Wednesday, October 29, 2014

$4.80 Repentance



We were recently on the road again, this time to WV (State slogan – “Wild and Wonderful”). Little did I know upon our embarking that the first part of our trip would be more wild than wonderful. It all began with a quick stop-off for breakfast; upon leaving the restaurant, my coffee went from being carefully contained within its Styrofoam container to being bumped and thus freely flowing down my arm. Fortunately for me, I was wearing a light coat and so I ripped off the now wet and stained garment, threw it in the back of the vehicle and subsequently slammed the trunk closed. Words were then shared (mostly loud and one-directional) and then we were off again.

Life was “good” for the next 17 miles…until I realized we were quickly approaching the first of three toll booths along our route. At $2 per toll, 6 booths round-trip, that’s $12 total. While a bit aggressive on the fee, it’s alright because I have my trusty EZ-Pass automatic toll transponder stuck to my windshield. Oh wait, that’s right I don’t have that transponder after all. Months back it fell off its adhesive strip, and so when I decided to take my more fuel efficient vehicle on a previous trip to Michigan, I brought along the transponder just in case I needed it and of course forgot to put it back in the present vehicle. That’s okay, we have cash; NOT, who carries cash with them anymore? What in the world are we going to do?

As we near the toll booth I realize I do have $4 in my wallet, but that won’t be enough to clear all the tolls. Perhaps they take credit cards; in case you’re wondering for future reference that would be a NO! “We only take cash, sir, but don’t worry, you can do a no-pay and we’ll send you a bill along with a $5 surcharge per toll.” Are you kidding me? My $12 in tolls just went to $42? I decide to just pay $2 here and then find an ATM at one of the travel stops along the way. At this point you can only imagine how grace-filled my exit from the toll booth was! And now for the icing on the cake…I had put my wallet on the dash to more easily manipulate the opening and closing of it at the toll booth. Now, as I went to return the rejected credit card to its rightful place within the left tri-fold of the wallet, the entire contents of my wallet spilled out between my seat and the center console. With a gentle (or not-so-gentle as you’ve probably picked up on) toss, I heaved my lifeless wallet to the floorboard in front of me.

At that moment I began having a pity party and the only person invited was me. “Are you kidding me Lord? Here we are trying to share Your story with Your church and look at this morning. First my coffee; then the toll booths; now the wallet. Don’t you care?” God remained silent for a long time; at least I couldn’t hear him for a while. About 2 miles before I was supposed to pull off at the next travel stop (to get cash out of the ATM for the remaining tolls) I sensed the Holy Spirit beckoning me to look at the GPS and rethink our route. (HINT: this is where God’s humor and provision come in) As I look at the GPS, telling me I’m getting off the toll road in 5 miles, I quickly realize (because we travel this way often) that the other two toll booths are beyond my exit. Sure enough, as we got off Exit 48 we paid a measly $0.40 toll, which Christy had in her purse.

“Wait a minute Lord…are you telling me that even though I forgot the EZ-Pass and even though I only had $4 in cash (and I don’t usually have any), you’ve made it be enough?” I have to tell you, there was plenty of repentance and forgiveness-asking going on in that car. First and foremost, to my Lord and Savior and to my Great Provider. Secondly, to my wife who took the brunt of my frustration. Lastly, to my boys who had been left a terrible example of how to respond to adversity.

If you’ve ever wondered if your prayers for us make a difference, let this past Sunday be case-in-point that they most definitely do. It was your prayers that brought me to repentance over $4.80. It was your prayers that helped me battle back against the enemy. It was your prayers that saved the morning and the day for the Kingdom of God and for what God wanted to accomplish in our hearts and in the hearts of the folks we shared with. Thanks for your continued prayers for the V-Team; prayers that we (particularly I) would respond more healthily and God-honoring during adversity.

Grateful for you,
Barry

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