God Must Hate Clean Cars

I am convinced at this point that God hates clean cars. My bald head is still red from spending over two hours washing two months of filth from both of our vehicles. It was with some pride that I looked over my labor. Washing a car has always given me a feeling of order. Each section is cleaned and scoured. I am in total control as I start at the top and work my way down. It's all according to my plan, my order, my schedule, and my way of doing things.

Both vehicles sit outside now pristine and shiny. Even the wheels shine with an almost unearthly glow. Yes, those are two perfect looking vehicles. It's all because I walked outside and made them submit to my whims and plans.

I sit here now and glare skyward at huge storm clouds approaching. The rumble of thunder lets me know that soon those unsullied vehicles will receive a deluge of water from an ominous storm front. Looking heavenward I'm almost asking, "God, why are you doing this? Don't you want me to drive clean cars? What do you have against me?"

At this point, I realize what I fool I really am. Am I really thinking that my plans, my order, my will, and my schedule can be better than His? While I look up and fume at the thought of raindrops sullying my labor, do I even consider that perhaps this rain is coming as a direct result of someone else's prayer? Am I so aggravated with God because He dares to interrupt my schedule? I realize at this point that perhaps I'm not so far down the road as I believe.

How much do I really trust God's timing, scheduling, and will? If I find it difficult to accept His hand in something as trivial as this, how will I ever accept His direction in the larger areas of my life? How can I exhort people to trust the hand of God if I myself grouse and complain like a spoiled brat because God dares to rain on my parade?

I remind my congregation that this walk of faith is not about us, it's about Him. Now God Himself has to remind me of this as I watch the rain pelt my plans. I now look out and think, "Okay, Lord, I don't have to like or understand everything You bring into my life. I just have to trust You." I remember reading not long ago that doubt and unbelief occurs when we don't realize exactly how much God loves us.

Okay, God, you rain on my cars. You love me. I want to be one thing, but You want to transform me into something else, something better. You love me. I want to go one direction, but you lead me in another path. You love me.

All of a sudden the rain doesn't look as bad as it did originally. Why do I now feel like singing that old song, "There Shall Be Showers of Blessing?"