We gave away our free car.

Just typing that feels surreal, but if receiving the car taught me anything, it was that it was never about the car.

You can read Our Free Car Story here. The car was a catalyst that shifted the landscape of my soul to have hope. It came when I was feeling stuck, overwhelmed and wondering how long my story would remain trapped in this season. One person’s generosity changed everything.

Stories change in an instant. 

We intuitively know this and vividly remember the moments of change in our own lives, for better or for worse. Each of us has the power to create or destroy life within those around us. I’m still amazed at what the gift of a free car did within me and in our lives to ease the burden of sharing a car amidst sharing a living space with family.

The nudge to give the car away came after praying for a dear friend on a Saturday night and the following Friday morning I drove to her apartment to drop off the keys and title. When the gentle nudge came to give the car away, I wanted to keep it. As Jon and I processed through the nudge I received that week I often thought of Jonah. He could have celebrated God’s goodness and kindness to the Ninevites, but instead he choose to nurse a grudge and long for his own way. I didn’t want to miss the celebration.

As the week progressed and I prepared for the Friday morning drop off, a peace settled over my soul.

The car was already hers and just as God had prepared it for me, an unexpected gift of hope, He had prepared it for her, an unexpected gift of hope. When I reflect on my life, I see His gifts scattered across the twists and turns of my story. Although I did not always see them in the moment, looking back I see His gentle provision.

A few hours before dropping off the car, Jon called to let me know that his next internship for school would be less than 5 minutes away. #GodsGrace This would make sharing a car much more bearable as I could drop him off and pick him up at work. #UnexpectedGift

No person is an island and as we weave our words onto paper and weave our time into a life, we impact those around us.

What I’ve learned from receiving and giving away our free car is that whether we are on the giving or the receiving end, generosity transforms the deepest parts of our souls. Sometimes it is more difficult to receive than to give, but often we are called to both.

In all my years of service to my Lord, I have discovered a truth that has never failed and has never been compromised. That truth is that it is beyond the realm of possibilities that one has the ability to out give God. Even if I give the whole of my worth to Him, He will find a way to give back to me much more than I gave.  –Charles Spurgeon

Is there anything you feel God is nudging you to give or receive today? Following Him will only give you an even better story and life.

Thank you for journeying with me.

Deanne