Gratefulness

I had an unhappy surprise waiting for me when I went to my car this morning. It was parked on the street, and someone left about a four-foot-long scrape across both driver's side doors. I've spent the rest of the day struggling to be grateful. You see, I gave up the past two weekends working, earning $500...exactly the amount of my deductible. So while I know that God provided me with that work for just this purpose, I had my plans for that money!

What a great reminder that my plans are not always His plans, but His plans are perfect. So I'll sigh and say thank you and rest in the knowledge that despite my reluctant and struggling heart, I am fully loved and accepted by Him.

And my new winter wardrobe will have to wait.

As an aside, the Jettas in my life are apparently cursed. When I lived in northern Italy, I bought a brand new 2000 Jetta. Here were the troubles it encountered:

• when it was one month old, someone smashed my passenger window and stole my purse while I was at dinner
  
• when it was six months old, it was vandalized while my mom was visiting--keyed down both sides, both side view mirrors broken, and three tires slashed (we had to tour Europe with electrical tape holding the mirrors on)
  
• when I returned to the States it was parked on the street in Denver, and someone smashed into the back of it then abandoned the stolen vehicle they were driving
  
• i slid on ice turning into my driveway in Colorado Springs, ran into the 10-inch-high curb, and busted the radiator

Now this 2011 Jetta is four months old, and in addition to today's scrape-up, I've already had to replace a tire that picked up a screw somewhere. So, Lord, it's your car, and I'm grateful to have it. If you want it to be banged up, that'll just have to be ok with me! :-)