I recently traded in my wife’s perfectly good, functioning car for another one. Why? You’ll have to ask her if you ever get the chance. She wasn’t thrilled but fortunately has learned to live with my “issues”. Suffice to say that while my intentions were good, things didn’t work out exactly how I planned.
Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.
– Proverbs 19:21
The new car is beautiful, inside and out. I prefer it over the previous one. Everyone who sees it comments on how nice it is, especially the professionals who have worked on it (I’ll get to that in a moment). In addition, we’ve been getting around 46 miles per gallon with it, which is simply incredible. The engineer in me is truly impressed that a full-sized sedan can pull that many miles out of a single gallon of gas. So far, so good, right? Here’s the catch. Starting from the day after I purchased it, it has smelled… badly.
I let the dealership know what was going on and they’ve been pretty good about paying for any detailing and/or cleaning that it needed. The first detailer got the residual doggie odors out of the cabin, which was great. However, there remains a lingering stench coming from the ventilation system. So, I brought it to a local dealer a couple of days ago, which is where it now sits, with its entire dashboard removed. My hope is that the technician locates the source of the smell and can eliminate it with enzymes, detergents, and an ozone machine.
It’s been a week and a half since I purchased the car and, as you might imagine, I’m discouraged. After all, a new car (new to us – it’s a 2019) ought to be a fun experience, not a bummer, right? I feel terrible about putting my wife through this discomfort when she had a car that she liked and didn’t have any issues whatsoever. She’s been driving my truck to work, which makes her nervous because it can be difficult parking into tight spaces.
While she has every right to give me a lot more grief than she has, she said something to me yesterday that has helped tremendously, “Ed, it’s just another test.” In other words, don’t be tempted to make it out to be more than what it is. It’s just a car (we are blessed to have two and will get through this issue without a hitch).
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
– 1 Corinthians 10:13
Just that one statement has given me proper perspective. As I like to say from my pulpit, “Deliverance is but a change of perspective away” and that change can literally take less than one second to happen. So, the new car smells bad and needs a little TLC to make it right. Big deal. On the grand scheme of things, is that anything to be depressed about???
But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.
– 1 Timothy 6:6-8
What’s interesting is that the Holy Spirit’s had me teaching my congregation about the value of encouragement as of late. It seems I need to listen to my own preaching and be encouraged even when self-inflicted wounds may tempt me towards ungodly wallowing. This car situation has also reminded me of the value of having others in my life who take the time to give me perspective, and ultimately, encouragement.
Perspective is everything. So, you bought a “smelly car”. Deal with it. Move on and spend your time wisely by being grateful for all the things the Lord has done for you (while you’re at it, read this blog, too: Why An Attitude of Gratitude Rocks!).
Love in Christ,
Ed Collins
PS: Thanks for putting up with my drama on this one – LOL