I really wasn't going to post a blog this week as it has really been a stressful weekend for me and I was just exhausted mentally. I have been in the middle of a family crisis that wore me down but thankfully it worked out fairly well. Won't go into those details but will tell you what made me decide to post anyway.
For a couple of weeks I have been dealing with a sick manual transmission in my little truck. It is 18 years old and has 185,000 miles on it. Amazingly it has never been in the shop for anything except regular maintenance so while I was hugely disappointed, I was not surprised.
The cost to repair it was staggering to me but like the mechanic said, "Do you like your truck? Do you want to keep it? Can you afford a new one?" My answers of yes, yes and no made me realize I was going to have to come up with the cash. Sigh.
During the family crisis I did a lot of praying for the involved members. While I was on my knees I almost offhandedly I asked Him if he could see fit to fix my little truck. He really did do an admirable job fixing the family crisis. Thank you, thank you.
Then as I was driving into town yesterday with my three gears--first, third and fifth, I shifted into my sick 2nd gear by reflex and it worked. Wow!! Excitedly I tried the missing 4th gear but no go. Ok, I thanked him big time for second gear anyway since I was going to have to limp along for the 3 weeks it would take to get a rebuilt transmission. Now I was only missing one gear. I could do this.
Then today when I went for my grocery pickup, I tried 4th gear again just for the heck of it. It went in smoothly and held perfectly. It had been jumping into neutral before. All the way in to town and back it shifted perfectly.
Perhaps He was just so happy to get a simple prayer to answer that he fixed my little truck. Or it could just be a fluke. Regardless he is getting the credit and grateful thanks from me.
Do you suppose it is possible with all the urgent prayers He is bombarded with today that he took time to fix my little truck? I'd like to think so.
Patti I'm keeping my fingers crossed that fourth gear holds! It's funny, just a few years ago I would have dismissed this without giving it a second thought. But the older I get, the more inclined I feel to give it real wonder. And I don't think a fourth gear is asking for too much! Well I am sorry to read about the stressful weekend family-wise, and I sure hope that's on the mend too. 🙂
ReplyDeleteDoug,
DeleteThank you so much. The family situation has gotten much better. Kind of wait and see for a while. Funny but I am with you on my attitude a few years ago. A few years ago I probably wouldn't have even asked the Big Guy. The 4th gear may be temporary but it came at a good time.
I see costly repairs in the future!! These days, the sticker price for a new/used vehicle is to say the least, shocking!! And being built with the lazy workers these days....nothing will last for 185,000 miles!! Bite the bullet when the time comes.
ReplyDeleteAnni,
DeleteI am sure I have only gotten a reprieve but am enjoying it. Pretty sure I will get it fixed and forget a new one for a while. This one may have a lot more miles left in it.
In these challenging (to say the least) times, a mechanical repair request no doubt sounded refreshingly easy to grant!
ReplyDeleteOlga,
DeleteI too was thinking He might have appreciated an easy one to fix in these trying times.
I'd say my prayers with a lot of gratitude if I were you, since you apparently are a favorite of the Universal Gear Fixer.
ReplyDeleteDjan,
DeleteOh I am being grateful. Even if it doesn't last, it gives me a stress break. Smiled at UGF.
I sure hope it works and the transmission holds out for you.
ReplyDeleteSue,
DeleteEven if it doesn't, I appreciate having one less thing to fret about for a while. We will see.
Go fourth and multiply...your turn.
ReplyDeleteJoeh,
DeleteThanks. Nice play on words. A solid fourth would be nice.
Hope your transmission holds and until you can get it rebuilt. Once it starts missing gears like that you don't want to damage it even more by letting it go too long.
ReplyDeleteGlad your family crisis is sorting itself out.
Jean,
DeleteI am holding off for now setting up the appointment to get it fixed. Think I will wait till it stumbles again. I had checked with the mechanic and he assured me I would not hurt anything by skipping gears. Haven't told him about the return of 2nd and 4 yet.
Whoever heard those prayers definitely came to the rescue. Lovely! I'm glad everything is working out in all ways.
ReplyDeleteRobin,
DeleteThanks so much. For now it may just be a brief reprieve but I am enjoying it.
Well people credit prayer for a lot of less worthy things. Keeping the truck going is important in my book.
ReplyDeleteAnnie,
DeleteI know. I have given Him credit before for strange happenings that he most likely had no hand in. I just know it came at a welcome time.
I would say your prayer was answered. I've been in sticky situations and things worked out when it shouldn't have. God has his eye on the sparrow.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad your family member is better.
Ann,
DeleteSometimes things are unexplainable unless you allow for devine intervention. This sparrow is so grateful that the family situatiion is better and my little truck was given a reprieve. One less worry.
