it's just me...

…again. Not TLC. Because I wanted to share something I thought was amazing! And give Y’all a heads up about something that happened to me that was quite disturbing.

Let me begin with the “heads up:"

I’m on my third Toyota vehicle in eleven years. Two Avalons and now, for the past year and a half, a Highlander. I’ve loved them all. I really like the dealership we purchased the last two from—the salesmen and the service guys. Tremendously.

In eleven years, I have never, ever, EVER, NEVER once locked my keys in any of these vehicles. NEVER. Until this past Sunday afternoon.

I needed to go to town for some printer ink. We’re making lots of copies of paperwork/documents and we can’t afford to be out of the outrageously expensive ink. I also had a list of six items I’d pick up at Wally World. My first stop was Staples (One of Little Leighton’s favourite stores!). I got out of my Highlander. Hit the inside door lock button as I shut the door and then just happened to check to make sure it locked. (Because, Y’all, I frequently THINK I have my keys when I don’t. They’re in one of the cupholders. Or up on the dash. Or in my console. And my car WON’T LOCK with the keys inside. Right?) As I checked the door, it should have done one of two things:

1.     Opened up if I didn’t have my keys; or

2.     Opened because I DID HAVE MY KEYS.

It did NOT OPEN. I got a chill. I tried at least six times. I eventually realized something was VERY WRONG.

More backstory:

As I started my car in our garage—before I left our country casa for these errands—I realized I’d forgotten to get my phone. I left my car running—ran in to retrieve said phone—and then returned to said Highlander—leaving for town.

SOOO……the keys were either in my car or I’d mistakenly taken them into our house and not realized it because I’d already started my car.

I couldn’t see my keys from the driver’s window. I went around to the other side. Still couldn’t spot them.

By The Way: IT WAS FREEZING COLD.

I thanked my Dear Lord God Almighty that my cellphone wasn’t also locked in my car. I called My Sweet Hubby (aka MSH). A call I dreaded to make. He’d worked so hard packing over at the barn all day. When I left, he was sitting on the couch. Exhausted.

As calmly as I could, I told him what had just happened. As MSH has done for me for over forty-one years, he said: “I’ll get your extra keys and be right there.” I then started crying. Which was useless. It wasn’t going to change my situation.

Knowing it would take MSH at least fifteenish minutes to get to me, I went on into the store. Roamed a few aisles. Watched my watch. Checked out, with the ink, right as I thought it should be time he would arrive. I then went to the window at the front of the store—by the front doors—to watch for him.

I met him as he found my car and got out of his truck. He hit the unlock button on the extra keys. It opened. And there they were. My keys were in the front cupholder. Where they’ve been hundreds of times in the past as I’ve tried to lock my car(s).

WHAT THE HECK?

This is NOT a good thing. I called TLC on my way home—told her what had transpired (She’s on her second Highlander in seven years.)—and begged her to make SURE she never let this happen to her. ESPECIALLY if Little Leighton and Baby Elle were with her.

I intended to call the dealership yesterday and then today…to ask them WHY? What? How? I forgot. Planning to remember tomorrow. Suffice it to say I will be BEYOND CAREFUL. (At least for a few weeks. Sheesh.)

Now…the AMAZING thing:

Yesterday was our closing for our new home. We drove to Plano. About an hour and forty-five minutes from our casa. East. The closing was easy. Breezy. Wonderful! Our fantastic realtor met us there. (We adore her!) She and the title company’s “Closer” were kind and sweet and fun. Helpful. SOOO smart. Encouraging. It was a fabulous experience.

I’d woken up at my usual time…5 a.m. I did my usual routine…read a few pages of the Bible. (I’m re-reading Galatians.) Read from my four devotional and special prayers’ books. Then, as I always do at the end of this process, I opened my Jesus Calling (By Sarah Young) to November 19^th. This is what I read:

LEAVE OUTCOMES UP TO ME. Follow Me wherever I lead, without worrying about how it will all turn out. Think of your life as an adventure, with Me as your Guide and Companion. Live in the now, concentrating on staying in step with Me. When our path leads to a cliff, be willing to climb it with My help. When we come to a resting place, take time to be refreshed in My Presence. Enjoy the rhythm of life lived close to Me.

You already know the ultimate destination of your journey: your entrance into heaven. So keep your focus on the path just before you, leaving outcomes up to Me.

PSALM 27:13-14; EXODUS 15:13

Y’all. Seriously? This on the morning of our closing for our third in over forty years—and hopefully final—home? This on a morning of deep curiosity as to our future? Our new adventure?

This as the perfect reminder of why I believe in God and Jesus. The perfect example of God’s Grace. Of His Plan. Of: Thy Will Be Done.

THANK YOU, Jesus!

Sending each of Y’all some BIG OLE HUGS for a week of adventure. A week full of focus. A week of refreshment. A week of NO WORRIES.

Smooch,

ELC