The day after Labour Day, my wife and I were returning from a lovely weekend away at our family cabin. Unfortunately, we were rear-ended in the rush-hour traffic, and the grey 2012 Toyota Matrix that I loved was written off as a total loss. Although I wondered how this could be one of "all things [that] work together for good for those who love God" (Romans 8:28a NKJV), I deliberately thanked Him in advance for what He was going to do, as He commands us to "give thanks in all circumstances". (1 Thessalonians 5:18a NIV)

Finding a similar vehicle was more difficult than I had first thought. I wanted a 2013 Matrix (the last year that they were made), but only 2% of them were all-wheel-drive (AWD) like mine had been. I was looking for a grey one with no more than 60,000 kilometres. The search of the auto websites over many weeks was discouraging and stressful, and I had to remind myself continually to thank God that He had it all under control.

After a month, I finally decided to look at a silver 2009 AWD Matrix with 115,000 kilometres for the price of my insurance settlement. It had been in several minor accidents, and a test-drive revealed that a broken motor mount had to be replaced before it could be purchased. Two weeks later, as I was poised to buy it, I opened my email to the Verse of the Day in graphic form:

Psalm 27:14 – Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord! (NKJV)

In the centre of the graphic, the word "WAIT" appeared in 3-centimetre-high capital letters that were impossible to ignore as a sign from God! After I had released the hold on the 2009 Matrix, the Lord reminded me that I had bought replacement insurance on my original car that would give me back what I had paid for it, plus five percent for each of the two years that I had owned it. Three weeks later, my benefit was approved, but the insurance company insisted that I had to deal with the Honda dealership from which I had purchased the insured vehicle. Meanwhile, I was out of the country visiting my son and family near New York City.

That very day, a vehicle exactly matching my ideal description was advertised at a Toyota dealer back home, but they would not release it to the Honda dealer until it had been in inventory for 90 days! It was really complicated, and I was out of town. I felt so helpless! It would take a miracle to actually purchase it. After a week, I remember writing an email to a lady who had been praying faithfully for months about my problem, and I told her that I had released the potential car to God to do whatever He wanted to do with it. Within five minutes, I received an email that the Honda dealership had agreed to allow me to buy the car from the Toyota dealer. I was immediately able to make arrangements to purchase the car a week later when I got home. It was a year newer, with 70,000 fewer kilometres and two model styles up from my previous vehicle — and all for the cost of a $600 documentation fee!

Whatever your situation, the same principles apply: Pray, giving thanks in your circumstance, thanking God that He has it all under control, releasing your situation into His hands to do what He will with it, and then waiting on the Lord! Such expressions of trust enable God to pour out upon us the very blessing that He intends!

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About the author:

Robin Ross <rross@telus.net>
Mission, British Columbia, Canada
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