The Ol' Horse Has Died

When son#2 was in high school, I found him a 1989 Ford Bronco. Yes, it was old, yes, it had a lot of miles on it, but it just looked like him. The body was in great shape as well as the interior. It drove well, it was in our price range and so Chris became the proud owner of the red horse, Thunder Horse his buddies named it.

Christopher smiled from  ear to ear from the day he got it. After awhile the air conditioner stopped working, but Chris didn't seem to mind. When the ceiling material shredded and started to hang down on his head, he didn't seem to mind. It developed a terrible oil leak. Every time Chris arrived somewhere, his horse smoked and smelled. Chris never once complained. The ol' horse would break down in town several times. It had to be towed several times. My husband would have to come home after working all day and replace something on it, work on it while I prayed over it.

The other day Chris drove out to a buddy's home and we received that dreaded phone call again. The horse died in their driveway. Husband said it had used it's last life. It was time to put it out to pasture. It had done it's job. It got Chris through high school and through two years of college.

The Lord led us to a beauty of a car. Much newer, no oil leaks and much better with the gas mileage. And it was also in our price range. It now sits in our driveway where the ol' horse used to sit but Chris doesn't have that same ear to ear smile. He is very grateful, but I know how he feels.

Husband and son took Thunder Horse to the junk yard. You would have thought they were in a funeral procession. There is just something about falling in love with your first car, even if she is old and letting go is hard. But sometimes it just has to be done.

Letting go of something we love is hard. So I ponder. . .what are the lessons here?

1.  Our identity should not be in our things, cars, homes, bank accounts, etc.
2.  When the item is gone, we will always have the memories in our heart.
3.  Be thankful for what we have but do not become attached to it.
4.  Be thankful for what we had and move on with what God provides
5. There are more important things in life than. . .things.
6.  We should be content with what is provided for us

I may at times need to go over this list but my son#2 doesn't. He never once complained about his ol' horse and he didn't complain when we brought in the new one. He is very humble and respectful and he knows his identity is in Christ and all who know him would tell you that.

I don't blame him for being a little sad. It's a part of living. . .to let go. There will be harder things down the road for him to let go of. I pray this simple time of letting go prepares him for those bigger ones. I'm pretty confident he will be ok.

In the mean time, he's getting used to his new ride, FLASH.  I have a feeling things will be just fine.

 

 

 

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