back up camera and put my foot on the accelerator. You guessed it. Nothing!  “Okay Lord. Change of plans. It’s 6:25. I’ll drive John’s Hyundai.

Everything went smoothly after that. (If you don’t count parking crooked in the almost empty parking lot.) I even stopped at the Bean Tree Coffee Shop to buy sandwiches for dinner. Parallel parking wasn’t a joyful experience when I got home but I’ve seen worse.

When John came home, he enlightened me. In order for the car to start, one must hit the brake and the starter button simultaneously. Ugh~ Why didn’t I think of that? I had read the short guide when we first got the car and our salesman had taken each of us through all of the features, including starting the car so why did I forget? I had only read the manual or guide once and had listened to the expert once and thought I knew it. I didn’t.

How often do we just breeze through our devotions, quickly scanning God’s Word while thinking, I know this passage, this Bible story, this verse and even pause at the margin notes and yet, forget?

How often do we listen to preaching or teaching of the Word but fail to apply His Word to our everyday life? Too often.

Just like the car that wouldn’t start because I failed to follow directions.

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God. A workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth.”

(II Timothy 2:15)

In the margin beside this verse I have written:

• Read
• Memorize
• Meditate
• Communicate

Dear Father,

Open my eyes that I may see the Truth in Your Word. That the Holy Spirit will teach me something new in Your Word today.

Open my ears  hear and truly listen as Your Word is taught by our Pastors. Enable me to memorize and comprehend as I hide Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against You. I pray, Father, that You will communicate Your Word and Your love through me that Christ may be glorified. Help me, Lord, to not lose sight of the “little things” that are so important.

In Jesus name,

Amen.

What am I singing tomorrow night?

“O, Rejoice in the Lord; He makes no mistakes. He knoweth the end of each path that I take. For when I am tried and purified, I shall come forth as gold.” Ron Hamilton

Have a blessed Sunday!

Kathy