You obviously have a way with words. Hope your family issues have been resolved and you can get some stress-free time for yourself.
ReplyDeleteFun60,
DeleteThank you so much. Many things are hopeful now. It really has been a stress reliever and I am very grateful.
I hope family and truck are doing very well today!
ReplyDeletePeg,
DeleteThank you!!! Today all is quiet in my little corner of the world.
I am just amazed at the power of prayer! Thank you, God, thank you!
ReplyDeletegigi,
DeleteMe too and I echo those thanks pretty regularly these days.
Glad to know your family situation is better now, Patti! Nothing like family concerns to boost the old stress levels. We've all been there. I think you'd better shift your truck over to the mechanic while it's still drivable.
ReplyDeleteFlorence,
DeleteYeah, especially when they are 800 miles away. You feel so helpless. As for my truck, I will drive it till it pops out of gear again. My mechanic said it would hurt nothing if I do. Hopefully he is right.
I (like Gigi) am always amazed at the power of prayer. Don't understand it... but know it happens. So, yes, I think it's possible.
ReplyDeleteRian,
DeleteI too believe in the power of prayer. The convincing thing was the timing. I prayed
Saturday and Sunday it was fixed and family was back on track.
Whatever fixed the issue is a good thing. My e brake is giving me conniptions at the moment. Got it working again with a hard stomp on the regular brake but I don't want to drive it until mechanic looks at it. Of course being a long weekend nothing is open until tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your transmission and family issues.
Eileen,
DeleteDon't you hate it when things happen on the week end and a holiday at that. Hope you can get some service tomorrow.
So far, all my problems are doable.
Anything we do that brings us peace is a positive! And when it the situation improves, that's even better. I'm so sorry about the family *stuff*; as you know I've been dealing with that too, off and on. I join you in celebrating the revival of your 4th gear. Woo hoo!
ReplyDeleteMargaret,
DeleteI know you have been dealing also with family "stuff" too. Hope yours is smoothing out.
So far I am one day into the easier road here.
So glad to hear some of your issues have been resolved, especially involving your people. 185K miles??? I have Honda Odyssey, 8 years old and 40,000 miles. Hoping this is my last car because I love it. Planning on retiring from driving at age 80.
ReplyDeleteTAW,
DeleteThank you so much and me too, especially about the family. The vehicle fix was an additional a stress remover.
Goodness your Honda isn't broken in yet:) I had thought the same as you but here I am going on 83 and still loving to drive.
I'd definitely like to think so, too!!
ReplyDeleteRita,
DeleteThat is much more plausible than just coincidence isn't it?.
I'm going with fluke and suggesting you start saving for the repair which may not be needed soon, but will eventually.
ReplyDeleteRiver,
DeleteYou are probably right but it is nice to think the Big Guy might be watching and helping.
Nice little story. But remember, God helps those who help themselves, so I'm guessing you got a temporary absolution but probably ought to get to the mechanic before Sunday.
ReplyDeleteTom,
ReplyDeleteHadn't thought about it being a temporary fix but the timing was perfect and hopefully it will last the 3 weeks it will take to get a rebuilt one.
Yes, I am so thankful God cares even about our wonky transmissions. Glad you recognized it and gave him credit and thanks!
ReplyDeleteIf anybody should have their prayers answered, it would be you, Patti. I'm glad your truck is working, but I hope you will get it fixed for sure.
ReplyDeleteWithout a doubt!
ReplyDeleteGraciously accepting your good luck is a big part of getting it !
ReplyDeleteI think anything is possible. And I'm sure glad your little truck is running better.
ReplyDeleteYes I do believe it’s possible! I cannot tell you how happy I am today to see that you are still blogging after all these years!
ReplyDeleteSweet Patti I cannot tell you how many times over the years I have thought of you and have missed reading your stories on here.
Not sure you remember me it’s been so long ago. I had the blog Just Between Me and You.
It’s Maggie aka Grandmayellowhair!
I believe God watches out for us and listen to our prayers even the silent ones.
I am looking forward to spending a quiet evening catching up on you and enjoying your writing.
You were always one of my favorite blogger and friends! I miss my blog and the many friends I made over the years.
Love
Grandmayellowhair
Maggie,
ReplyDeleteOf course I remember you and have missed you so much. You won't believe it but just today, I was looking at the bottom of my reading list at bloggers that no longer blog. I saw your blog and I thought,"Oh how I hope she just got burned out and is doing just fine."
Don't have an email address for you so I hope you check this out.
You had such a fun blog and I so looked forward to your posts and comments. Think you ought to get back in the game. Thank you for making my day today. Do take care my friend and keep in touch. You have been missed so much.
Love Patti