Here in Micronesia, a car is not exactly necessary for daily life. However, getting around on the island is nigh impossible without some sort of reliable transportation. And though the cars may have the steering wheel on the wrong side, or lack basic safety features (seat belts, etc) they are valuable.
That is why a branch president here in one of the smaller islands was grateful to receive his sister’s hand-me-down car. The engine ran hot. Sometimes it stalled out. The doors and windows didn’t all work properly. The hot tropical air seemed relentless as the air conditioning was broken. It appeared that the car was just barely on the salvageable side of a scrap heap. And the branch president could not be more thrilled to receive it.
On the first ride it was clear that this car was on its last leg...er, wheel. Rather than put a bullet to its hood, the president decided to wear it to the ground. After using it for his personal needs, he soon realized that the blessing of transportation would better suit his flock than himself.
Soon, the car was devoted to bringing up, or really, bringing forward the gospel at about 30 miles per hour daily. Shortly after the car was dedicated to the work of the Lord, it seemed that the Lord was dedicated to working the car. The engine one day stopped sputtering. It was no longer a gamble as to whether or not the car would start. The doors and windows suddenly one day started to open and close as they should.
The blessing of the car seemed complete when one day the air conditioner kicked on and began supplying cool air for the weary travelers. Amazingly, the branch president had done no work to the car. Not once had he even gone as far as to look under the hood. There was no mechanical consultant to prolong the vehicle’s life. It was nothing short of a miracle.
Had the story stopped here, it would be an Ensign submission. You know me; I can’t leave it on the obvious. Once word got back to the sister who first gave the car to the branch president, she decided maybe the car wasn’t something to give away after all. You guessed correctly. Now that the car was in perfect working order, she was ready to take it back.
Well, it is her car, after all. What can any one do? Hm...Is it wrong to pray that a car breaks down on someone?
1 comment:
I have been reading the book of Psalms lately, and from that it seems perfectly acceptable to ask the Lord to smite you enemies that their seed may not continue past the current generation. And then ask the Lord to give strength to do it. Got to love the Old Testament
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