One of the challenges of Living on Less is finding and keeping reliable vehicles. Whether you are committed to living off one income, determined to stay out of debt or simply find yourself in a financial bind transportation can become a problem.
Our family is no different but we have experienced a few blessings in the midst of the challenges.
In November 2013 a friend graciously gave us a used Taurus station wagon (read more about that story here). At the time we also had a Ford Escort which my husband drove to work. Adding a second vehicle made my life much easier as I had been driving hours a day to get everyone to work and back.
In September 2014 the Escort stopped working and required repairs far greater than the value of the car so we were down to one car again. We sold it for $400 to a salvage dealer.
Then on February 14th of this year our station wagon was rear-ended while I was stopped in traffic (read more here). The car was undriveable which left us without a vehicle at all. We rented a car for a few days until we could figure out what to do.
On February 18th our insurance company declared the Taurus station wagon to be a total loss and gave us a check for $2000, which was fair for the age of the car but left us in a bind because finding a reliable car in our area for $2000 is very difficult. We are absolutely committed to not going into debt so getting a loan for a vehicle was out of the question. We called about a few cars for sale in local ads but they were always sold by the time we called.
We decided to pray and wait on God to provide a vehicle for us.
Trusting God for something as big as a car is risky and difficult but we had seen God’s faithfulness in giving us the station wagon in the first place and we knew that He could do it again.
Ten days later on February 24th friends called us to ask if we wanted their Honda Odyssey van because they had purchased a new one. Of course we accepted!
Was it difficult to wait 10 days for God to provide a vehicle? YES!
Are we glad we waited? YES!
We chose to spend $1300 of our insurance money for some preventative maintenance and non-essential repair items like fixing a broken power window motor and we also paid for our rental car. Now we not only have a newer, bigger and better vehicle, we were also able to put several hundred dollars into savings!
I love how The Message says it:
Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.”
Waiting on God always leads to something good in our lives.
Am I saying that God will give you a new car? He might.
What I am saying is that whatever you are trusting God for and waiting for, don’t give up hope. He will come through for you. And if you have a problem that you can’t solve, try inviting God in to help you. You might just be surprised.
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Yes, I am very grateful for good friends who are open to hearing God’s voice. Thanks for rejoicing with us Courtnie!
This is WONDERFUL!!!! Happy for you 🙂 Honda Odyssey’s are amazing vans, and will last forever with regular maintenance. And also, how amazing that God places wonderful people in your lives that have given you cars!
Thanks so much Anita!
In a society that thrives on instant gratification, it is so difficult to put that faith in God and be patient enough to wait. But you have a guarantee that He will be faithful to your believing. It’s pretty awesome even though it can be pretty difficult as well! I love when God blesses His people! Congratulations to you and your family!
What a wonderful post! So glad to hear of people living by faith. It is a reminder I often need, To simply live and trust.
Thank you
I am so glad I could encourage you! Thanks for taking the time to let me know. 🙂
God is who He says He is and will do what He says He will do! Sometimes the only thing on our part to do is wait. Love hearing stories of his faithfulness! Your faith pleases Him!
Thanks so much for your encouragement Michelle!
Your amazing stories of how God meets you where you are and provides are so encouraging, Kimberlee!! So happy for you. 🙂
Thanks Jami!!!! 🙂
God is awesome! I have seen Him do amazing things! I also don’t think this article could have come at a better time for me! We are in a period of waiting right now and its hard to give up…but we won’t! Even if the answer isn’t what we are expecting we know God will provide! Thanks again!
Yay! I am so glad that I could encourage you Elise. Yes, God will provide for you!
Awesome story! 🙂
Thanks Katy!
Yeaaaaaah Go God!!!! So awesome! 🙂 xo
Thanks Rachel!
Thanks Rachel!
WOW, you have some pretty awesome friends … led by a pretty awesome GOD! 🙂
Yes on both counts Conny!
So glad to hear this good news!
Thanks so much Amber!
God creates miracles when we hand the whole situation over to Him and stand on His Word. We have had 3 such miracles in the past 4 years! His ways are so much higher than ours.
That is a good word Cher – thanks!
God is SO Good! I Praise Him for such a great blessing on your family! And what a blessing that other family will receive for so willingly GIVING their van to you!
Yes, I have been praying that God seriously blesses them Krista!
This is awesome news Kimberlee! You deserve a break, and I’m glad you got one!
Thanks for being glad with us Claire! 🙂
I am so happy for you!! You are such a lovely person who helps so many of us with your informative blog and tips. Good things happen to good people and GOD IS GOOD!!! I wish you all bright days from here on in!
Thanks so much!
That is awesome how your family was blessed! ~Adrienne
Thank you Adrienne!
I am so very glad you posted this story. I am waiting for provision that will allow us a) to pay off debt we incurred when we trusted God less, and b) put us on a cash basis for every month even if we tithe and save. I so admire what you and your family are doing. You inspire me and you motivate me. Please pray with me that we will be patient as we wait for God’s perfect time.
I am so glad that I could encourage you Katherine! I pray right now that God will give you grace, patience and faith to wait on Him and wisdom to use your money in the best way. I just know that He is faithful and He will not let you down. Don’t give up hope!
Love, love, love!!! God is so good! You are a joyful, light bringing, faithful servant of the King. Love you!!
Wow, thanks Allie!
Wow, God is Good all the time….All the time God is good…..accidents are not fun, thankful you were not hurt badly….Praise him in the storm 🙂
So true Karen!