To Be Thankful Part 1: Unexpected Blessings
It was cold, after all it was mid January, and piles of snow sat in mounds in parking lots and Christmas trees were found lying across driveways. It had been a typical day at the office when an unexpected hour trek home for a forgotten possession prompted the dreaded engine light. The oil had leaked from his car, causing an emergency stop for enough oil to make it home. With a quart he picked up from a gas station, he filled up just to be nearly dry once he pulled into the apartment complex.
He made it home safely, and the following week had an appointment scheduled for a curious engine issue plaguing our 2014 Chevy Cruze.
Getting the car to the dealership was a miracle, though terrifying as we tried to make it before stalling out. We pulled into the parking lot with the oil he had just put in before leaving all but gone, and the hood smoking as we pulled into a parking space. It wasn’t even a lengthy drive. We got looks, but at least we had made it in one piece, safe and unharmed to the shop.
This whole ordeal was looking like a major disaster. We had just come off the loveliness of the holidays and had traded our money for gifts and food. A new repair bill was imminent and based on the condition of the car, it wouldn’t be cheap. Anyone knows that a car repair bill can hurt, especially if your budget is running tight due to other expenses. We braced for the blow, thankful for an emergency fund, but had to wait for a quote since the dealership was far behind and we fell to the bottom of their task wait list.
It wasn’t looking too good.
Over the phone when he called to set up the appointment, they’d told Zach they would provide a loaner vehicle for him to drive while they worked on his car. And expecting to come away with a beater they reserve for such situations as this, we were shocked when they asked if we were okay with borrowing a 2018 Black Chevy Silverado. Yes! We were totally cool with that! Maybe this is common practice among dealerships, but they didn’t have to give us the truck they did, and we were ecstatic to drive in a truck we hope to own one day.
You guys, we were able to drive that beast of a beautiful truck around for nearly 2 weeks! That thing was top notch, with all the bells and whistles you’d expect from a brand new vehicle with hardly any miles on it. At no extra charge to us we could enjoy a dream truck and all its features for 13 days.
I believe this was a miracle, an unforseen blessing, because not only did we shuffle around town with the brand new and ultra expensive Silverado, but the bill for our car repair was minimal compared to the cost we’d expected. It only set us back $114 for the repair and labor! Considering we were thinking 4 figures, we were thrilled.
Man, what an incredible experience that was! It was the most unexpected blessing, a positive outcome to a potentially difficult financial setback. We’d been thinking the worst, and something pretty cool came out of it.
It reminds me of our Father’s provisions. He provides during times when all hope seems lost, when securities are fraying, when your car needs repairs. He cares about the insignificant trials of our lives just as much as the larger ones of this world. And what a great comfort it is to know that.
Had we not had the car nearly break down on us we wouldn’t have been able to drive that Silverado home and wouldn’t have been floored by the incredibly low cost of the repair. Had we not been freaked about an enormous payment, we wouldn’t have witnessed and recognized the incredible blessing and workings of God. Out of something uncertain and dismal came a blessing we couldn’t have created ourselves or conjured up between us. It was from a loving Father who can use something as important to us and as irrelevant to everyone else to show that He provides.
Aren’t unexpected blessings wonderful? Too many times I’ve looked at a situation and thought the worst but came away with so much more than I ever planned. Good can come from hardships and inconveniences. Blessings can come from normal situations too, when you simply thought it would turn out one way but it turns out another.
What are some unexpected blessings you’ve experienced in your life? As we get ready to celebrate Thanksgiving, mull over those moments where God provided in a way you weren’t expecting. Find those times even if they’re buried between moments of pain or confusion. Unexpected blessings happen during wonderful phases of life too, so single them out and remember that God can change a seemingly certain situation. Nothing is too set in stone that He can’t change it.
Let’s chat in the comments!
Cheers!
