The Car

It was hard to believe that the shiny car my husband Steve brought home for a test drive was eight years old and only had 65,000 miles on the odometer. It was immaculately clean and had been carefully maintained by Gary, one of my husband’s co-workers, who was selling it. While the color and model of the car were not exactly what we would have preferred, it was fuel efficient and the price was right, so we bought it.

As time went on, Steve began wishing he had passed on Gary’s offer. While the car ran very well and was mechanically sound, it was very small and low to the ground, making it a tight fit for Steve’s lanky frame. It was tight under the hood as well, making maintenance a challenge. Finally Steve decided to sell the car and look for a larger one to make his long commute to work more comfortable.

We put an ad in the local newspaper. A week went by and no one called about the car. “Give the car to Liz,” a phrase floated into my mind one day. Liz was a Christian friend of some 20 years with whom I was able to share my faith on an intimate level. We also shared many personal details about our lives including the serious financial issues that were putting a heavy strain on Liz’s marriage.

To add to her stress, Liz’s husband, Al, was having some physical symptoms that concerned her. Al denied there was anything wrong and completely ignored her repeated pleas to see a doctor. Liz was at the end of herself. There were bills piling up, Al’s symptoms were getting worse, and his old car was in need of major repairs which they could not afford.

“Give the car to Liz.” There it came again. Was that the Lord speaking in a very still, small voice? How could I ask Steve to do that? He worked overtime to be able to buy the car with cash. “No,” I thought. Though it seemed like a good thing to do, it was just too much to ask.

Because Steve works his nursing shift in the evening, he takes his quiet time for prayer and Bible reading about mid-morning each day. I happened to take a day off from work to catch up on a project, and I took my quiet time in an adjoining room. To my complete surprise, Steve opened the door, walked into the room and said, “I think we should give that car to Liz and Al.”

I called Liz at work the next morning. “Liz, I have something I want to tell you. Just listen… Steve and I have decided to give you something; don’t say no, just accept it. We want Al to have that car we’ve been trying to sell.”

Liz was speechless at first—then she became very emotional. “I can’t believe this,” her voice was barely audible. “I was awake all night praying about what to do with Al’s car.” She paused for a moment and said, “But we couldn’t possibly accept your offer—it’s just too much.”

I told her about what I heard and how God put it on Steve’s heart too. “If God wants us to do this, you have to take it,” I insisted.
“Well I’ll talk to Al tonight, but I don’t think he’ll feel right about accepting it,” Liz replied.

Knowing Al, I also began to doubt that he would take it, especially since he was not in a position to reciprocate in any way. “What could I do to make this an offer he can’t refuse?” I prayed. I stayed at my desk during my lunch hour and drafted a letter. The words just flowed. I told Al to take the car on one condition—that he promise before the Lord to go to a doctor and submit to any necessary tests to find out what was wrong with his health. “You owe it to Liz,” I wrote. “She’s worn out from worrying.”

Al was still young in his faith, but he had been walking with the Lord long enough to know the importance of being a good Christian husband. He also knew how much he needed a new car. When he received the letter he took it to his weekly Christian men’s group and they all prayed about it.

Al finally took the car. He also went to the doctor and was diagnosed with a serious, but treatable illness. Two years later the car is still running and Liz and Al are grateful for the Lord’s intervention and His healing power.

The newspaper ad for the car ran for two weeks. We never got any calls.