Of Batteries and parking spaces

I've been putting off my car registration.

I haven't been up to par, so I've been in bed mostly.  Yesterday was the due date.  So I went out to my car, papers in hand.

The battery was dead.

I called AAA, bless their hearts, and  a nice young man arrived shortly thereafter.  He hooked up his instrument - then double checked it to see if it was even working because - drum roll please- not only had the battery died temporarily, it had died permanently.  Can't hold a charge.  Nothing.  Nada. Zip.

Sigh. 

Ok.  What can I do? I asked hopefully (please let there be a simple, painless answer!!)

THERE WAS!!!

The nice young man (hereafter known as NYM)  had come prepared with a battery (desert heat kills batteries on average in 2 years.  Because I don't drive often, mine lasted 4)  He was able to change it out for me in about a half hour and I was on my way.

I had to get a smog check.  Usually this entails at least a half hour or more, depending on the crush, at a hot smelly garage (no offense to car magicians).  A new "Speedy smog" kiosk had opened near home so I thought I'd try it.  Five painless minutes late I was done! 

but  - it failed the test.

AAAAAAAAAAck!  Lord, Help!

This NYM explained that it could be from a new battery or....THAT'S IT! I cried, I HAD ONE PUT IN TODAY!!!

"Today?" he said, astonished. " Lady, it takes a week to two weeks of driving for the gases of a new battery to clear out enough to pass this test."

Aghast, I replied forlornly, "ummm, it's due today..."

The NYM told me not to worry, just go to the DMV and get an extension.  It's early in the day, the DMV is still open.

"just' go get an extension.

Our DMV has lines millions of people long ( at least it feels that way)  You often spend hours waiting to be called. And the parking reflects it.

We joined the pack of circling sharks looking for a space.  Cars were left, hap-hazard and illegally parked all over the place.  I prayed out loud, asking God to help.

And - BOOM!!! - right in front of me a car pulled out - and it was in the shade!!  Hosanna!!  Praise You Lord! 

My sil (sister in law) was with me, and she pushed my wheelchair thru the door, to the end of a long h/c info line. This state cares about h/c folks, and has a special line.  The line is shorter( but sometimes it feels longer.)

A NYMguard arrived and said," ma'am "(ick)" the h/c line is now over there" and pointed us to a line marked h/c and there was only one person there.

He was short, to the point, and done.

The exhausted, bored, overworked, hard-looking gent barked "NEXT!"

I explained my situation-"youwantanextension" he broke in.  He turned to his computer, punched in some numbers, printed it out, stamped it , told me to post it in the right-hand back window of my car -

AND I WAS THROUGH!!

Less than 10 minutes had elapsed since parking.

Since I became ill, it has never ceased to amaze me how lovingly He provides for me.  On good days, I may have to walk a bit, things may take a little longer.  But when I"m really not doing well, parking spaces appear miraculously.  Crusty people become sweethearts.  Needed batteries appear from emergency aid trucks.  And trees grow for years just to shade my vehicle on a hot end-of-summer day in the desert.

What an awesome God we serve!  He showers blessings on the most undeserving people - like me - and smooths rough spots, straightens roads, and makes trees grow, just there.

My heart falls, face down, before Him, in thankful worship.

Spend just a moment thinking of the blessings that crop up in your day, often even unasked for - they don't happen by chance. 

Someone is thinking of you with love.

And that Someone is named Jesus.